Carmen Hernández
6 min 
From 7th to 12th February, we had the absolute pleasure of welcoming a school group from GLYN School in Surrey, England, to our beloved city of Murcia. This wasn’t just any school visit—it was the fifth consecutive year we hosted this amazing group of students, and every time they come, the experience just gets better!
GLYN School, founded back in 1927, holds a special place in Surrey’s educational landscape. It’s the only boys’ comprehensive school in the county and has consistently stood out for its excellent academic performance. With multiple Ofsted inspections under its belt—all resulting in the highest possible rating of “outstanding”—GLYN has more than earned its stellar reputation. In fact, in 2012 and 2013, it was ranked as the fourth best-performing non-selective boys’ school in England for GCSE results. Quite an achievement!
A Week of Language, Culture, Sunshine and Surprises
This year, we welcomed a group of 11 brilliant students accompanied by 2 fantastic group leaders, who came all the way from the UK to experience a full Spanish language immersion here at Instituto Hispánico de Murcia. And what a week it was!
From the moment they landed, the boys were thrown straight into the deep end of Spanish language and culture—but in the best possible way. Their schedule was packed with fun, interactive and very “Murcian” activities. Let’s just say: boredom wasn’t an option!
Morning Lessons, Murcian Style
Each morning started with Spanish lessons, but not your typical classroom grind. These were lively, dynamic classes designed to get them speaking from the first minute, using real-world scenarios, games, and local expressions. Whether it was ordering breakfast in a café, asking directions in the street or sharing opinions on Spanish music, the focus was always on practical communication.
One student jokingly said, “I thought I knew some Spanish before coming here, but now I can actually survive in Spain without Google Translate!” That’s what we call mission accomplished.
Hands-On Culture: Cooking, Salsa and More
But of course, language is more than grammar and vocabulary. It’s about living the culture. And the GLYN group did just that. One of the highlights of their stay was a hands-on Spanish cooking workshop, where they learned to prepare classic dishes like gazpacho, ensalada murciana, and even the beloved tortilla de patatas (a dish that never fails to cause debate over whether it should contain onion or not!).
No Murcian experience would be complete without a bit of rhythm, so the boys also took part in a salsa dancing class, learning the basic steps and (to their surprise) absolutely loving it. For some, it was their first time dancing, but with music, energy and lots of laughter, it became an unforgettable part of the trip.
Discovering Murcia: Past, Present and People
The afternoons were dedicated to exploring Murcia’s most iconic spots, guided by our expert local guides. From the stunning Cathedral of Murcia, which combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, to the historical Romea Theatre and the picturesque Plaza de las Flores, the group discovered how rich and vibrant the city’s heritage is.
They also visited Monteagudo Castle, where the imposing statue of Christ stands guard over the city, and learned about Murcia’s Muslim and Christian roots—a blend that still influences the region’s culture today. Did you know that the Segura River, which flows through Murcia, was once the lifeblood of the Moorish irrigation system that made the region’s farmland so fertile? It’s no coincidence that Murcia is still called “the orchard of Europe”!
A Special Welcome at the Town Hall
One of the most memorable moments of the week was the official welcome at the Murcia Town Hall, where the group was personally greeted by Mr Jesús Pacheco, our local Tourism & Culture Councillor. He spoke warmly about the importance of cultural exchange and how meaningful it is to see young people from different countries sharing experiences and learning from one another.
It was a proud moment for everyone, and several students even took the opportunity to ask questions (in Spanish!) about Murcia’s history, festivals and food.
So Much More Than a School Trip
What made this experience so special wasn’t just the weather (yes, even in February, Murcia treats you to glorious sunshine), or the delicious food (though we must admit, the boys quickly became addicted to churros con chocolate and tostas murcianas). What truly stood out was the positive attitude, respectful curiosity and enthusiasm that the students brought to every activity.
They weren’t just visitors—they became part of our daily rhythm here in Murcia. From chatting with locals in shops to practising their Spanish at cafés or enjoying the city’s relaxed pace of life, the boys immersed themselves fully, and that made all the difference.
Curious Facts the GLYN Students Discovered
- Murcia has its own dialect, known as panocho, spoken mainly by older generations in rural areas. Some of the boys tried to pick up a few expressions—¡qué arte!
- The Cathedral of Murcia took nearly 300 years to complete, which is why its architectural style is such an unusual mix.
- One of Murcia’s most popular dishes is zarangollo, made from courgette, onion and egg. It may not sound exotic, but it became one of the students’ favourites.
- Murcia hosts a giant Spring Festival with parades, flower battles, and a vegetable-themed procession where locals decorate floats with real produce!
A Message to the GLYN Group
To our GLYN guests: thank you for being such a fantastic group! Your energy, openness and sense of humour brought joy to everyone at the Instituto Hispánico. Whether it was in the classroom, the kitchen or on the dance floor, you embraced every challenge with a smile.
We loved showing you around our city and sharing what makes Murcia such a special place. We hope you took back not just new vocabulary and grammar, but also memories, friendships, and maybe even a little piece of sunshine in your hearts.
Until Next Time…
You’ll find more than 50 photos of the trip on our Facebook Fan Page and some amazing videos on our YouTube channel, capturing all the best moments—from the cooking class giggles to the cathedral selfies.
We’re already looking forward to welcoming the next GLYN group in the future. Until then, ¡muchas gracias y hasta pronto!
Greetings from all of us at Instituto Hispánico de Murcia—you made this week unforgettable.
