Carmen Hernández
6 min 
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Last December, something truly special happened at the Instituto Hispánico de Murcia. We had the great pleasure of organising and hosting a group of students from AAMBY International School (ISA), located in the lush and futuristic cityscape of Aamby Valley, just outside Mumbai, India. This visit was not only their first time with us — it was the beginning of what we hope will become a beautiful and lasting international connection.
ISA is a prestigious co-educational boarding school that welcomes boys and girls from Standards 3 to 12, offering both weekly and full-time boarding options. Its location within the serene Aamby Valley makes it one of the most unique learning environments in Asia. With a strong focus on creativity, critical thinking, global perspectives, and deep cultural roots in India and Asia, ISA is an ideal example of how education can be both rooted and expansive.
So, when we heard they had chosen Murcia for their Spanish immersion trip, we knew we had to prepare something truly memorable — and we certainly did!
From India to Murcia: a journey of language, culture and sun
The group that visited us consisted of 9 boys and one group leader, full of energy, curiosity, and an eagerness to discover everything our city had to offer. Over the course of 15 days, they experienced not just language classes, but a full-on cultural immersion, combining education, exploration, and entertainment. Their itinerary also included exciting excursions to Madrid and Granada, two of Spain’s most iconic cities — but Murcia was their home base, and we were honoured to welcome them.
The students enrolled in our Spanish immersion programme, where they attended intensive Spanish language classes tailored to their level, helping them to gain practical communication skills in a fun, interactive environment. We strongly believe that language is best learned when it’s lived, and this group certainly embraced that philosophy!
More than just lessons: a full cultural experience
Learning Spanish at Instituto Hispánico is never limited to what happens in the classroom. That’s why the ISA students also took part in a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities that helped them dive deeper into the Spanish way of life.
Some of the most popular activities included:
- Tapas Nights: Discovering the secrets of Spanish cuisine while sampling traditional dishes in authentic local restaurants. Let’s just say “croquetas” and “tortilla” were clear favourites!
- Salsa Dancing Classes: One evening turned into a lively dance floor, with students learning basic salsa steps — a fun way to connect with the rhythms of Latin culture.
- Hands-on Cooking Workshops: Under the guidance of local chefs, the boys rolled up their sleeves and learned to prepare Spanish dishes. From “paella” to “gazpacho”, they got a literal taste of our culture.
- Guided Tours and Excursions: The group explored Murcia’s most emblematic spots — including the stunning Cathedral of Murcia, the Salzillo Museum, the Plaza de las Flores, and of course the local markets, where they were introduced to the colours and aromas of Murcia’s fresh produce.
One of the highlights of the visit was the official welcome by Mr Jesús Pacheco, Murcia’s Councillor of Tourism & Culture. The meeting was held in the elegant Plenary Room of the Murcia Town Hall, where students were greeted with kindness and interest — a gesture that made them feel like true guests of honour in the city.
Murcia through their eyes
What makes these school visits so special is the way students perceive Murcia. For many of the ISA boys, it was their first trip to Europe, and the contrast between the bustling urban life of Mumbai and the peaceful, sunny atmosphere of Murcia was striking.
They were amazed by the city’s walkability, the warmth of the locals, and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. Our sunny winter weather also came as a lovely surprise — while it was chilly in India, Murcia offered bright skies and pleasant temperatures.
A fun cultural difference they quickly noticed? Meal times! In Spain, lunch happens much later than in India — usually around 2 or even 3 p.m. At first, it felt strange… but after a few tapas nights, they were happily adapting to this new rhythm.
Why cultural exchanges matter?
Experiences like this one are so much more than tourism. Cultural exchanges allow young people to develop empathy, adaptability, curiosity, and confidence. They gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. They make memories, friendships, and connections that can last a lifetime.
At Instituto Hispánico de Murcia, we are passionate about providing these kinds of experiences. Our goal is not just to teach Spanish, but to share our way of life, help students open their minds, and offer them a second home in Spain.
A small but powerful moment we remember: during one of the walking tours, one of the ISA students asked our guide how long it would take to walk from Murcia to Barcelona. When he heard the answer (many, many hours!), he laughed and said, “I’m staying here anyway. I like this place!”
- Murcia is known as “the orchard of Europe”, thanks to its incredibly fertile land and rich agricultural tradition. Many of the fruits and vegetables eaten in northern Europe are grown right here.
- The Murcia Cathedral took over 300 years to build and blends several architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque — a perfect metaphor for the region’s layered cultural identity.
- Murcia has more than 320 days of sunshine per year, making it one of the sunniest cities in Spain. That’s a big change for anyone coming from a monsoon climate!
- Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world by native speakers, just behind Mandarin Chinese — another great reason to learn it at a young age.
See more from the visit!
You can find photos from the visit on our Facebook Fan Page, capturing the laughter, exploration, and unforgettable moments shared. Want to feel the vibe? Visit our YouTube Channel for videos that bring the experience to life.
From cooking classes to dance floors, from the classrooms to the city hall, from laughter-filled nights to quiet moments of reflection — every image tells part of a beautiful story.
See you next time, ISA!
To the entire group from AAMBY International School: thank you for bringing your curiosity, energy, and smiles to Murcia. You’ve left a wonderful impression on all of us — staff, teachers, guides, and even the local waiters who served you tapas!
We truly hope to welcome you again next year. Until then, keep practising your Spanish, keep exploring the world with open minds, and remember: Murcia will always have a place for you.
¡Hasta pronto, amigos!
With warm wishes,
The Instituto Hispánico de Murcia Team 🇪🇸
