A Mom of a Foreign Exchange Student

[gallijo]

Hello (Hola ~ and that is my Spanish) - I have a High School student studying at Jorge Juan School in San Fernando Spain. He is a junior there and will be there the entire year. We are very proud and excited for him. Of course, being the Mom, I miss him dearly and want to know more about where he is and what he might be experiencing. Does anyone know of his school? Are there good websites about San Fernando? :thumbs-up:

Thank you for your interest in helping me out!

Mom Galli

[Marina]

Hi Galli and welcome to the forums.

Could you give us some more details? is this San Fernando in Cadiz? or is it other San Fernando like San Fernando de Henares?

[gallijo]

Hello Marina
My son is in San Fernando near/in Cadiz. He has been there approximately one month and started school at Jorge Juan on Sept. 22, 2006.

Thank you

[Marina]

I've never been to San Fernando, however Cadiz in general is a lovely place to be. People are very friendly and the nature is amazing. You should go and visit him at some point and all your fears will disapear.

Is your son staying in a Family or in School?

Is there anyone from Cadiz or that goes to Cadiz for holidays that can give us more info about San Fernando???

[gallijo]

My son is part of a very large family, with up to 9 members in the house. From the Mom (Grandma) down to a great grand baby. He is really enjoying all the members. He walks to school each day.

Does anyone know what the holiday schedule is generally for Christmas and New Years for high school students?

I look forward to any information, thank you for your interest.

[Bolboreta]

Does anyone know what the holiday schedule is generally for Christmas and New Years for high school students?

*looks at calendar*

He'll most likely finish his classes on Friday December 22 and start again on Monday January 8. The Christmas holidays usually go from a couple days before Christmas eve, till the 8th of January (because the 6th is "Día de Reyes" and kids usually have the 7th free too [to play with the presents :D] which never changed in High School, and doesn't really matter this year 'cause it's a Sunday)

[omeyas]

Don't know a lot about San Fernando, apart from the fact that we caught the train from there.(no, not the last train!;-)) We have stayed in Vejer de la Frontera several times, and twice we have been to the Feria del Caballos in Jerez de la Frontera, and it's far easier to park near the station in San Fernando and take the train to Jerez. Looks a pretty built up, unattractive sort of place to me.
Is he the Naval Academy in San Fernando?

[gallijo]

My son goes to Jorge Juan high school, he is a junior. He goes to the beach a lot, I would believe this is in Cadiz. He said it is about a 5 minute bus ride from San Fernando. Is Jerez a vaction/beach town?

[omeyas]

My son goes to Jorge Juan high school, he is a junior. He goes to the beach a lot, I would believe this is in Cadiz. He said it is about a 5 minute bus ride from San Fernando. Is Jerez a vaction/beach town?

Jerez is inland, between Cádiz and Sevilla. Famous for it's sherry (that's where the name comes from) Horse Fair and Motor Racing circuit. Well, that's what I always think of when I think of Jerez. Mainly because when we go in May, it's the month of the Horse Fair and sometimes the Motorcyle GP. When the motorcycle GP is on, there are literally thousands and thousands of "moteros" everywhere, doing "wheelies", "haciendo caballitos" etc. Common sense seems to go out the window, the police turn a blind eye, and several end up getting killed every year!! http://miarroba.com/foros/ver.php?foroid=524605&temaid=5049699
The rest of the year, it's a bit quieter!
We have a flamenco guitarist in the group here that lives in Jerez, he'll probably know San Fernando better.

[gallijo]

Thank you Frank
I look forward to any other additional information about the area, festivals, culture and people. My son, said that everyday his house fills up with guest that come for coffee and toast with the host mom. He is still trying to understand if they are family or friends. His host mom cooks for 9 people everyday - I hope that she has help. My son has tried to help but it is her kitchen :)

Thank you
Mom Galli