By Jon Sirois, Spanish teacher
On October 16th, twenty students from Begues, Spain, will arrive to our beautiful campus. The students will be participating in a twelve-day exchange program during which time they will live with Tabor host families, attend classes, participate in extracurricular activities, participate in excursions in the surrounding area, and simply get a taste of good ol’ American culture. 
The goal of the exchange is to expose the students, both American and Spanish, to as much as possible during their time here – linguistically and culturally. This is a great opportunity for all students here at Tabor, not just our Tabor host families, to engage with the group and make friends from a different part of the world and learn about the many differences and similarities between Spanish and American life. It’s also a great way to see and discuss the varied approaches to life inside the classroom, as the classroom environment in Spain is quite a bit different to that of Tabor’s!
The Spanish students are arriving at a busy time on campus. As the fall weather takes hold, they will experience New England boarding school life at its finest, complete with busy classes, sporting events, and evening speakers. They will be here during Tabor’s third Graboys Leadership Symposium, which will feature several keynote speakers, social entrepreneurs, and small group sessions aimed at developing creative leadership skills. A true introduction to the American entrepreneurial spirit!
In June, a Tabor contingent will be visiting these same students in their homes in Begues. The special opportunity for Tabor host families to share our customs, learn about other cultures, and make life-long friends is invaluable and expands the reach of these exchanges to Tabor students and their families who may not be able to join in the return trip to Spain. Having experienced two such home stays first-hand, I can attest to the value of breaking bread with and getting to know people from the warmth and comforts of home.
For families interested in hosting, please contact Jonathan Sirois at jsirois@taboracademy.org.
