Cultural Connections: SEK International School Students Embrace INTL

¡Bienvenidos al Silicon Valley, estudiantes de SEK! Exchange students from Spain were recently welcomed to Silicon Valley International School (INTL) by several of INTL's 7th and 8th Grade students. Much like INTL, SEK International School Catalunya is a well established International Baccalaureate (IB) school, with multiple language programs. SEK students spent two weeks attending classes alongside their hosts, as well as experiencing the Bay Area on excursions with their host families. Hosting foreign exchange students allows INTL students to view their own culture through another perspective as well as practicing language skills.

Teague M. (8th Grade INTL Student) shared some thoughts on the experience: "It was a great experience for me to learn about the lifestyle of Spain and learn to speak Spanish more fluently from a native speaker. I loved the opportunity to host an exchange student and to show him the things in California that are special to me. I am highly looking forward to being able to learn more about the culture and lifestyle in Barcelona, along with eating the delicious food." 

As the premier bilingual international school on the West Coast, INTL prides itself on an educational program which encourages both academic rigor and a lifelong love of learning. In addition to INTL’s award-winning Chinese, French, and German bilingual immersion programs spanning Preschool through 12th grade, INTL also offers Upper School students additional language acquisition options, including expanding into Spanish. Many of INTL’s Upper School students take the opportunity to learn a third (or in some cases, fourth) language. For incoming INTL Upper School students without bilingual immersion experience, INTL provides an opportunity to combine the breadth and depth of an IB education with the expertise of language acquisition through the Upper School Language Acquisition (USLA) program for students beginning in 6th Grade.

Later this year, the SEK students will return the favor by hosting a visit by INTL students in Spain. INTL’s cultural immersion and exchange trips are a treasured opportunity for INTL students to explore the globe, fully immerse themselves in local language and culture, and put into practice the language skills they have cultivated through INTL's language programs. 

In addition to academics and language skills, INTL’s partnerships with schools around the globe offers our students chances to build lifelong friendships. The cultural exchanges and shared experiences foster bonds that transcend borders and may last a lifetime. These connections have the potential to promote international collaboration and understanding in the years to come. INTL was happy to host friends from SEK and looks forward to seeing them again soon!