Brewster Madrid’s American Experience Cohort Settles In

By Kara McDuffee

Leaving your school midyear to study in another country for seven weeks sounds like a major change. But for seven Brewster Madrid students, it’s not about starting over; it’s about continuing their Brewster journey on a different campus.

This winter, five students from the La Moraleja campus and two from Chamberí traded Madrid’s city streets for Wolfeboro’s snowy lakeside campus to take part in the American Experience. Now two weeks into their seven-week adventure, they are discovering what it means to be part of one school with multiple campuses, connected by shared values, cross-campus relationships, and a spirit of exploration.

The students’ reasons for joining the program vary, from wanting to gain more independence at a boarding school, to meeting new people, to exploring life away from home for the first time, or simply feeding a love for travel and cultural exchange. Yet all share one understanding: the most meaningful growth happens when you stretch your comfort zone.

“I really wanted to study abroad,” said Lolita ’28 when asked why she decided to embark on this journey. “I love coming to the United States and I’ve always been interested in the American experience.”

Upon arrival at Boston’s Logan International Airport, the students were greeted by James Reilly, Assistant Head of School for Campus Life, as well as a familiar face from home. Bret Barnet, Dean of Faculty at Brewster Madrid and former Assistant Head of School in Wolfeboro, accompanied the group for their first week to help with the transition.

Before they even set foot on campus, the students were already connected with peers and faculty in Wolfeboro. In preparation for their trip, Chris Brown, Brewster’s Dean of Equity and Inclusion, met with them virtually for a cultural discussion to help them get ready for their time in the United States. In the week leading up to their departure, they also exchanged emails with pen pals from Margarita Proulx’s Global Voices Spanish class. The correspondence gave Wolfeboro students an authentic chance to practice their Spanish while helping their Madrid peers feel welcomed and supported. On orientation day, the two groups finally met in person, creating a meaningful moment that brought their earlier exchanges to life.

At the heart of the American Experience are the core elements that connect every Brewster campus: a personalized education, vibrant community life, supportive and involved faculty, and peers from around the world who learn from one another each day.

This Madrid cohort has quickly embraced those same elements in Wolfeboro. They’ve been welcomed into three different dorms across campus, each with a Community Living Parent (CLP) who supports them in the evenings and helps create a positive, inclusive dorm culture. In the afternoons, the students participate fully in campus life through winter co-curriculars such as basketball, skiing and snowboarding, mass media, and fitness.

When asked what has surprised her the most so far about her experience, Ana ’28 had a simple answer: “The people.” Living in Bradley House, an upper school girls’ dorm, and residing on Team Palmer, a junior Academic Team, Ana has already felt welcomed by the other Brewster students. “Everyone here is so friendly.”

Academically, teachers in Madrid and Wolfeboro collaborate to ensure a seamless transition. Classes are carefully aligned to maintain continuity, and some Madrid teachers continue meeting online for courses like AP Spanish and Lengua to help students stay on track. While in Wolfeboro, each student also has a dedicated Advisor and Academic Team who guide their day-to-day learning and overall experience.

Beyond the classroom, the students are immersed in the full Wolfeboro experience. Their days are filled with opportunities to connect and participate in all aspects of campus life, from weekend activities and off-campus trips to school dances and the excitement of Winter Carnival (a shared tradition celebrated across Brewster’s campuses).

Barnet reflected on the program’s value, calling it “a great opportunity for our students in Madrid to experience American culture firsthand, as well as get a taste for life in New Hampshire and the many unique aspects of Wolfeboro’s location.” He added, “Not to mention the growth they will get from living at a boarding school and developing their independence while being supported by the faculty and structures that Brewster’s main campus offers.”

Now in its second year, the American Experience has become a highlight of the high school journey for students at Brewster Madrid, an American school in Madrid that thrives alongside its main campus in Wolfeboro. As collaborations deepen between Brewster’s multiple campuses, students and faculty alike are discovering that at Brewster, community feels familiar, no matter the location.