In odd-numbered years, students who have completed at least two years of Spanish have the opportunity to participate in a school-led summer language trip to Paraguay and Brazil. (In even-numbered years, Bethany hosts a group of students from Alberto Schweitzer School, reference below).

The purpose of this trip is for students to cultivate a deeper appreciation of languages and cultures of various peoples in Paraguay and Brazil and to foster better understanding of the worldwide Christian community.

During the trip students visit Paraguay's capital, Asunción, and nearby cities and travel north into the Paraguayan Chaco to visit three of the major Mennonite colonies. In Asunción students live with Christian families and attend afternoon classes at the Alberto Schweitzer School. Students also raise money to assist Sotero Colmán School, which is located in one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city. This money has been used to assist with creating a library and renovating badly-needed restroom facilities.

For the second week the group travels to Brazil to see the Iguaçu Falls and Brazil's ecological capital, the city of Curitiba. The group stays one night at a beach resort on Ilha do Mel.

Trips:

Summer 2009: student article and photos.

Summer 2007: see photos and read several students' highlights.