Nastasja, a participant in the cultural exchange program with Spain, is writing us from sunny Spain. Below you can read her experience:
I don’t know what to say without sounding like an advertisement. The fact that I would do the same again probably speaks volumes about how much I liked this experience.
At the beginning I didn’t expect this much at all, I was lucky to meet many new wonderful people, be part of a Spanish family, travel almost the entire east coast of Spain, and with all that, I had a month and a half without rain and cold days, near the beach and on pools. Dresses, T-shirts and swimsuits – everything I needed. I can definitely say that this is the best opportunity to fully get to know a new culture, develop some new skills, improve your English and learn something Spanish.
Also, it is a completely unique and beautiful feeling when you feel at home with people you didn’t even know until recently. About the warmth and hospitality of the Spanish people, I can only say that everything that is said is true – they are open, always ready for a party and some joy, and they will help you at any time. You will speak Spanish with them because they do not speak English very well, and you will have to cope, which is just one of the interesting challenges I encountered during this cultural exchange. It is a completely different experience when you visit tourist destinations like Barcelona not only as a tourist, but as someone who lives in Spain, and from personal experience I say that locals are much more interesting and know more than classic tourist guides.
Whoever likes to travel, enjoy, work with children and meet new people, should definitely go to this exchange at least once!