At CIP, our Program for Global Engagement gives neurodiverse young adults enrolled in CIP’s Full-Year Program the opportunity to explore the world, experience new cultures, build independence, and make lifelong memories with friends and peers from across the country.

This year, we’re excited to partner with WorldStrides Travel for an unforgettable international adventure to Seville and Madrid, Spain. From historic landmarks and authentic Spanish cuisine to flamenco, architecture, and shared adventures, this trip offers students an opportunity to experience Spain in a meaningful, supportive, and fun way.

And while the destinations are exciting, the journey is about much more than sightseeing. Students will have opportunities to practice independence, strengthen social and executive functioning skills, navigate new environments, and build connections with fellow CIP students and staff.

Why Join CIP’s Global Engagement Program?

Explore a New Culture

Traveling internationally provides an opportunity to step outside the familiar and experience the world from a new perspective. In Spain, students will explore centuries of history, remarkable architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, traditional cuisine, and cultural traditions that bring learning to life.

Build Friendships and Community

One of the most meaningful parts of the Global Engagement Program is experiencing the journey together. Students from CIP centers across the country will come together to explore, share meals, try new activities, laugh, learn, and create memories that can last long after the trip ends.

Build Independence Through Travel

International travel naturally creates opportunities to practice important life skills. Students will navigate airports and train travel, follow schedules, manage transitions, communicate with others, adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, and experience new routines—all with the support of CIP staff.

Make Lifelong Memories

From the historic streets of Seville to the grand plazas of Madrid, students will experience some of Spain’s most iconic destinations while enjoying unique activities that make the trip more than a traditional sightseeing tour.

Discover Seville

Our adventure begins in Seville, the capital of Spain’s Andalusia region and a city renowned for its history, architecture, food, music, and vibrant culture.

Royal Alcázar of Seville

Students will explore the Royal Alcázar of Seville with an audio-guided visit.

Originally developed as a fort in 913, the Royal Alcázar has evolved over more than eleven centuries. Its architecture reflects the many cultures and eras that have shaped Seville, creating a remarkable blend of Christian and Mudéjar design.

One of its highlights is the Palacio de Don Pedro, commissioned by King Pedro in the 14th century and still considered one of the palace complex’s architectural masterpieces.

Beyond the buildings themselves, the Alcázar’s gardens and courtyards offer students an opportunity to experience the beauty and history of one of Spain’s most extraordinary landmarks.

Guided Tour of Seville

Students will embark on a panoramic guided tour of Seville, taking in some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

The tour will include sights such as the University of Seville, housed in the former Royal Tobacco Factory, the Palacio de San Telmo, Torre del Oro, and Puente de Isabel II.

Students will also visit Plaza de España, one of Seville’s most recognizable public spaces and a centerpiece of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

The experience continues through the whitewashed streets of the Santa Cruz quarter, with a stop at Plaza de América, providing students with opportunities to see and experience the character of Seville beyond its major landmarks.

Paella Cooking Class

Food is an important part of experiencing a new culture, and students will get to do more than simply enjoy Spanish cuisine—they’ll get to participate in creating it.

During an afternoon paella cooking class, students will learn about one of Spain’s most recognizable dishes while working together in a fun, hands-on experience.

It’s a chance to learn, collaborate, try something new, and—of course—enjoy the finished product.

Flamenco Show & Dinner

In the evening, students will experience one of Spain’s most iconic cultural traditions with a live flamenco performance and dinner.

Professional dancers, musicians, and singers will bring the energy and passion of flamenco to life through expressive movement, traditional costumes, guitar, and song.

It’s an unforgettable opportunity to experience Spanish culture through music, food, and performance.

From Seville to Madrid

After exploring Seville, students will board the train and travel to Madrid, Spain’s vibrant capital city.

The train journey itself offers another opportunity to experience travel in Spain while practicing navigation, transitions, and the skills that come with moving between destinations.

Discover Madrid

Students will begin their Madrid experience with a walking tour of Habsburg Madrid, known locally as Madrid de los Austrias.

The tour will take students through some of the city’s most historic areas, including:

• Puerta del Sol
• Royal Palace
• Plaza de Oriente
• Plaza de la Villa
• Plaza Mayor
• Historic streets and neighborhoods of central Madrid

Walking through these areas provides a fascinating look at Madrid’s history while allowing students to experience the city at street level—seeing how its historic landmarks, plazas, shops, restaurants, and neighborhoods come together.

Temple of Debod

Students will also visit the Temple of Debod, an authentic ancient Egyptian temple located in Madrid’s Parque de la Montaña near Plaza de España.

The temple dates back to the 2nd century BC and was gifted to Spain in 1968 in recognition of Spain’s assistance in preserving the temples of Abu Simbel.

The Temple of Debod is particularly beautiful around sunset, offering a memorable setting to reflect on the day’s experiences and take in panoramic views of Madrid.

Farewell Dinner

The journey will conclude with a farewell dinner, giving students and staff an opportunity to celebrate the experiences, friendships, and memories created throughout the trip.

Preparing for Spain: The CIP Global Engagement Educational Series

The experience begins long before students board the plane.

To help students feel prepared, confident, and connected, CIP will provide additional training modules leading up to the trip.

This isn’t just a CIP Global Engagement Trip Educational Series—it’s also an opportunity for students to meet and engage with their fellow travelers and trip staff before the trip begins.

The series will include:

September: Introduction to CIP International Travel

Students will learn what to expect from international travel, including airports, flights, travel schedules, accommodations, group travel, and what it means to travel internationally with CIP.

October: Culture & Customs of Spain

Students will explore Spanish culture, traditions, food, social expectations, and everyday customs. This module will help students understand and appreciate the differences they may encounter while traveling.

November: Social Skills Abroad

Traveling with a group creates countless opportunities to practice communication, flexibility, teamwork, problem-solving, and relationship-building. This session will help students prepare for the social aspects of traveling together.

December: Safety & Preparedness

Students will review important travel safety practices, preparing for unexpected situations, navigating new environments, staying connected with the group, and other strategies designed to help them travel with greater confidence.

These sessions are designed not only to prepare students for the logistics of international travel, but also to help them feel comfortable with the people they will be traveling alongside.

Traveling with WorldStrides

For this year’s Global Engagement Trip, CIP is partnering with WorldStrides Travel, a leader in educational travel with more than 55 years of experience helping students turn the world into a classroom.

WorldStrides began with a middle school teacher who wanted to give his students the opportunity to experience the living history of Washington, D.C. Since then, the organization has grown into a global educational travel provider serving millions of students through immersive learning experiences.

For CIP students, this partnership brings together WorldStrides’ experience in educational travel with CIP’s expertise supporting neurodiverse young adults.

WorldStrides also maintains comprehensive health and safety resources designed to support students and staff throughout the journey. Their WorldAssist emergency response command center operates 24/7, while traveling participants have access to medical and behavioral health support through dedicated partners. WorldStrides also provides extensive emergency protocols and training for its on-site teams.

That means CIP staff can focus on what matters most: supporting students as they explore, learn, connect, and enjoy the experience.

More Than Just Travel: Building Skills Along the Way

A trip to Spain is exciting, but the real value of the Global Engagement Program goes beyond the destinations.

Independence

Students have opportunities to practice navigating travel logistics, following schedules, managing belongings, adapting to new environments, and making decisions with appropriate support.

Social Skills

Shared travel experiences encourage students to communicate, collaborate, problem-solve, and build relationships in authentic environments.

Executive Functioning

Travel requires flexibility, planning, time management, organization, and the ability to transition between activities and environments.

Cultural Awareness

Experiencing another country firsthand allows students to broaden their perspective, appreciate different traditions, and develop a greater understanding of the world around them.

Confidence

Perhaps most importantly, successfully navigating new experiences can help students recognize their own capabilities and return home with greater confidence in their ability to take on future challenges.

Your Journey Starts Before You Leave

From the Royal Alcázar and the streets of Santa Cruz to a paella cooking class, an unforgettable flamenco performance, the historic heart of Madrid, and a sunset at the Temple of Debod, this year’s Global Engagement Trip promises an incredible combination of adventure, culture, friendship, and personal growth.

But the memories won’t begin when students arrive in Spain.

They’ll begin when students meet their fellow travelers, participate in the educational series, prepare for the adventure, and start imagining what they’ll experience together.

This is more than a trip. It’s an opportunity to explore the world, build independence, strengthen friendships, and discover what you’re capable of.

Registration

Enrolled CIP Full-Year students can secure their place on this year’s Global Engagement Trip by connecting with their CIP advisor.

Spain is waiting. Let’s explore it together!