Southern Local students to travel to Spain and France in 2027

Southern Local High School students will travel abroad next spring, visiting Paris and several cities in Spain as part of a 10-day educational trip.

Spanish Club adviser Karla Calderon said 25 students, faculty and family members are scheduled to participate in the March 26-April 4, 2027, journey in collaboration with the travel company Explorica. Additional signups are expected in the coming weeks, and members of the Southern Local community may register up to 110 days before departure.

The trip will include stops in Madrid, Barcelona and Paris, giving travelers the opportunity to experience the culture and atmosphere of each destination.

“As a language learner myself, I understand that when students experience firsthand how the language connects them to real people and experiences, their Spanish class becomes a real-life tool, not just an academic subject,” Calderon said.

To help offset costs, Spanish Club members will host fundraisers throughout the year, including monthly Latin Night fajita dinners, bake sales, hot dog sales, raffles and car washes. The club also plans to seek sponsorships from businesses across the county.

“Our fundraisers seek to support our traveling students, each of whom has their personal fundraising page set up through Explorica. I encourage anyone who is able to donate to their page. I hope our community will show their generous support, as they have consistently done for our school district,” Calderon said.

Calderon noted that students had planned a trip to Costa Rica four years ago, but it was canceled because of COVID-19 restrictions. She said students are now looking forward to traveling to Europe.

“My kids are excited about practicing their Spanish in real scenarios. They are proud of the work they do in class, and this experience will not only enhance their language skills, but they will get to experience the culture with their classmates. This is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us,” Calderon said.