Last week, Viewpoint celebrated World Languages Week, an opportunity to spotlight students Isabella Fillipakis ’26 and Colin Brun ’26, whose summer study abroad programs in Spain helped them embrace global citizenship by immersing themselves in new languages and cultures.
“It was eye-opening to realize that even though we speak different languages, we’re all so similar in many ways,” said Fillipakis.
Fillipakis, a Junior currently enrolled in AP Spanish, spent three weeks in the coastal city of Almería, Spain, living with a host family and immersing herself in the local culture.
“I was alone for the first time with a host family I didn’t know,” Fillipakis recalled. “It forced me to go outside my comfort zone, and that’s where real growth happens.”
Meanwhile, Brun also spent the summer in Sevilla, Spain, where he stayed with a local family and practiced his Spanish daily.
“I had been studying Spanish since Sixth Grade, but living with a host family took the immersion to a whole new level. Speaking Spanish every day, every moment, really pushed me to improve,” Brun shared. “It was an incredible experience to be part of the culture and use the language in real-life situations.”
For many students, the opportunity to travel abroad isn’t always possible. That’s why Corey Henderson, Department Co-Chair of World Languages, believes events like World Languages Week are so important.
“World Languages Week allows students to experience different cultures without leaving campus. It gives them a glimpse into what life is like in other parts of the world,” Henderson explained.
Through events like a Chinese tea ceremony, a French pétanque game, and an Upper School assembly featuring Korean music and dance, World Languages Week brings the diverse cultures and languages of the world to Viewpoint’s campus.
“I think it’s important to participate in World Languages Week because it can give you a sense of these little pieces of culture that come to campus without having to actually go there,” Fillipakis said. “It’s a way to experience the culture, talk to people in different languages, and take that first step toward immersing yourself.”
Brun added, “Even if you can’t travel abroad, learning about different cultures through events like this opens your eyes to the world around you. It’s so important to see beyond your own surroundings.”
By immersing themselves in diverse cultures, both on campus and abroad, students like Fillipakis and Brun broaden their global perspectives, embrace diversity, and deepen their cultural understanding—ensuring they are "World Ready" at Viewpoint and beyond.