hola! hola! hola!
provider specialized in relationship-based learning programs in Spain
2025-2026 2025-2026
LA MERIDIONAL FOSTERS LEADERSHIP
AND INTERCULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING
THROUGH RELATIONSHIP-BASED LEARNING
"I warn you, whoever you are, you, who wish to explore the secrets of nature, that if you do not find within yourself what you are looking for, Neither can you find it outside. If you ignore the excellences of your own house, How do you intend to find other excellences? In you is hidden the Treasure of treasures. Know yourself and you will know the universe and the Gods.
-Oracle of Delphi- Greece, 8th century B.C.E.
WHO WE ARE
We are a passionate team of educators based in Valencia (Spain), specializing in relationship-based learning.
With decades of experience, we create programs that foster meaningful connections, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Let us guide you through Spain’s rich heritage while immersing yourself in unique rural communities to develop global competence.
PROGRAMS
The core of our programs lies in immersive experiences within rural communities, where students actively engage with local members, fostering mutual understanding and broadening perspectives.
Guided by our accompaniment approach, our programs blend culture, language, community immersion, and a curriculum centered on Global Competence. Additionally, we oversee every aspect of risk management and logistics to deliver a safe, enriching, and relationship-based learning experience.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Accompaniment approach: through stories, testimonials, and interactions with active local citizens, participants gain a deeper understanding of intra-community relationships, their connection to the environment, and their broader impact on a global scale.
COMPONENTS
THE GLOBAL COMPETENCE
La Meridional's Curriculum integrates games, activities and reflective exercises, grounded in The Global Competence framework: knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values applied to intercultural contexts. This approach is informed by the PISA Study (OECD).
CONNECTION TO LAND
Our program narratives are deeply rooted in the land beneath our feet. The communities we collaborate with, the cultural visits, and the activities, are all tied to the region we explore and its unique context. We specialize in Spain and Morocco.
LANGUAGES
Language is the key to accessing culture. Our programs integrate language learning and practice transversally, allowing participants to connect with local traditions, understand historical contexts, and gain deeper insights into the communities they engage with.
MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY
VVALÈNCIA ALÈNCIA
Mediterranean ecosystems AND roots culture
València, an autonomous region in eastern Spain, boasts a strong identity, rich history, and lively culture. It faces challenges such us the climate emergency, migrations, and low birth rates.
This program immerses participants in rural Mediterranean life, practicing Spanish with homestay families, while engaging in workshops. Nature is always present in this program.
We delve into socio-political issues, reflecting on minoritized identities, Mediterranean migration flows, Democratic Memory policies, and youth concerns. Through the region’s root culture Jota dance, pigeon racing, esparto, rituals and ancestral traditions we gain insight into the resilience and values of Valencian people.
This program definitely dismantles stereotypes about Spain.
detailed sample itinerary
"It is a beautiful, powerful and a unique experience; Because what this program gives you, and what you receive in return, combines fun and learning in a meaningful way and exposes you to experience the local culture. Thank you for the best trip of my life."
detailed sample itinerary
THE SOUTH GATE THE SOUTH GATE ANDALUSIA ANDALUSIA
“I felt that it was a real immersion into Andalusia. We visited places I wouldn’t think of and were with locals and tasted their food and heard their stories. I think it made me open-minded and helped me learn how to respect others from different cultures.“
Andalusia, a historic crossroads of cultures, boasts a wealth of history, culture, and natural splendor, epitomized by architectural marvels like the Alhambra and the Mezquita. This program focuses on migration, offering encounters with vulnerable communities through initiatives like the Spanish Refugee Aid Commission and self-managed projects.
Participants also explore Doñana National Park, facing threats from urbanization and climate change. The Roma community, integral to Andalusian diversity, shares its traditions and struggles, with opportunities to engage through the Roma Foundation ‘Joy’ and the Roma Secretariat Foundation.
Immersing in millennial streets, caves, villages, and cities, alongside embracing local arts, promises transformative experiences for all involved.
CASTILLA CASTILLA
the Iberian plateau the Iberian plateau
Spanish Language
Origins and Rural Life
Castilla, the plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, is the birthplace of Castilian, the Spanish language. This program offers a journey through its rich cultural heritage, from the grandeur of Madrid's national museums, the Segovia fortress, and Toledo's synagogues to the serene beauty of rural villages and farming landscapes. Participants will practice their Spanish in immersive settings while exploring the history of this globally influential language, including visits to Cervantes' birthplace and the Monasterio de Silos, where the first poem in Spanish was written.
Adventurous activities like kayaking and hiking in Guadarrama national park are paired with reflections on the challenges of rural life, as well as the dynamics of the interrelationship between religion, power, art, colonialism and culture.
“Practicing my Spanish daily with locals and learning on-site about the origins of the language made the experience unforgettable. I connected with the region’s beauty and complexity, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for rural life, my global identity, and the impact of history on the world today.”
detailed sample itinerary
SEPHARAD SEPHARAD
“It boosted my confidence in my Spanish-speaking skills, and my awareness as a global citizen reached new heights as I learned about other people’s stories. I gained a deeper understanding of my roots and history, and I had the chance to truly honor them.”
Origin, diaspora and return
Embark on a captivating journey delving into the history, culture, and identity of Sephardic Jews in Spain.
Explore the vibrant Sephardic communities in cities like Toledo, Córdoba, and Lucena, reflecting on the interplay of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian cultures, and the global dispersion of the Sephardic diaspora. Witness the revival of Sephardic heritage, including the preservation of Ladino language and unique traditions, alongside the contemporary return of Sephardic Jews to Spain, particularly in Melilla.
Discover the evolving relationship between Spain and the Sephardic diaspora, with a focus on mutual rediscovery and contemporary integration.
With visits to historic synagogues, cultural centers, and encounters with Sephardic communities, this educational journey offers insights into a resilient and enduring connection with Sepharad.
CANTABRIC COAST CANTABRIC COAST
Atlantic doorway Atlantic doorway
Local identity facing cultural homogenization
The Cantabrian coast offers a unique perspective of the Iberian Peninsula that contrasts with the typical images of the country. Its rugged geography, marked by the proximity of the sea and the mountains, has shaped a culture deeply connected to nature, tradition and sustainability. We will learn about the tradition of circular economy in artisanal food production. We will appreciate the Celtic, Roman and medieval influences in architecture, regional languages and traditions still alive in rural communities that give a genuine cultural and historical diversity. We will observe how communities manage their local identity in a changing world. We will visit the Altamira Caves to explore the ancestral connection with the land. And we will walk El Camino de Santiago as a metaphor for learning: reflecting on the journey, the connection with self and others, and the importance of cultural exchange through the centuries.
"I felt this program made me aware of myself and the things around me but it also made me realize how much more I want to learn"
"This experience helped me see how culture is constantly evolving. It also broadened my perspective and made me think more critically about my own culture and my role in an interconnected world."
Legacy of Sea and Stone Legacy of Sea and Stone CATALONIA CATALONIA identity, sustainability, and cultural coexistence
Catalonia, shaped by its history, language, and culture, has long been a bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean. Its capital, Barcelona, offers a unique blend of local traditions and global trends, reflecting the region's adaptation to a changing environment.
Participants will explore Catalonia’s deep connection to the Mediterranean sea, from the ancient Greek city of Empúries to the fishing heritage of Cadaqués, which inspired artists like Dalí and Picasso. Visits to Barcelona’s modernist and Gothic landmarks, Dalí’s Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Girona’s cathedral and Jewish quarter, mountain villages and a conservation coastal project, provide insight into the region's rich cultural mosaic.
This program provides tools to develop global competencies by connecting with local communities and critically reflecting on contemporary issues such as sustainable tourism, heritage management and self-governance.
DECONSTRUCTING THE TWO SHORES DECONSTRUCTING THE TWO SHORES
ALANDALÚS ALANDALÚS
Andalusi culture, post-coloniALISM, and HUMAN RIGHTS
Alandalús, the European southern regions once part of the Arab World, symbolize peaceful coexistence, multiculturalism, and interfaith dialogue.
Positioned at the meeting point of Africa and Europe, known as the Pillars of Hercules, this region, referred to as "Al-Adwatayn: The Two Shores” fostered fruitful exchange and a shared cultural foundation.
However, the Schengen area's emergence, border fences, and south-north migration have reshaped perspectives. Many Iberian cities owe their essence to the medieval Muslim era, alongside the influence of Christian kingdoms and Spanish-French colonialism in Morocco, leaving lasting impacts.
This itinerary aims to dismantle myths and explore present-day relationships from our Andalusian core.
"I have learned a lot about history and I have lived the culture that has inspired me to be more curious and aware of the world.
I believe one of my largest takeaways was the importance of non-verbal communication. I found myself being more open to new connections."
MOROCCO MOROCCO
"The program has helped me discover myself. I feel empowered and capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I also learned how easily stereotypes can be broken."
Amazigh
culture,
spirituality and community
In the heart of the High Atlas, in the Azzaden Valley, we will discover the the Amazigh people, which means the free people.
Amazigh culture encompasses indigenous peoples of North Africa. It celebrates rich traditions in music, dance, art, and language. Influenced by diverse landscapes, it emphasizes community values, spirituality, and a deep connection to nature.
In this hidden valley we will delve into Sufism, history and the daily life of rural community: baking breads, planting trees, carpet making, cooking delicious tajin and hiking just under the magnificent Toubkal pick.
Discover your full potential surrounded by snowy mountains, apple and hazel crops, streams and fresh air.
ITALIA ITALIA
Mediterranean & Classic Cultures Mediterranean & Classic Cultures
“This program made me to be more friendly and interactive with others, to be eager to travel more into new places. This trip changed the way I see history and its influence on the world around us. Walking the streets of Pompeii and Roman Forum, it is unforgettable” art, power and history
Through close readings of Latin texts at historic sites, students discover Latin’s lasting influence.
As we travel through Rome, Vatican City, Bracciano, and the ancient Pompeii, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, we hear Latin’s echoes in contemporary Italian, and unlock meanings in modern languages.
Italy’s renowned cities and hidden corners offer deep insights into its identity and our perceptions. Exploring Lazio and Campania regions prompts critical thinking about the connections between cultural traditions and the natural environment.
By tracing Italy’s history, we understand how art, architecture, and power shape public spaces. This program provides a unique opportunity to explore Italy’s classic cultural heritage and its ongoing influence on the Western world.
GREECE GREECE
Mediterranean & Classic Cultures Mediterranean & Classic Cultures
“This experience helped me see history, culture, and identity in a completely new way, making me reflect on my own place in the world. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the privilege and power I have to make a difference.”
mythology, migrations and architecture
Greece, the navel of the world, offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of ancient traditions that have shaped Mediterranean identity for millennia and contemporary realities.
From the bustling streets of Athens to the sacred site of Delphi and the legendary ruins of Mycenae, we will walk in the footsteps of ancient philosophers and storytellers. We will uncover the deep connection between mythology and daily life in classical Greece at the Acropolis, the Epidaurus Theatre, and the Oracle of Trophonius.
Beyond history, the program delves into modern Greece, gaining insight into contemporary migration flows and social resilience. Hands-on experiences, such as connecting with a center for migrant and refugee women, kayaking, and hiking, provide a holistic understanding of Greece’s cultural evolution.
