Providing a challenging, college-preparatory curriculum for young women over three centuries.
Spanish Exchange
Mount Notre Dame is pleased to offer an immersion experience for our Spanish language students. Moeller High School began this program during the 2004-2005 school year; and, thus, a Marianist match was fitting. Colegio Santa Maria del Pilar, a co-ed high school in Zaragoza, Spain, was chosen. The co-ed environment offered an opportunity for a partnership with Mount Notre Dame beginning with the 2005-2006 school year. There are approximately 400 students who attend Colegio Santa Maria del Pilar, and class size is similar to that of Moeller High School and Mount Notre Dame.
Zaragoza is located in northeast Spain about three and a half hours from Madrid. The weather in January and February is similar to that of Cincinnati. Zaragoza is six hours ahead of Cincinnati time.
Moeller and Mount Notre Dame students spend approximately five weeks in Zaragoza, Spain, leaving in mid-January and returning in mid-February. Exact dates are chosen according to availability and pricing.
The program is very selective at all schools. The students in Spain are chosen to participate in the exchange program based on the same criteria we use to select our participants -- good foreign language skills, strong academic skills, and Christian behavior and attitudes. We are pleased to have such wonderful students participating in the exchange program.
You may visit the school website at www.marianistas.net
Program Content
Exchange participants live with Spanish families that have children attending Santa Maria del Pilar High School. While in Spain, our students attend classes with the native students and take a supplemental Spanish language class.
In September of that same year, the Spanish students will travel to Cincinnati to live and study at Mount Notre Dame and Moeller High School. At that time, our students reciprocate the hospitality they enjoyed in Europe by including their friend in all school and family activities.
Benefits of Participating in an Exchange Program:
- Increased cultural understanding
- Improved Spanish language skills
- Expanded world view
- International friendships
- Personal growth
- Increased independence and self-esteem
- Impressive experience to include on college application
Chaperones
Chaperones for the participants during their trip over to Spain will be provided by either Mount Notre Dame or Moeller High School. Chaperones will help students adjust to their new school and family environments. Chaperones will remain in Spain for approximately five days. The transportation cost for the chaperones will be equally distributed amongst the participants.
Cost
Each family is responsible for their participant’s round trip ticket to Spain plus a pro rata portion of the chaperone tickets. Lunch at Santa Maria del Pilar High School is provided free of charge. Host families will cover the cost of all other meals, lodging, and family outings. Students will need spending money to purchase souvenirs, gifts, and other miscellaneous items.
When hosting in the fall, families are responsible for covering the cost of all food and entertainment for the exchange student that they would provide for their own children. Mount Notre Dame and Moeller High School will provide lunch at school for our Spanish visitors.
Keeping up with class work
Students are responsible for the work they will miss while away from school. Students will formulate an individual plan with each teacher prior to the trip. Students can expect to access class resources via the internet while abroad. Some teachers may opt to assign an alternative assignment that relates the subject matter to the student’s exchange experience (i.e. requiring a PowerPoint on religious practices in that country).