Transgenic, or genetically modified, crops are a marginal issue for most people in the United States. This is not the case in Europe, where the issue of transgénicos is very much in the forefront of the public's mind.

Comercio Justo, or “Fair Trade” products are often seen in “socially conscious” retailers like health and “whole” food shops. It presents a novel approach to doing business that takes into account social and environmental factors in its pricing to consumers and directly compensates commodity food producers, like coffee and cocoa farmers. Here proponents explain the philosophy from several different vantage points.

Can an educated public really create a kinder, gentler, consumer society? Do informed buyers make decisions more sensitive to their world? Can you have your cake and eat it too? Some activists think that voracioius consumers need not be subdued, but only that their desires be tweaked, redirected…

Do those who control the wealth in a society also dictate its desires? In this segment we’re able to listen in on the discourse of Spanish intellectuals critical of the modern consumer culture, which they see as something of a Svengali-like oppressor and manipulator of the masses.

Can a consumer-driven market be replaced by an informed system of mutual cooperation by a like-minded populace? Is the market always at odds with the well being of the planet? Is it true that otro mundo es possible? Let’s find out what some experts think…

Many Latin American countries celebrate the Novena of Aguinaldos, a nine-day, Catholic-based holiday that includes music, food and prayer. Grace Pinzon, a Colombian woman living in Florida, shares with us how the novena is celebrated there.

Guided by Fermin, we immerse ourselves in San Sebastian's biggest and most lively celebration: the Tamborrada [Drum Parade], learning about its origins and how this twenty-four-hour party is celebrated.

Can money buy happiness? That’s the subject of this friendly debate between Ester and her friend…Ester. It seems that too much reasoning has split our El Aula Azul friend in two. Can money at least cure our friend Ester?

Learn how moods are expressed in Spanish with Ester and Silvia, instructors at San Sebastian's El Aula Azul.

Actors, actresses, singers, athletes ... Let's guess which famous people Ester from El Aula Azul [The Blue Classroom] is describing!

Let's play more guessing games at El Aula Azul! Can you guess which famous person we're talking about?

Ester, a teacher at El Aula Azul [The Blue Classroom] language school, introduces us to a friend who is very interested in learning more about the school as well as the city of San Sebastian.

Let's discover the neighborhood of Gros in San Sebastián with Ester from El Aula Azul. Best known for hosting the San Sebastian Film Festival, this ulra-trendy neighborhood located alongside La Zurriola, the city's famous surfing beach, also boasts a conference center as well as a multitude of bars and dining spots.

Fermin tells us about the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in Spain, including the varying social reactions and official alarm and confinement orders.

In the second part of this video about Spain's experience with the coronavirus, Fermin shares with us some of people's reactions to confinement, both negative and positive.