Why did you choose this program?
I needed to improve my Spanish for professional reasons, but I didn’t want a typical classroom course. The SHIP programme stood out because it offered immersion in the teacher’s home, which meant learning in real-life situations. The fact that Pilar specialises in teaching adults and professionals made it the ideal match for my goals.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
Spanish Express took care of every detail once I enrolled in the programme, which made the entire process stress free and smooth. Pilar provided comfortable accommodation, delicious home cooked meals, and a clearly structured learning plan tailored to my needs. I only needed to arrange my flights to Valencia, while everything else was professionally organised, allowing me to focus fully on learning and enjoying the experience.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
My advice would be to arrive with clear learning goals and be willing to speak Spanish from the very beginning, even if you feel unsure or make mistakes. Pilar creates a relaxed and supportive learning environment that quickly helps you overcome any fear or hesitation. The more actively you speak and engage in daily conversations, the faster your confidence grows and the quicker your Spanish improves.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
My day started with breakfast and relaxed Spanish conversation, followed by formal lessons tailored to Business Spanish, emails, presentations, small talk. In the afternoon, we’d explore the area or have practical language tasks like shopping or ordering food. Everything we did reinforced what I was learning. Evenings were casual but still in Spanish, often over a home-cooked meal.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
Before starting the programme, I was worried about not keeping up or forgetting vocabulary when speaking under pressure. However, Pilar’s teaching style is very calm, patient, and supportive, which helped ease those fears. She gives you time to think and express yourself, then builds your confidence through repetition and natural conversation. By the middle of the week, I noticed a clear improvement in my fluency and felt much more confident using Spanish.
What do you love most about learning Spanish through immersion?
The constant exposure. You hear it, speak it, and live it. It’s not just about grammar, it’s about learning how to use Spanish in the real world. I left with not only better Spanish but also a deeper understanding of the Spanish culture and how people actually communicate.