Travel Opportunity for LCHS 7/8 Students in 2026-2027

Written By Beth Johnson

The Sister Cities team is thrilled to share that we will have another travel exchange program for our LCHS middle school Spanish students this year!

Students have the opportunity to experience a different culture, visit new places and live the life of a Spanish student in Spain! 

A Sister Cities International student exchange involves students traveling and staying with host families. Your student will be paired with a student/family there and your student will host the same Spanish student when they come to visit. LCHS Principal Dr. Jarrett Gold will be the trip chaperone.

Key hosting and travel dates:

  • Students from the SEK school in Villanueva de la Cañada will visit LCHS from January 8-17, 2027.

  • LCHS 7/8 students will visit Spain and the SEK school outside of Madrid from April 5-12, 2027.

Please note: Dates are not yet final as of 9/21/26 and might fluctuate by a few days based on air travel restrictions and final availability.

Informational Zoom Meeting:

  • Dr. Gold will share an informational Zoom for interested families on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00pm. Please reach out to him for the Zoom link and for any additional details at: jgold@lcusd.net.

Application process:

  • Families of interested students should download our materials and be sure to turn in the following two required forms:

    1. Guidelines for Hosting Exchange Students

    2. Application Form - REQUIRED

    3. LCF Sister Cities Medical Release Form - REQUIRED

  • Please review the Hosting Guidelines and then fill out the mandatory Application and Medical Release forms and email those two completed forms to Tamar Tujian: tamar@thetujians.com. (If needed, you can print the forms and fill them out, then scan them and email them. The forms can also be printed and given to Dr. Gold with the required program fee deposit check.)

    • FYI, information in the application form is used to match applicants with student buddies from Spain with similar interests. It’s important that applicants be thorough with their answers so that they have the best chance to match with a fellow student that they will enjoy spending time with.

  • All applicants must submit a $1,775.00 non-refundable deposit for the trip via check. The check will only be deposited if a student is accepted into the program and the parents are notified. All payments thereafter can be made online or via check to Dr. Gold when installment payments are due. Checks should be made out to The La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities Association. Initial deposit checks should be given to Dr. Gold when the application form is submitted.

  • Applications and initial deposits must all be submitted before Friday, October 2, 2026.

  • Applicants will be notified in mid-October if they will be able to participate in this year’s Spain trip and host a Sister City student.

Cost information and payment process:

  • The per-student cost will be $3,275.00. This fee includes airfare, transfers and excursion fees.

  • Applicant families are required to make a non-refundable initial deposit of $1,775.00 before October 2, 2026. That check is only deposited if students are accepted into the program.

  • Further payments will be collected over time, with the last payment due on or before December 18, 2026.

  • Please note: Families paying installments by credit card will be required to pay a mandatory additional 3% cost to coverage the additional payment processing costs. Families paying by physical check or using ACH via Stripe online will NOT be required to pay an additional 3% fee.

Travel information:

  • Please make sure your student’s passport is valid through October 2027. If it will expire prior to that time, you MUST renew their passport ASAP to ensure they can participate. It MAY take a few months.

  • Local hosting: The cost includes chaperone travel expenses and stay, and hosting our visiting students when they are here with activities that might include visiting Universal Studios, a Warner Brothers Studios tour, seeing Aquarium of the Pacific, and/or other activities organized and paid for by LCF Sister Cities.

  • International travel: Student travel in Spain may include —

    • Participation in a VdLC Town Hall meeting with the Mayor and a visit to El Escorial Monastery.

    • A visit to Toledo.

    • SEK El Castillo Day, where students shadow their buddies and participate in activities.

    • A visit to Segovia.

    • Attendance at Santiago Bernabu Stadium (where Real Madrid soccer/football plays).

    • A visit to Madrid.

Thank you for your interest in this exciting program!

Beth Johnson
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