Carmen Hernández
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From the crisp air of Finnish autumn to the warm sunshine of southern Spain—what a journey! Between October 29th and November 4th, the Instituto Hispánico de Murcia had the great pleasure of hosting a very special group of students and teachers from Svenska samskolan i Tammerfors (SST), a Swedish-speaking secondary school located in Tampere, Finland.
This was the second time SST came to visit us, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them back. It was a week full of learning, cultural exchange, laughter, sunshine, and unforgettable memories.
Who Are Our Friends from SST?
Svenska samskolan i Tammerfors—often just called SST—is a Swedish-language school that offers high-quality general education to students from grades 1 to 9, and also high school levels I to III. It’s part of Finland’s unique bilingual education system, where students can choose to study in either Finnish or Swedish, both official languages of the country.
This time, 12 enthusiastic students (a wonderful mix of boys and girls), accompanied by 2 group leaders, travelled from the peaceful forests and lakes of Tampere all the way to the vibrant streets of Murcia. And trust us—they made the most of every single day!
What Did We Do During the Week?
Let’s be honest: when most people think of Spain, the first things that come to mind are sun, good food, flamenco, and friendly people. But there’s so much more to discover—especially in Murcia! So we prepared a rich and exciting programme that combined Spanish culture, local traditions, language immersion and even interfaith experiences.
🕊 A Spiritual and Intercultural Journey
This school trip had a strong religious and interfaith focus, with activities designed to explore both Christian and Muslim traditions in Murcia. The students had the opportunity to connect with local faith communities and reflect on different ways of living spirituality.
Here’s what we did:
- We visited the Seminary of San José de la Vega, a place dedicated to training future priests. It was a moment to understand more about religious life in Spain.
- We spent time at the Jesús María school, where SST students participated in a student exchange with local Spanish teenagers. It was amazing to see them connect despite the language differences—proof that young people understand each other beyond words!
- We also joined a confirmation group meeting and visited the beautiful church of San Pedro in Murcia city centre, where Father Dieudonné explained the meaning of the Catholic liturgy and its place in everyday life in Spain.
- One of the most moving moments of the week was our visit to the house of the Franciscan Sisters of the Purísima, a community that dedicates its life to service and prayer.
- To complete the interreligious experience, we travelled to Beniaján and met the Imam of the local mosque, who kindly gave us a talk about Islam in Spain and daily life in the Muslim community of Murcia.
These encounters were eye-opening and inspiring. They helped the students appreciate the diversity of beliefs and traditions that shape Spain today.
🏛 Culture, Language and… Salsa!
Of course, no trip to Spain would be complete without diving into its language and culture! That’s why we added a whole bunch of other fun and enriching activities:
- Daily Spanish lessons at our Instituto Hispánico gave the students a real taste of the language. From ordering tapas to greeting locals with a confident “¡Hola!”, they improved quickly and had lots of fun.
- We also organised guided tours to some of Murcia’s most iconic spots. The city’s mix of Baroque architecture, Moorish roots and modern life impressed our Finnish guests.
- The students even took salsa dance lessons—and wow, they picked it up fast! There were lots of laughs, spinning moves, and maybe even some future dancers in the group…
🌞 Warm Welcome in the City Hall
One of the most special moments of the week was when our group was officially welcomed by the City of Murcia. We were received in the elegant meeting room of the Town Hall, right in the historic heart of the city.
There, we met Mr Jesús Pacheco, Murcia’s Culture Representative, who warmly greeted the group and spoke about the importance of cultural exchange between young Europeans. It was an honour to be there—and a fantastic way to make our visitors feel truly at home.
🌮 Let’s Talk About the Food…
Now let’s be honest—Murcia’s cuisine deserves its own paragraph (or two). From traditional tapas and paella to the deliciously sweet pastel de carne, our visitors got a real taste of southern Spanish flavour.
Some tried caldero, a rice dish made with fish and saffron typical from the Mar Menor, while others couldn’t get enough of tostas with sobrasada and goat cheese. Even the simple Spanish breakfast—pan con tomate y aceite—was a hit.
And yes, we did mention churros, didn’t we? 😉
🌍 A Cultural Bridge Between Finland and Spain
Trips like this are about more than just sunshine and sightseeing. They’re about building bridges between cultures, making friends across borders, and understanding different ways of living, learning and believing.
Murcia and Tampere may seem worlds apart—one surrounded by Mediterranean orchards, the other by snowy forests—but this visit reminded us how much we all share in common. Curiosity, kindness, laughter, and the joy of learning—these are universal.
📸 Don’t Miss the Photos and Videos!
Want to see more? We’ve got a full gallery of photos from the trip on our Facebook fan page and some funny behind-the-scenes videos on our YouTube channel. From salsa steps to group selfies and sunset walks through Murcia’s old town, the memories are all there—just one click away.
🌟 Looking Forward to the Next Visit
To all the students and teachers from SST: thank you for being part of this wonderful week. Your energy, curiosity and respect made this experience unforgettable for everyone here at Instituto Hispánico.
We can’t wait to see you again next year—and who knows? Maybe even more SST students will join the adventure!
From the entire IHM team, we send you a big sunny “gracias” and a warm “hasta pronto”.
Murcia will always be your home away from home. 🇪🇸❤️🇫🇮
