Chicago trip to bring exposure to Mexican and Spanish culture

by Natalie Kirton

On Saturday, Nov. 5, Carrie Stockman, known as Señora to her students, will be taking a group of 32 students and chaperones on a trip to explore the Mexican culture of Pilsen, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. 

“I like to take students on this trip so they can get hands on experience of things they wouldn’t be able to in the classroom. They have better retention of the things they learn in the classroom after going on this trip. I think it’s a great way to immerse them into the Spanish culture,” says Stockman.

The Spanish group will arrive in Pilsen around noon. There they will be able to enjoy a meal in an authentic taquería, a taco restaurant, before visiting a Mexican fine arts museum. Afterward, the group will complete their day with a scavenger hunt of Pilsen and a stop at a local Mexican bakery to compare foods found there to bakeries back home. 

The crew of 24 students and eight chaperones will then check into their hotel rooms and have free time the rest of the night. Some activities they will be able to do are visit Navy Pier, the John Hancock building, go shopping or attend a Blue Man Group performance. 

Sunday’s activities will include visiting Millennium Park, lunch at one of five eateries, free time and dinner at Café Iberico, a restaurant that serves Spanish ‘tapas’, or appetizers. Monday the large group will tour the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium before heading home. 

“It’s going to be fun,” says sophomore Kane Barker. “I will be able to actually eat the food we learn about in class. I’ll be able to spend time with my friends outside of school while still getting my splendid education.” Barker is excited to see the inner cities of Chicago and to watch a Blue Man Group performance.

All students participating in this trip must have at least an 80% for their Spanish grade. This trip is open to all Spanish 2, 3 and 4 students. Students have all had the opportunity to fundraise money to go toward their trip funds. 

This is the third consecutive year of the Chicago trip. Each student will come away from the trip with more knowledge and appreciation of Mexican and Spanish culture.