3.b in Spain 2024

3b went to Madrid to investigate how the Spaniards’ national and regional identities are reflected in their passion for football. After hosting the Spanish students in early September, we soon traveled to Madrid, where we were warmly welcomed at the airport with double cheek kisses by the Spanish students and their families, who immediately opened their homes and hearts to the Danish students. Thus began a rich week of homestay with memorable experiences. We had flamenco lessons with a renowned Spanish flamenco dancer, visited the city of Segovia with its UNESCO World Heritage Roman aqueduct, and saw an impressive exhibition on Pedro Almodóvar’s films, one of which was partly filmed at our partner school, Colegio Estudio.

A major highlight was the La Liga match at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alavés, where Real Madrid fans, the so-called “madridistas,” impressed our students with their chants and celebrations, surpassing even what the most seasoned football fans among our students had experienced in other football cultures, including Denmark's. There was also plenty of time to interview football fans from both Real Madrid and the visiting team from the Basque Country. The cultural exchange at the stadium was yet another successful meeting of cultures on our journey, crowned by the experience of not only having a roof over our heads and food on the table during the homestay, but of being embraced as a member of the Spanish family. We returned home with suitcases full of jamón, queso, and precious memories. Both during the return visit and the trip to Madrid, a strong friendship has developed between the Danish and Spanish students, with several of our students being told by their Spanish host families that they will always have a home in Madrid.