Support Hale Squire's Journey to Argentina

My name is Hale Squire and I'm a sophomore at West Seattle High School. I’ve taken Spanish 1 and am currently taking Spanish 2. I plan to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina in July 2025 with the CIEE Spanish Language and Argentinian Culture Program, and I need your help!

They’ve already granted me a $1,600 Scholarship. I am working to raise $1500 on my own and with your support, I hope to raise $3,500 to cover the remaining costs. The program includes intensive Spanish lessons, housing with a host family, and various cultural learning experiences. For example, we'll get to see a Fútbol match, go horseback riding, and eat barbecue at the Mimosa Estancia (ranch). These are only a few of the opportunities provided.

Why I want to go

I feel very lucky that I was able to travel to Nepal for a month in 1st grade. I played with all the kids in the village we stayed at for some of our stay, bartered for a scarf, and even got stranded at night and rescued by Buddhist monks. Experiencing another culture in that way was amazing, but only being 6 years old, I wasn’t able to take away as much from the trip as I would if I had gone today. By travelling to Argentina at 16, I'm able to have a much more intentional experience and really immerse myself in the rich culture of another country. I hope to come back to the US with many new perspectives. I’m also inspired by my parents, who have travelled all throughout their lives, living for some time in both Quito, Ecuador and Cairo, Egypt. Their experiences have not only shaped who they are as people but they have made lasting connections with friends all over the world. I hope to make similar connections with not only my CIEE group and homestay but the people I meet speaking Spanish during my trip. Apart from my stay, I also look forward to returning home and using my Spanish right here in Seattle!

What I’ll do

Each day will be jam-packed with Spanish learning and practice both through classes with expert language instructors and real life speaking experience with locals as well as fellow students. We’ll explore bustling markets and try different street food, traversing the city’s 48 neighborhoods all while viewing the beautiful old architecture. I’m also eager to see Argentina’s unique geography. We get to fly to Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. (Made up of over 275 individual waterfalls!) Among other places, we’ll also visit the Guira Oga Animal Rescue Sanctuary and the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. I plan on using my trip to work on my photography skills and to capture as many memories as possible. I’m eager to share all of my experiences, and I’ll make a slideshow at the end of my stay showcasing my trip. The slideshow will be available to everyone who makes this trip possible, and I’m excited to be able to take you along for the journey!

Thanks so much for your consideration and support.

I think this will be a gratifying and life-changing experience.

Muchos Gracias,

Hale

If you're interested in learning more about the program:

CIEE Spanish Language and Argentinian Culture