1.
How did you find out about the Colegio Virgen de la Caridad
School?
a. Caroline’s Sister,
Olivia spent 10 days in Illescas and visited families of the Colegio Virgen de
la Caridad in June 2016 when Ana Rosales brought The British International
School of Boston (BISB) to Illescas. Caroline has wanted to live for a semester
or year in Spain since 2012 (11 years old). She researched schools on the
internet by her own initiative in the winter of 2016. This was a signal to us
that she was serious and really wanted the experience of learning fluency in
the Spanish language and experiencing Spanish culture. We think she was
inspired with a love of Spanish by her teacher Ana Rosales and also by Maurice
Fakoury, Head of Languages at the British International School of Boston. Ms.
Rosales is a tremendously adventurous spirit, a tribute to the town of Illescas
and also a graduate of Colegio Virgen de la Caridad. We really did not want
Caroline to go away from home at such a young age because we were concerned
about the safety and education of our daughter. However, we saw a great value
in nurturing her adventurous spirit, initiative and leadership ability for her
future life by allowing her to pursue her dream. The entire idea was
Caroline’s. She persuaded us to let her go to Illescas. Ms. Rosales arranged
the wonderful host family and admission into the school and assured us that
Illescas would be safe and that this was an excellent age for Caroline to study
Spanish. Ms. Rosales now resides on a new adventure in Thailand. We miss her
adventurous spirit and inspirational enthusiasm at BISB. The motto of The
British International School of Boston(BISB) is “individual, inspirational,
international” and this experience is a perfect example of how BISB is
achieving its mission with our daughters. Paul Wiseman the former headmaster
and Darren Nicholas the present headmaster of BISB were extremely helpful and
supportive in making Caroline’s dream come true. It was a truly collaborative
effort between BISB, Caridad, Victor Fernández (
Director ) , Mario Cintado ( Coordinator ) , Mercedes Gomez, Jose M (our host
Mom & Dad) Ana and many BISB Teachers. We are
in love and awe of all that helped make everything possible.
2. Why were you interested
in your daughter spending a term with Colegio Virgen de la Caridad?
Principled human values and standards. Emily and I want our
children to be at Home in the World. When Caroline and her sister Olivia first
started school at BISB the current headmaster said he could not promise us what
occupations would be available for our children 12 years from that date to when
they graduated. He did say he “Could promise us that one thing would be true,
that the world would be more international at the time of their graduation and
that BISB would deliver an International education”. BISB has definitely
exceeded this promise. After Ana Rosales introduced us to the school and to
Mercedes and Jose we wrote extensively via email. From the beginning we could
feel Caridad’s soul in the letters Mercedes wrote. We began to see Mercedes not
just as Caroline’s host mother but also as a member of our extended family and
the mother of Caroline’s exchange program. Jose and Mercedes wrote us of how
they would care for Caroline, love her like her own daughter, got us all the
documents we needed to get a visa for Caroline, promptly answered any question
we had. She was the liaison with the school for us, and she speaks excellent
English. We fell in love with Mercedes and her family like our own family. She
practices what she speaks. It became very clear that this would be a healthy
environment where Caroline would learn independence, values, Spanish, culture,
be influenced by excellent human beings and standards. Before we met Mercedes
and Jose we were very worried about Caroline’s safety and development personally.
We just spent 6 days in Illescas with Mercedes and Jose and their family. We
are not worried. In fact, we loved them and all the effort they made to show us
Spain so much that we did not want to go home. It was extraordinary and
sublime. An experience of a lifetime. What we thought would be great for
Caroline was equally great for the parents and siblings.
3. What was your first
impression of the host family, teachers, the Town of Illescas?
a. Our first impression of
the host family was with Mercedes through email. For Caroline her first
impression was with Mercedes’ & Jose’s daughter Claudia through Instagram.
Caroline and Claudia appeared to already be Well bonded and longtime friends
once they met in person. Loving, Caring, Protective, generous, principled. That
was our first impression of our host family.
b. Our first impression of
the teachers was also Mercedes who teaches English at the school. The remainder
of the teachers were very attentive, highly principled, generous and caring. We
felt so wanted and welcomed. Everyone is enthusiastic. Each teacher took the
time to ask Caroline what she was learning and to get a feel for who she was
and where they would need to start to move her education forward. The school
was also well prepared to address Caroline’s emotional well-being since this
would be the first time she was away from home. When people have the correct
attitude the world moves. The teachers at Caridad, like BISB are incredibly
dedicated to making a contribution to their students. Also, they all encouraged
Caroline to ask them for extra help if she needs it.
c. The Town of Illescas?
This town is like stepping into a movie set. It is the perfect size. Not too
small, not too big. It is good that it is not a big city from a security
perspective and very little English is spoken. Caroline’s main objective is to
become fluent in Spanish. Immersion is the best way to become fluent. The town
also appears very friendly. Mercedes and Jose know a lot of people and Illescas
has a very strong community. The weekend we arrived we saw two El Greco
paintings in the church, Flamenco dancing, amazing dressage horses and a
wonderful parade celebrating the end of the summer festival completed by dinner
under the stars in the town square with a talent competition and music played
by the children of the town. It was an evening filled with culture, community
and warmth. The people of the town are very friendly and are excited to have a
foreign student in their midst. We get the feeling that everyone has been
waiting for Caroline’s arrival. The first night she was there she picked up 28
new Instagram followers. This really made Caroline feel like she was a part of
the town and welcome. The town is also close to Madrid and Toledo. Mercedes,
Jose and Mario took us to the see all of these sights from the Spanish
perspective. We thank everyone for their gracious hospitality.
4. What experience do you
expect your daughter to have during the term?
a.
Much of the learning is the process of applying to the school
and just getting everything set up to go to Spain. Caroline is learning over
and over what effort it takes to set objectives and achieve them by
participating in this new experience. Her confidence increases with every
challenge that she overcomes. One thing that Caroline has learned is that she
can do anything she sets her mind to and we think she is amazed that she
actually made it possible for her to achieve her dream of visiting Spain. The
challenge of learning that you can control your life and achieve new things
that appear difficult to achieve is a priceless experience. This will be an
experience in personal responsibility with the guidance of very responsible
adults. We also expect her to become fluent in Spanish. She will have to study
and manage herself much more than she has had to in the past. We also think she
will appreciate her family in Spain and the USA more. She also will learn how
to make her way in the world and really understand Spanish culture by living it
day to day.
5. Do you recommend other
students spend a semester at Colegio Virgen de la Caridad and at the British
International School of Boston?
a.
We absolutely recommend students spend a semester or more at
Colegio Virgen de la Caridad. We wish we had this kind of opportunity when we
were young.
b. What would you like to
say to parents and students from America about your experience?
i. The world was never
changed by conformists. This is a safe environment for a child to grow up and
learn independence in a less conventional setting, in the world. The experience
is unique. It takes courage and self-leadership to leave your home and country
for a place you know little about.
b.
What would you like to say to Spanish parents and students?
i. Come to America. We have
made a decision to become a host family in America. After learning from
Mercedes and Jose we cannot wait to have another child in our home to teach a
love for American culture and English. Mercedes and Jose have set a wonderful
example of how to receive and care for exchange students. They want to develop
the program further and will pass their knowledge along to make the program
even better than it already is. Any child that participates in a program like
this will be better fit to lead a better and more interesting life. It will be
a lot of fun!
Scott
Johnson
