TICágora

Gran Capitán student Rocío Espinosa Varón took first prize in the Bilingual Project Photography Contest, «Córdoba: Hidden in Plain Sight«.
Rocío’s photo, «Patrons with the Protector«, showed a display case on Córdoba’s famous Roman Bridge, with the reflection of the statue of San Rafael and the San Rafael Bridge in the background.

The second prize went to Noelia Morales Rubio, with her eye-catching photo of «Starfish in the Mezquita.» Elena Mebrives Sepúlveda came in third with «Dark and Light«, showing contrasting views of the stained glass window of San Lorenzo Church.

Rocío´s write-up: I chose this picture because the reflection of The Archangel San Rafael in the morning seemed very pretty to me and also because it is found in one of the most visited tourist areas of Cordoba and hardly known. It is newly built. The picture shows the altar dedicated to the patron saints of Cordoba, San Acisclo and Santa Victoria, located in the Roman Bridge, in a glass protected display case. Inside are engraved the names of the saints and palms that symbolize martyrdom. We can see the reflection of the statue of San Rafael (The Protector of Cordoba), which stands on an altar and at its feet is a shelf to place candles. Also, we can see the reflection of the San Rafael Bridge.

Noelia´s write-up: In the west wall of the Mezquita we can find a fossil of a starfish. It draws my attention because the legend says that if you put your hand on it and you can make a wish and this will be fulfilled.

Elena´s write-up: It is a Romanesque Gothic Rosette, 13th century that belongs to the Church of San Lorenzo. In this picture you can see it from outside and from inside the church, its colours change with the light and season of the year. I chose this picture because it has a lot of symbolism for Cordoba.

The photograph contest was the latest in a series of outward cultural activities in which the Bilingual Project students have participated this year.

Last December, they enjoyed a visit to the Medina Azahara, with its new archaeological museum. They attended an English-speaking guided tour within the museum, by a tourist officer. Each student read a description in English of one of the parts of the caliphate city.

Later, in January, the group toured some of Córdoba’s most beautiful hotels, including the Parador Arruzafa, the Ayre Hotel, the Cordoba Centre Hotel, and the Adelfas Hotel. It was a good opportunity to learn about the hospitality business directly from the professionals.

In addition, the students took a tour of the historical center of Córdoba in March, using audio-guides that they had recorded themselves in English. Accommodation training course´s students joined a tour that included a visit to the recently opened Casas de la Judería, a five-star hotel in a building of outstanding beauty and history. Jose Aguilera of the Information Technology Department adapted the recorded audio files to be heard on mobile phones.

These cultural activities have helped the students to learn more about their home town of Córdoba, as well as giving them the chance to improve their English.

In addition to these outward activities, the bilingual project has enabled the students to get closer to the American culture. With the valuable help of our American language assistant, Scott Lowrey, students have experienced in class a number of American cultural traditions such as Halloween, or Thanksgiving Day.

Furthermore, they have known important figures like the human rights icon, Martin Luther King. But, what´s more significant, they have undertaken a bilingual learning process.

Students, on behalf of TRAVEL AGENCY BILINGUAL PROJECT TEAM, we hope you have made profit of the bilingual activities carried out within the project throughout the course. Thanks for your collaboration.

English language teacher. Lourdes Ventura.
English language assistant, Scott Lowrey.
Bilingual Project coordinator, David Romero.