ASA: Academic Study Associates 2008 Programs

The first week in Tarifa was a whirlwind of events (literally...Tarifa is not the world capital of windsurfing for nothing!) The students have had an exciting time getting settled in with their Spanish families, and their Spanish is improving in leaps and bounds. Classes are challenging but fun, and they are learning a lot. They got to practice some of their Spanish on a tapas sampling tour in which we all enjoyed a variety of small plates typical to Andalusia such as gazpacho, fried fish, and cured meats and cheeses. The students moved from eating to preparing in their first Spanish cooking class, where they learned to make a tortilla espanola or Spanish omelette (eggs, potatoes, and onions...a delicious everyday staple) and the ever-popular dessert flan. We also began guitar and windsurfing classes which are always fun (again, the wind is a factor so we are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather!)

We ended our first week in Tarifa with a spirited 4th of July barbecue in the ASA staff house, and everyone had a blast. On Saturday we went on an excursion to the nearby coastal town of Malaga, where we saw some amazing paintings at the Picasso Museum and capped off the day in the flashy shopping districts around the marina in Puerto Banús.

Tuesday we head off for an overnight excursion to Granada, where we will visit the Alhambra, the spectacular castle of the last Moorish king in Spain. We will also walk the winding streets of the famous Albayzin district and tour Granada's beautiful cathedral. More updates coming soon!

Yesterday was a fun-filled day. Your children arrived at their homestay locations yesterday and were very excited to meet their families who were anxiously awaiting their arrival. After their first meal with their families, we took a tour of the homestay locations to show the students several important places in the town (i.e. where the teachers live, how to use the atm machines, where you can buy a phone card, where you go to use the internet, etc.). Afterwards your children went home to watch the Eurocup final game between Spain and Germany. It was a very close game but Spain was victorious. ¡Viva España! After scoring the only goal of the game you could hear the roar of excitement and sheer joy throughout all of Spain. Click here to see a short video of the excitement. Once the game had ended everyone was singing and cheering, and proudly waving their Spanish flags through the streets. Many students went out with their families to witness the festivities. What an experience!
Today your students had their first day of classes in which they will take a placement test to decide what class will best suite their needs. Tonight also starts the first evening of activities. Some of your children are windsurfing right now!

Dear ASA in Tarifa students and parents:

Only 2 days left! You should have received by now your ASA T-shirt and "before you go" information. Please wear your ASA t-shirt on your travel date regardless of whether you are on the group flight or not: that is the only way we can recognize you.

If you are travelling on the group flight you have been issued an e-ticket therefore you only need your passport to travel. You should have already received your itinerary from STA.

The Orientation hotel has changed and we will now stay at Hotel Guadalete on June 28th. The new hotel information was already sent out to you on the "before you go" sheet but please find it below:

Hotel Guadalete
Avda. Duque de Abrantes, 84
Jerez de la Frontera
Tel: 34 956 182288

The ASA Spanish in España office contact information is as follows, and the office will be staffed from June 29th onwards:

Tel: 011 34 956 45 61 71
E-mail: spainoffice@asaprograms.com

We can´t wait to meet you!

Saludos,

ASA Spanish in España

Dear ASA in Tarifa parents and students:

For the lucky ones (parents get to stay home – sorry!) is just a month before we’ll be in sunny Spain not understanding a word anyone is saying and eating tapas galore. Before that happens, here is what you can expect from now until we leave on June 27th.

Shortly, you will be receiving your ASA t-shirt and luggage tags, along with airport maps and final travel details for the group flight. I will be in touch with those students who are flying independently to arrange a meeting time and place.

At the beginning of June, you will receive your homestay family information in the mail. In addition it will also be posted at myasa and you will be notified by e-mail as soon as it is ready for you to view. Your homestay family will be in touch with you to tell you a little more about themselves; please contact them also.

I have recently sent out reminders about missing forms and travel information. Please make sure to send these forms in as soon as possible, as the deadline is June 1st. If you have questions on what you are missing, you can check your myasa account or follow up with me directly.

Remember to review the orientation handbook which will prepare you for budgeting and packing information.

Enjoy the long weekend and feel free to contact me with any questions.

I hope you are getting as excited as I am for our month in Tarifa!

Saludos,

Marta

Welcome to ASA News & Updates! As you finish off the school year, ASA will keep you posted with important information through this feature to prepare you for your time in Spain. Once you arrive at program, staff onsite in Tarifa will post updates to the site regularly, reporting back to those at home on all of our travel and cultural adventures, including photos.

Please make sure you subscribe to 'News & Updates' now so as not to miss any pre-program details. Encourage family and friends to subscribe as well so that they can see all that you're up to in Spain this summer.

Also make sure to complete all of the ASA forms that are due before departure. If you are not sure what is missing from your file, please log on to your MyASA account, where you’ll be able to check the status and download any necessary forms. Thank you, and look out for the next update!