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Spain

Combating Climate Change

A 2-Week Summer Abroad Program

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brown buildings with greenery and blue sky in the countryside

15 Days

Through hands-on work with community organizations, students learn about local efforts to restore ecosystems and come away feeling more empowered to effect positive change at the community level. For students interested in community organizing, climate change, and exploring the diverse culture, community, and history of southern Spain.

Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost region, is a vibrant crossroads of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Where European, Arabic, and North African influences have intertwined for centuries, students explore the region’s environmental challenges and experience daily life in southern Spain. Through community immersion, local partnerships, guest speakers, and Spanish language practice, students gain firsthand insight into both contemporary and historical environmental issues while connecting deeply with the people and culture around them.

people digging in dry land

Highlights & Outcomes

Spanish Language Study

Rapidly improve conversational Spanish skills through a homestay, formalized language instruction, and daily interactions with locals. 

Climate Change Remediation

Participate in hands-on work restoring local ecosystems alongside Spanish youth and consider local and global human environmental impacts.

Landscapes and History

Explore local ecology and landscapes, ancient civilizations, castles, Moorish influences, and the oldest irrigation system in Europe.

Gain Global Competencies

Experience new cultures, explore different perspective, and build confidence by navigating unfamiliar environments.

Spanish city on hillside
line drawing of Spain

Your Journey Starts Here

Beginning in the Natural Park of Alcornocales in Cádiz, students immerse themselves in nature, hiking through lush Mediterranean forest as we frame the program, build a group culture, and introduce important health and safety considerations. We learn about mycology and botany, begin Spanish lessons, and partake in a cooking workshop. In the Axarquia region we learn about the area’s famous grape and raisin production and how it is being jeopardized by the proliferation of water intensive tropical fruit production. 

Next, we arrive into the small community of Huétor Vega outside the picturesque city of Granada, where we settle into local homestays (or alternative accommodations) and begin our daily routine of Spanish language practice and collaboration with local youth around issues of desertification, reforestation, and environmental education. Other activities include learning about irrigation systems with reused materials, a tree nursery and reforestation workshop, visits to the oldest aqueduct irrigation system in Europe, and language exchange activities with Spanish  high school students.

We depart Granada for the Costa del Sol, and the storied seaside city of Málaga. Here, we settle into  comfortable group lodging for our final two nights of the program, focusing on our transference curriculum, dedicated to reviewing and reflecting on our program to help us transfer our experiences to life back home. 

View Itinerary

Spain: Combating Climate Change

Itinerary Example
The following is a sample itinerary based on past courses; actual itineraries are dynamic and may vary.

  • Day 1: Málaga

    Arrival in Malaga, resting in Málaga after arrival. Welcome ceremony.

  • Day 2: Málaga - Jimena de la Frontera

    After breakfast and morning check in, travel to Los Alcornocales Park for orientation workshops and activities, introduction to Spanish culture language, historical migration, contemporary climate migration. Evening cooking lesson on traditional native cuisine and wild super foods.

  • Day 3-4: Jimena

    After morning check-in, travel by 4×4 with local guides into  the forest for a  hike focused on mycology, mushroom foraging, and botany.  Introductory  Spanish lessons and walks through villages to explore local conservation, riparian ecosystems, and natural cork production. Afternoon visits to the castle and discussions on historical and contemporary borders and migration.

  • Day 5: Jimena to Axarquía (el Borge)

    Travel to Antequera. Lunch in El Torcal and exploration of Kast landscape, explore rock formations, and connection to forest ecosystems. Afternoon arrival at El Borge in the region of la Axarquía in a local Villa. Dinner and walk to the heart of the village.

  • Day 6: El Borge

    Visit local farms and learn about El Borge raisin production system and impacts from new tropical fruits, jeopardizing the local water supply. Hike to a local farm, opportunity to work in the field and learn about agroforestry, followed by raisin production workshop and communal cooking experience with views of the sea.

  • Day 7: El Borge - Granada

    After morning check-in and breakfast, travel to Granada. Prepare and settle into homestays. Introduction to local desertification and ecosystem restoration. Framing of Spanish youth exchange and collaborative reforestation project.

  • Days 8-12: Granada

    Daily Spanish activities and work on reforestation projects along the historical path to Sierra Nevada Mountains National Park. Learn about water management, tree nurseries, biodiversity and conservation efforts.  Visits to the ancient aqueduct system and possible visit to the world famous Alhambra Palace. Learn about eco-living in cave homes in the Sacromonte neighborhood.

  • Days 12-14: Granada - Málaga

    Travel from Granada to Málaga, transference activities and workshops, final souvenir shopping and ceremonial closing dinner. Prepare to return home with newly gained perspectives and lessons learned.

flamenco dancing lesson
person leaning over wall looking at city
people holding olives they have just picked
Castle in background with blurred red flowers in foreground
El Borge

A Unique Way to Spend Your Summer

I would say if you really want to live like a local, and understand the people and culture, then this program really prioritizes that. Spain opened me up to so much history and helped me understand how the country has developed to the modern day. Whether or not you want to do it, this experience will be life changing. I feel that everyone needs to do something like this if they ever have the opportunity. You might not experience anything similar. It’s truly a unique way to spend your summer!

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people picking olives
Bolonia Beach

Program Components

Our Program Components are the building blocks of every travel experience we offer. Each program emphasizes different activities and themes to help you meaningfully connect with your surroundings. The Program Components are a great way to find an experience that best fits your individual interests and goals.

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Medium
High

Learning Service

Working alongside a local environmental NGO focused on replanting the native oaks outside of Granada, students may have the opportunity to plant trees, work in nurseries, and participate in workshops at local elementary schools.

Social & Environmental Justice

Climate change, and its impact on access to fresh water resources, arable land, and ecological integrity. Environmental justice, and the impacts of agribusiness on peasant lifestyle.

Homestay

ln Huetor Vega students have the opportunity to stay with local families in pairs who attend the local high school.

Language Study

In Huetor Vega, students will have the opportunity to partake in formal language lessons, as we as peer dialog and activities in Spanish throughout the program.

Religious & Spiritual Traditions

Students explore the influence and role of the Catholic Church on the history of Spain. They learn about the inquisition, and reconquista through visits to historical sites, castles, and cathedrals.

Trekking

Students will engage in day hikes through cloud forests, and other diverse landscapes of Andalusia.

Independent Study Project

Students interested in exploring topics related to agriculture, ecology, and climate change will have ample opportunity to pursue personal lines of inquiry. Flamenco, ceramics, and other artforms are also available in Granada.

Rugged Travel

Southern Spain offers opportunities for off-the-beaten path exploration of mountain communities and agrarian lifestyle.

Meet a Few of Our Instructors

Experienced educators. Community builders. Life mentors. With deep regional expertise and local language fluency, our instructors are skilled at providing context for the student experience and building cultural bridges. We collectively draw upon personal networks to create opportunities for connection and guide students along their journey.

Meet Our Instructors

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