The Experiment: Spain: Cultural Discovery

During my Spain 3 week travel, I really felt that it irrevocably changed me for the future. For example, the amount of independence and confidence I gained is something that it didn't necessarily expect. From flying domestically by myself and navigating the streets of busy Spain, I was forced to be able to navigate independently and find my place in a foreign country. My host family was additionally very kind, and truly made me feel welcome in their home. The new Spanish friends that I made I still keep in contact with today, as they made an honest effort to make me feel included. Overall, I would definitely recommend this program to students who want a very new experience and to understand a culture different from their own.

Being in a new country with people you've never met is a duanting idea at first. I was nervous and kinda regreting my decision of even getting on the plane, but as soon as I got there I was greeted by my group leaders, and I started getting excited. From there everything went by quickly, meeting the full group, then security, then landing, motel, exploring spain, etc. Everything was quick and you had something to do everyday! Whether it was going to museums, cathedrals or new cities, you had something to do everyday. Homestays were one of the times thing went slower. Living with a new family was pretty nerve-wracking, especially since at the time I was sick. My biggest fears were getting the rest of the family sick or being disrespectful in any way. Thankfully, my family was so kind and understanding! They'd take us on small trips around Valencia, showing us landmarks, museums, beaches, and let us walk around the city. Truly one of my most memorable moments was anytime the whole family was together. Being able to see and be a part of a family, and experiencing their day to day was truly memorable. Although I know Spanish, I noticed that my family did try to make a slight effort to teach it to those that didn't. Advice I have for homestays is to definitely try to communicate. It might be hard at first but being able to talk to your homestay family is super important and can add to the experience!

This summer I went with the experiment to Spain. I had a lot of fun with my experiment group, and made what I believe to be long lasting friendships. I was very immersed in the Spanish culture, and was able to learn the Spanish language as well. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is worried about leaving the country without any guidance. It’s also great for people who do not have the means/experience to travel on their own or with family. It is a fantastic first step for seeing the world.

I had the most incredible time on this trip, it's hard to put into words. I loved my group, my leaders, my homestay, and last but certainly not least, I loved the country and their incredible cultures. We did so many fun activities such as learning to cook Paella or biking through a park in Valencia to the City of Arts and Sciences. Every minute of this trip was amazing and if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would.

Overall this was such an amazing experience I'll always cherish with me. I've gotten to make new friendships with people I never knew before the trip. The homestay experience was integral to the cultural immersion, and it was an experience I'll never forget. At times there were random itinerary changes, which was sometimes frustrating. Regardless, this was truly a trip I'd do over again if i had the chance to.

When I went overseas I had my doubts about Spain, and the challenges it would present. However, I soon learned my group members and my homestay family would support me throughout the trip. By far, the best part of the trip was the homestay experience. I felt like a small part of the bigger Spanish community. When I returned home my dad said they was a big improvement with my Spanish. This program was great and I hope that I can return to Spain soon!

Whether we asked strangers for directions in the streets of Madrid, ate a late dinner of almejas with our host families, or walked 20 kilometers a day while enjoying the beautiful vistas of the Camino de Santiago, this trip is truly an immersive experience for those wishing to work on their Spanish and Gallego, and to learn more about the beautiful Spanish culture.