{"id":34692,"date":"2017-02-20T01:43:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-20T00:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/visita-colegio-aamby-bombay\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T17:16:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T16:16:45","slug":"visit-aamby-international-school-bombay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/visit-aamby-international-school-bombay\/","title":{"rendered":"AAMBY International School Visits Murcia: A Cultural Adventure from Mumbai to Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last December, something truly special happened at the\u00a0Instituto Hisp\u00e1nico de Murcia<\/b><\/strong>. We had the great pleasure of organising and hosting a group of students from\u00a0AAMBY International School<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(ISA)<\/a>, located in the lush and futuristic cityscape of\u00a0Aamby Valley<\/b><\/strong>, just outside\u00a0Mumbai, India<\/b><\/strong>. This visit was not only their first time with us \u2014 it was the beginning of what we hope will become a beautiful and lasting international connection.<\/p>\n

ISA is a prestigious co-educational boarding school that welcomes boys and girls from\u00a0Standards 3 to 12<\/b><\/strong>, 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\u00a0creativity, critical thinking, global perspectives<\/b><\/strong>, and deep cultural roots in\u00a0India and Asia<\/b><\/strong>, ISA is an ideal example of how education can be both rooted and expansive.<\/p>\n

So, when we heard they had chosen\u00a0Murcia<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0for their Spanish immersion trip, we knew we had to prepare something truly memorable \u2014 and we certainly did!<\/p>\n

From India to Murcia: a journey of language, culture and sun<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The group that visited us consisted of\u00a09 boys and one group leader<\/b><\/strong>, full of energy, curiosity, and an eagerness to discover everything our city had to offer. Over the course of\u00a015 days<\/b><\/strong>, they experienced not just language classes, but a full-on cultural immersion, combining\u00a0education, exploration, and entertainment<\/b><\/strong>. Their itinerary also included exciting excursions to\u00a0Madrid<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Granada<\/b><\/strong>, two of Spain\u2019s most iconic cities \u2014 but Murcia was their home base, and we were honoured to welcome them.<\/p>\n

The students enrolled in our\u00a0Spanish immersion programme<\/b><\/strong>, where they attended intensive\u00a0Spanish language classes <\/b><\/strong>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\u2019s\u00a0lived<\/i><\/em>, and this group certainly embraced that philosophy!<\/p>\n

More than just lessons: a full cultural experience<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learning Spanish at Instituto Hisp\u00e1nico is never limited to what happens in the classroom. That\u2019s why the ISA students also took part in a wide variety of\u00a0cultural and recreational activities<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0that helped them dive deeper into the Spanish way of life.<\/p>\n

Some of the most popular activities included:<\/p>\n

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  • <\/b>Tapas Nights<\/b><\/strong>: Discovering the secrets of Spanish cuisine while sampling traditional dishes in authentic local restaurants. Let\u2019s just say \u201ccroquetas\u201d and \u201ctortilla\u201d were clear favourites!<\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Salsa Dancing Classes<\/b><\/strong>: One evening turned into a lively dance floor, with students learning basic salsa steps \u2014 a fun way to connect with the rhythms of Latin culture.<\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Hands-on Cooking Workshops<\/b><\/strong>: Under the guidance of local chefs, the boys rolled up their sleeves and learned to prepare Spanish dishes. From \u201cpaella\u201d to \u201cgazpacho\u201d, they got a literal taste of our culture.<\/li>\n
  • <\/b>Guided Tours and Excursions<\/b><\/strong>: The group explored Murcia\u2019s most emblematic spots \u2014 including the stunning\u00a0Cathedral of Murcia<\/b><\/strong>, the\u00a0Salzillo Museum<\/b><\/strong>, the\u00a0Plaza de las Flores<\/b><\/strong>, and of course the local\u00a0markets<\/b><\/strong>, where they were introduced to the colours and aromas of Murcia\u2019s fresh produce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    One of the highlights of the visit was the\u00a0official welcome<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0by\u00a0Mr Jes\u00fas Pacheco<\/b><\/strong>, Murcia\u2019s Councillor of Tourism & Culture. The meeting was held in the elegant\u00a0Plenary Room of the Murcia Town Hall<\/b><\/strong>, where students were greeted with kindness and interest \u2014 a gesture that made them feel like true guests of honour in the city.<\/p>\n

    Murcia through their eyes<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    What makes these school visits so special is the way students perceive Murcia. For many of the ISA boys, it was their\u00a0first trip to Europe<\/b><\/strong>, and the contrast between the bustling urban life of Mumbai and the peaceful, sunny atmosphere of Murcia was striking.<\/p>\n

    They were amazed by the city’s walkability, the warmth of the locals, and the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. Our\u00a0sunny winter weather<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0also came as a lovely surprise \u2014 while it was chilly in India, Murcia offered bright skies and pleasant temperatures.<\/p>\n

    A fun cultural difference they quickly noticed?\u00a0Meal times!<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0In Spain, lunch happens much later than in India \u2014 usually around 2 or even 3 p.m. At first, it felt strange\u2026 but after a few tapas nights, they were happily adapting to this new rhythm.<\/p>\n

    Why cultural exchanges matter?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Experiences like this one are so much more than tourism. Cultural exchanges allow young people to develop\u00a0empathy, adaptability, curiosity, and confidence<\/b><\/strong>. They gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. They make memories, friendships, and connections that can last a lifetime.<\/p>\n

    At Instituto Hisp\u00e1nico de Murcia, we are passionate about providing these kinds of experiences. Our goal is not just to teach Spanish, but to\u00a0share our way of life<\/b><\/strong>, help students\u00a0open their minds<\/b><\/strong>, and offer them a\u00a0second home in Spain<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    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, \u201cI\u2019m staying here anyway. I like this place!\u201d<\/p>\n

    Did you know? Curious facts we shared with our visitors<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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    • <\/b>Murcia is known as \u201cthe orchard of Europe\u201d<\/b><\/strong>, thanks to its incredibly fertile land and rich agricultural tradition. Many of the fruits and vegetables eaten in northern Europe are grown right here.<\/li>\n
    • The\u00a0Murcia Cathedral <\/b><\/strong>took over 300 years to build and blends several architectural styles, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque \u2014 a perfect metaphor for the region\u2019s layered cultural identity.<\/li>\n
    • Murcia has\u00a0more than 320 days of sunshine per year<\/b><\/strong>, making it one of the sunniest cities in Spain. That\u2019s a big change for anyone coming from a monsoon climate!<\/li>\n
    • Spanish is the\u00a0second most spoken language in the world by native speakers<\/b><\/strong>, just behind Mandarin Chinese \u2014 another great reason to learn it at a young age.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n