NUCIA CASULA VISITS VALENCIA This trip to Valencia has been an unique experience. I really enjoyed the time I spent here in Valencia because it is a very nice city with lots of friendly people. Life here is quiet and full of things to visit, as we have done. At night the city is busy, especially in bars and clubs where I have had fun. Taronja Spanish School has small classes and nice Spanish teachers, and so, I liked it a lot! Nicolas Bianco   This week we have been to ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’. We have seen the Oceanografic with sharks and the dolphin show. We walked a lot through the city in the afternoon, while at night we danced salsa. One morning we have cooked with Chef Fernando, Tortillas and other typical dishes of Spain. Our families have been very welcoming and friendly and we really enjoyed the experience in Valencia and we would like to live in this city for a few months. Federica and Maria Londino Salardi   This week I spent in the city of Valencia and at Taronja Spanish School, which was an unique and unrepeatable experience. When we arrived at night, we met our Spanish mom. Her name is Charo and she is a very loving and kind woman. Me and my friend Simona liked it a lot because she is a very nice woman and also talkative. We have done many activities, such as Monday afternoon, I went to visit the Museum of Science «Prince Philip», where I had the opportunity to have a look at science from a different point of view, so much fun. Also, on Monday night we went to eat Paella, where I tried different Paellas, as for example the one with fish or the vegetarian Paella. The next day was more exhausting because we walked around the city a lot, in fact, after the Spanish lesson, we went to visit the Oceanografic, where we were able to encounter all marine species (what I liked most were the dolphins, because I’ve seen the show); after the Oceanografic the whole group has gone to the Fallas Museum, which I liked because you can see the dolls of past Fallas. The rest of the week I enjoyed myself a lot, even at the Spanish School, where teachers are very nice and fun, and we also went shopping and eating typical sweets like Churros. I think I will come back to Valencia because for me, it was an unforgettable experience and very very nice. Many kisses. Sharon Selva   This week in Valencia was wonderful. The sun, the sea, the people and the sympathy of the teachers are the things we will remember most from this experience. Every night, there were parties and music in the streets of Valencia. The typical meals are very good, we especially liked a lot Paella, Tortilla, Sangría and Churros. We also have learned some recipes from «Chef Nando» at Taronja School as for example the Spanish Tortilla, Mussels with bread and Andalusian Gazpacho; School was helpful to improve the Spanish in a fun way with games and interesting activities. Our days were unique and unforgettable thanks to these activities. The first two days we visited ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’. The Science Museum ‘Prince Felipe’ was fun and showed how science, which seems to be boring, can be enjoyable. What we liked most was the Oceanographic, walking through the tunnel where it seemed that we were swimming with the fish, taking pictures and watching the dolphin show, was an experience incomparable. One day we hope to return to this magnificent city! Francesca and Federica Lingua Macchi   This experience I liked a lot. I think it’s very important to improve the Spanish language. Classes at the Spanish School Taronja are interesting and fun. The Spanish teachers were lovely and helped us. The activities we did were lively, such as the visit of ‘The City of Arts and Siences’ and the old town. Also important was the contact with the families, because we could experience Spanish culture better, in particular the Valencian culture. For me, this week’s study has served to experience and learn a lifestyle different from ours; Valencia is a great city and people are very nice, talkative and friendly. Valencia is a city with many festivals and so I think, that it is one of the busiest cities in Spain. The organization of the week was very comprehensive and accurate, also the Spanish classes and the visits. What I liked most was the Oceanographic, which is very big and I love the marine world. This experience was unforgettable because Valencia is a city rich in history and culture, where festivals and art reign. Stefania Mangiacotti   My week in Valencia I really liked a lot. I believe this experience is very important to improve my Spanish. Classes at the Spanish School are interesting and fun, the teachers are very charming and helped us, the activities we did, were lively, such as the visit of the ‘The City of Science’ and the old town. Also important was the contact with the families because we could get to know better the Valencian and Spanish culture in general. Families were very chatty. For me this week of study was important to get to know and learn a lifestyle different from ours; Valencia is a beautiful city and the people are very nice, talkative and friendly. In Valencia are many parties and so I think that it is one of the busiest cities in Spain. The organization of the week was very comprehensive and accurate. I visited a lot of things and we had many activities, what I liked most was the Oceanographic. Here are many shops and I love shopping. I want to return to Valencia because it is beautiful. I also loved the nightlife. I think it’s an unforgettable experience. Roberta Sosio   Last Sunday we arrived in Valencia at 20:30 pm and met our Spanish mom called Charo, who is a very loving and kind woman and I love to speak to her because she is very friendly and talkative. On Monday we started the day at school by having Spanish lessons and getting to know our very sympathetic Spanish teachers, especially Elena. In the afternoon we visited ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’, I didn’t like it that much but I consider its architecture very beautiful and interesting. At night we went to Áragon to eat Paella together, the night was a little bit boring but I liked the Paella, especially the one with fish. Tuesday, was for me the most intense day of all, because we were in a restaurant and a hotel to speak to the manager and learn secrets about that world of work. In the afternoon we went to visit the Oceanographic and what I liked most there, was the dolphin show. There have been sharks, dolphins, fish of various kinds, starfish, jellyfish, sea horses, etc. I came home very tired because I walked a lot and when I removed the shoes my feet hurt a lot. At night I ate churros with sugar and they were very very nice! Wednesday was the most boring day of all, I did not like at all walking around the city, but I liked the old town. I tried the Horchata drink but it was bad! How disgusting! I think it was an unforgettable experience, unrepeatable, where I had great fun and learned a lot of Spanish. I hope to return soon, because Valencia is a beautiful city, full of shops and you never get bored. It’s a shame I have to go home but I’m very happy because I can hug my boyfriend, who I have been missing a lot. I give a kiss to everybody I have met here and I hope to see you again in my life. Simona Massaron

KATEDRALSKOLAN (SWEDEN) VISITS TARONJA

Hello! We are five students from Katedralskolan, a school in Sweden. We have been in Valencia for a week – from 23/9 to 29/9. The reason for this trip was to learn more Spanish and experience the Spanish culture. We liked the school for the activities and the Spanish classes. The teachers we had, Sara and Mariajo, are very nice and friendly. The most fun activity was cooking Paella and we have also made Sangría. We think that the school has a very good manner. Erik, Amalia, Ida, Amanda and Natali Boys and girls of the world, we write you from Valencia. We are a group of Swedes studying Spanish at Taronja. We had a fantastic time here and a very intensive trip. We liked the varied classes outside of school. You can learn Spanish and meanwhile experience Valencia at the same time. Kristoffer, Albert, Gabriela, Sandra and Felix Jenny’s Spanish classes were fun and very energetic. Although some of us didn’t like the Tortilla de patatas (potato omlette) we can say that we really enjoyed the tour through the city on the second day, the visit of the Oceanographic, ‘City of Arts and Sciences’, the parks throughout the city, the nightlife in general and THE BEACH! Tina, Caroline, Emily, Olivia, Zara, Julia, Jennifer, Marcus, Henrik and Aidin Hello! We are students from Katedraskolan in Lund, Sweden. We have been here studying at Taronja Spanish School for one week. We have visited several sites in this beautiful city, for example the Oceanographic, where we enjoyed the dolphin show. We have also learned how to prepare Seafood Paella which we loved. The families, who we have been living with, were very friendly and nice. Everything has been such fun and we have learned a lot. We would go back any time! Isak, Emelie, David, Marcus, Lia Hello! We are five students from Katedraskolan in Lund, Sweden. We are eighteen years old and we have been studying Spanish for about 5 years. During our time here in Valencia we have done many fun and interesting things. We discovered places like the Oceanografic, the beach and the Turía Park. Due to the fact that we have lived with families, we experienced authentic Spanish culture. We have also tried new flavors and also very exotic breakfast during the week. We attended a class where we learned how to cook Valencian food. During the Spanish classes at Taronja we have developed our Spanish a lot! We’ve spent a great time and we will miss Spain when we’re not here anymore! Desirée, Johanna, Edvin, Filip and Oskar

The week of February, 27th to March, 2nd the ALFRED NOBEL school visited us. We have to say that it was love at first sight for both sides. So we want to share some of the activities and comments that they have left us. We spent a few great days! Thank you all! «POSTCARDS FROM VALENCIA» Valencia, 01.03.2012 Hello! We are the students from the Doctor Loco class and we want to share our experience in Valencia. How cool! We have been welcomed by the fish, sharks, turtles, sea lions, penguins, beluga whales and the crazy dolphins of the Oceanographic, as also by the sun and the heat of Valencia. School started on Monday but the fun does not stop there. We have learned about the Spanish grammar and the Spanish culture in a fun way with nice games, as for example, the gymkhana. In the afternoon we have gone to the beach where we have played a lot, we have visited the ‘City of Science’ which is very interesting, we have taken a bike through the Turia Garden and the Formula 1 circuit and we have danced salsa. We have enjoyed the typical Valencian flavors like Horchata, Churros and Paella. Now we’re going to the Cooking Class, but we do not forget to thank the families who have been so kind, as also all Valencian people. Hugs and kisses Mario, Angelo, Marco, Simona, Giuseppe, Lorena, Luca and Anna Elena Hello: This week we have made a lot of wonderful things in a city and a school which are very nice like Valencia and Taronja. During the week we have lived in different families who are living in the city center. Some of us have been very fortunate to have lived in good families and to have eaten well. Every day we have done something specific, in fact, we really liked going to the Oceanographic, the beach and the salsa dancing. Actually, we are very tired because our teachers never wanted to go to sleep. We also can not sleep during class. We recommend this experience to everyone because it is great to live in Valencia and to be capable to do everything we want, but always by following the rules: rules of the city, family rules and the rules of having fun… hihihi XD Gennaro, Simone and Alessandro (Torre del Greco) Hey guys! We are Italians who are in Valencia to study Spanish at Taronja School. Here it is great. Teachers are very entertaining, friendly and good. Every day we do different activities. We have visited the Oceanographic, the Science Museum, the old city by bike, we have gone to dance Salsa, to eat Paella, etc. And our host families are very good, but do not know how to cook. Here in Valencia everything is beautiful. Most people are friendly but there are also dislikable people. Everyone is sure to come back, because it is a very entertaining city and we advise to everybody to come to Spain and especially to Valencia. Kisses The students at Taronja Alessandra, Federica, Francesco Gianmarco, Liugi and Roberta (Torre del Greco)   MEMORIES AND UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS, RIGHT? Both in the classroom and during the excursions we had a blast.                 AND WHAT ABOUT OUR ARTISTIC TALENT! We also had a great time with our imitations and theater. From «The Colombian and Mexican soap operas» to the original mini-play «A very strange disease», role-plays on a bus in everyday situations, the imitation of our teachers in Italy or the surprising prepositional poem: PrEpOSiTIoNaL POeM WHEN looking at your eyes my soul is happy BEFORE the sea the moon turns black UNDER the power of your love WITH the heart I smell your scent AGAINST everyone goes our love SINCE I heard your voice, I found my heart DURING each breath I look at you IN your eyes I lose my soul IN your hair I find it again AFTER waiting a thousand years UNTIL tomorrow TROUGH poetry I told you what I feel BY looking at you I hope for luck BECAUSE OF your smile I become ash IN my opinion you are the woman of my life ABOVE a star as your paella all we loved. You have made real artists!  

Valencia is a very nice and interesting city. We spent one week in a Valencian family and visited the most famous monuments of Valencia. There are many buildings with a very interesting history and they also have many different styles. The first day we visited the old town and went to the Plaza de la Virgen. On the second day we visited the Central Market where we bought many things. It was built in modern style. We also visited the ‘City of Sciences’, we liked the exposition very much. One attraction was the Oceanográfico with the dolphinarium. We saw many underwater animals such as sharks, beluga whales, starfish, seahorses and seals. We loved the dolphin show a lot. Seeing the beach and the sea – a big surprise. Each afternoon we had classes, which is fun. We talked and learned a lot. We believe that speaking Spanish after one week is a lot easier. The trip was interesting, impressive and fascinating. In short, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Valencia.  

Markus, Thomas, Jakob y Lisa

VALENCIA TASTES LIKE… This week at TARONJA School we have dedicated ourselves to enjoy some Valencian food and drinks. Each student in the class has chosen a delicious type of food that he wanted to try and we went searching for it in bars and restaurants throughout the city, to experience the feeling of being a gourmet for a day! After various tastings, students wanted to share these experience with us and have told us what they think of the Valencian cuisine. This activity has left us a very good taste! ROSA. PAELLA. I’ve eaten Paella. I like the taste of saffron and seafood. I also have eaten Paella with chicken and rabbit but I did not like. I want to cook the Valencian Paella at home in Germany. GIORGIA AND VIVIEN. CHURROS. I’ve already tried Churros but without chocolate. I like it a lot. We have seen it only here in Valencia. We really liked the taste but I think they are very heavy. There are many shops in the street and it is ready to eat right away. All streets in Valencia smell like Churros. MALCOM. HORCHATA AND FARTONS. I’ve gone twice to a Horchatería drinking Horchata and eating Fartons with Horchata. I went to the Santa Catalina Horchatería because I was told, that it is the best Horchatería in Valencia. I really liked this drink and afterwards I have not been tired. I have paid 3.50€. The professor said that it is made out of groundnuts. MAREIKE. SANGRíA. In Valencia I’ve tried Sangría, which is a typical drink in Spain. I drank Sangría in a bar during a Paella Party. I like Sangría because it reminds me of summer.                 LEE. HWASEOP. TORTILLA. This dish is very tasty and easy to prepare. To make this meal you need four potatoes, ham, five or six eggs, a pepper, olive oil, one or two onions and salt. Depending the person, but normaly it is easy to prepare.

A WEEK IN VALENCIA FROM NUCIA CASULA! We have had a great week! We have practiced and improved our Spanish from «buenos días» to «buenas noches», also while we were eating! On Monday we went to the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’ walking through the Turia Park with orange trees and fountains. There we also visited the Prince Felipe Museum where we found out the percentage of our body fat, mirrors which make you appear fat or thin and thousands of other curiosities. The first day ended with a «Paella Party» where we ate our fills! The next day, after the usual Spanish class, «we took a dip» in the wonderful world of the Oceanogràfic and we talked to dolphins, sharks and other marine species! The most beautiful experience of the visit was the underwater tunnel through the tropical fish aquarium. After this adventure we went to the Fallas Museum. We loved the dolls very much. How cool! Delvecchio Martina, Martina Morando, Debora Martella, Elisa Nani, Sara Milaneschi 🙂

TRIP TO SPAIN We came to Valencia by plane on Monday night. Then we went to the hotel located in the city center. We liked it a lot because it is very well-equipped and clean. This trip has been very interesting and informative but what matters is that we have learned many things, especially through talking to people in the streets, but also by making games in order to get to know the monuments. We have discovered many places of the city and various customs and legends of Valencia. In school we have learned many new words, in particular some Valencian words. And we  also did a cooking lesson where Chef Nando showed us how to cook paella which is a typical Spanish dish. Rosamaria La Vecchia TARONJA SCHOOL AND ITS TEACHERS In Taronja School we have learned many things while talking to professor Luis, who has taught us new words. Thanks to him the lessons were very interesting and very informative but also very entertaining. From Tuesday to Thursday, we have studied a little grammar and have done a lot of talking, while Friday morning we have made a ‘gymkhana’ where we talked to people in the streets. Christina Di Napoli THE BULLFIGHTING MUSEUM When we went to the bullfighting museum we saw a very good video about all the steps taken before the fights. Before coming to the arena the bulls are in a place where they can eat and relax for four years. After this period they are moved to the arena and they are put behind the arena. On the day of the fights, the bulls enter the arena and fight against a team of bullfighters and the bullfighter has to kill the bull. After this video we have seen the suits of very famous bullfighters in Valencia and some pictures of how the bulls live and in this room is also a stuffed bull. Giusy Acampa VISIT OF THE CENTRAL MARKET We have visited the Central Market on Wednesday, 14 December. Marta, our guide,  has given us a duty to do. We had to ask some questions to people at the market. I was paired with my friend Giusy. The walk through the market has been a lot of fun. The market is very large and has many different food stores and then, me and my friend, we have made a series of photographs of food, as for example oranges, cabbage and fish. Also people have been very helpful and friendly. This visit I liked a lot and has been very useful for conversation practice. Giulia Emigrato COOKING CLASS WITH THE GREAT CHEF NANDO In school we have had a cooking lesson with Chef Nando this Wednesday, where we prepared the typical dish of Valencia: the seafood paella. He has explained all the steps of the dish, from the beginning to the end, in a very sympathetic and funny way…also breaking the mortar! The ingredients were: round rice, red peppers, onions, peas, shrimp, squid, tomato, mussels, olive oil and a little salt. Afterwards we ate the Paella and we liked it a lot! Fabiana Pandolfelli   VISIT OF THE FALLAS MUSEUM Last Wednesday we went to visit the Fallas Museum at the Plaza de Monteolivete, near the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. It is a typical museum of the city of Valencia dedicated to the Fallas. The Fallas is a period of celebration, held in spring from March 1st to 19th, the day of San José. During this period the streets are crowded and noisy because of firecrackers and fireworks. And the most important part are the Fallas, doll sculptures that are put in the street, made out of materials that can be burned because on the last day, traditionaly the dolls are going to be burned. To built them, the artisans need a lot of time, about one year. In this museum we have seen a video and after that, the exposure showing the work of the artisans and pictures which show different falleras from this time. About the dolls, we can say that they are made with a lot of fantasy. Some represent famous novels and each year the most beautiful works «win» a place in the museum. These «works of art» have a great value ranging from € 4,500 to € 12,000. We really liked this museum because it has a lot of charme and we also liked the warning of the people’s attachment to this tradition (especially in the video), despite the complaints about the waste of money spent to celebrate the Fallas. Sara and Serena Ginestous Ucelli VISIT AT THE MUVIM (Valencian Museum of Illustration and Modernity) When we went to the MUVIM we made a trip back in time. From the beginning of the world until today we have discovered many secrets of artistic and literary history through the displayed images. Our guide was very special because he had a black robe that covered his whole body, so at first we were a little scared, but then everything was interesting and suggestive. We have gone through  time walking down dark corridors and following our guides from one century to another. In short, the visit was very nice and we all liked it. Francesca Contini THE GYMKHANA Today we have had a very interesting experience: We have had a gymkhana organized by Taronja School for us Italian students. This activity started at about 9am and our teacher, Luis, has given us a sheet with some questions about different places and topics. This game was about the interaction with people and places of Valencia. It has been a lot of fun. We had to do the following: asking people in the streets about the tallest building in the city, the Horchata, their favorite place, the characteristics of the Valencian people and the names of three famous people originally from Valencia; taking pictures of objects starting with Z and T, street furniture with a particular utility, decorative street furniture and a display window, and also describe the photos; searching for two bookstores near the school, enter those and ask the librarian about Spanish books, books for foreigners and the most sold ones throuhout the year; going to the train station ‘Estacion del Norte’ and ask people about the fruit that is painted on the facade, which animal was on the roof when the building was constructed, and also taking a picture with one person in front of the station; also, finding out how to become a new user of Valenbisi; going to an information office for subway and busses, and asking how to get to the Mestalla Stadium and the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’ departing from the Spanish School; and finally, finding a souvenir shop and asking the shopkeeper which the most sold object is and furthermore why this object is representative of Valencia. Sara and Serena Ginestous Ucelli

The trip to Valencia began at the airport in Vienna. The flight went very well and without problems. When we arrived in Valencia our temporal Valencian mothers welcomed us. On that day we visited the old town. There are many different styles such as the Roman, Gothic and also Moderno. We especially like the Miguelete tower. On Monday we went to the beach, but it was a pity that we could not swim. After that we drank a horchata and for dinner we ate paella. The next day we went to the market and bought some Valencian specialities such as Turron. On Tuesday we walked around the city and the parks in the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. There we went to the Science Museum and saw the exhibition which was very interesting and fascinating. It was worth it. On Friday we visited the Oceanográfico, which is also located in the ‘City of Arts and Sciences’. There we enjoyed the variety of sea animals such as sharks, jellyfish, seals and other fish. The climax was the dolphin show in which dolphins were doing awesome tricks.

Tamara, Christian y Dominik