Why did you choose this program?
I wanted to get the opportunity to learn Spanish outside a classroom setting and experience an entirely new culture. The program was offered during the summer which allowed me to take extra classes while still having a grand summer adventure.
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The program provider helped me with any questions I might have, they were always available if I had an issue during the process. However, I did all my packing research and travel plans all on my own.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
My biggest piece of advice is something that isn't said often. Yes, school is important, but for once focus on experiences rather than homework. Try to get the best grades possible while concentrating your energy on getting the best overall experience.
This means taking every spare minute to travel, converse with locals, hang out with your host family.
For once, socializing is beneficial because you are able to learn a language through immersion instead of being taught a language from a classroom setting.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
For me, it was very hectic (in the best way possible). Weekdays (Mon-Thurs), I would wake up and have breakfast with my host family, do my homework for the day, and leave around 11:30 for class.
My first class started at noon but it was about a 25 minute walk from my home to the school. This was much longer than the other students' treks, but was worth it because I was able to see more scenery and faces along the way.
After my first class I would head back home for lunch around 2:30ish and then head out again to my second class. In between the second and final class for the day I would sit at a cafe in the town center to do my homework and get a drink and tapas. Then I would head to my late class which ended around 9pm.
At the end of a long day, I would sit at the dinner table and talk with my host family while my host mom prepared dinner. We would eat around 10pm. On Fridays, we had class excursions to local places of interest. My host mom always made sure to pack me a humongous lunch.
The weekends were reserved for travel (although the first week was festival week in Segovia so I enjoyed the nightly concerts and happily crowded streets). I had the pleasure of visiting Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Toledo. On top of it all, I would fit in meetings with my conversation partner, pool visits with a friend of my host mom, and occasional hikes/bike rides.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear had to do with people. First, I was positive I was going to be really behind the other kids in the program as far as the Spanish language was concerned. Second, living with strangers that don't even speak english worried me. Finally, I saw making friends with other students in the program and people in Spain as a challenge.
I quickly realized that although my Spanish was not up to par, I certainly became the "most improved" by the end of the program. The goal is to not be the best, but simply personally progress.
I was astonished at the end of the program how much my Spanish had improved. A Spanish movie I attempted to watch but couldn't comprehend at the beginning of the program now is one of my favorite movies (I now understand most all of what is being said).
Turns out living with strangers isn't the stress I made it out to be. My host family became like my real family, and we all cried when I had to depart back to the States. To this day, we still Skype once a week.
Finally with making friends, most everyone I encountered was super included and in the same boat as me. You get in what you put out, if you reach out a friendly hand, people will gravitate towards you. All my pre-travel worries were nothing to fret about in the least.
Samantha's Packing Tips:
- Clothes to hike in
- Nice dressy clothes - for hot weather (I preferred dressing up to class to blend in with the locals)
- Sweater/jacket that can be used with many outfits - it gets chilly at night
- Personal hygiene products
- Bag lock for when you stay in hostels/AirBnB
- Debit card (and possible credit card) - draw cash out from ATM and keep only the amount you will use on your person
- School supplies - so you don't have to worry about buying them in Spain
- Passport
- Some type of journal/blog to record experiences
- Swimsuit - for the beach and pools
- Any medicine you regularly take or might need
- Body spray - you will get sweaty and gross
- Plug adapter for electronics - different outlets
- Power bank - for recharging your phone during travel
- Nice camera to document your grand experience
- Purse with a zipper - to prevent pick pockets
- Vitamins - little sleep means more opportunities for sickness
- iTranslate app - very cheap and can be used offline
- Present for your host family upon arrival
I would bring more clothes if they will fit, laundry took a while to finish at my house and you will sweat A LOT.