Love Exploring New Cultures? Then You Can’t Go Wrong!

Here are Dunja’s impressions from the “Experience Spain” program—we hope you’ll fall in love with this country just like she did.

Just a week before settling in with a host family in Andalusia, in a small town between Córdoba and Seville called Palma del Río, I arrived in Catalonia for a long-awaited vacation. Honestly, my first impression wasn’t the best—cold weather, a wrong food choice, and a less-than-ideal day for sightseeing in Barcelona, which ended with me staring at the Sagrada Familia from a sushi bar across the street. I told myself, okay, this is probably the worst part, and prepared for anything that might follow.

But the moment I stepped off the train in Córdoba and was greeted by 35°C sunshine, I couldn’t stop smiling. Arriving in Palma del Río and meeting my host family felt like everything finally falling into place! The family had three children—aged 6, 7, and 9—and over time, I also met many of their extended relatives.

I had my room, bathroom, and even a private entrance. My host mom introduced me to other girls staying with local families and to some of her friends who helped me practice Spanish daily. They asked me to speak to the kids only in English, which wasn’t easy at first because the children only understood colors and numbers. We came up with the idea that I’d say things in English and then immediately translate them into Spanish—something I’d recommend if your host kids have zero English skills. You’ll need them to understand important things like holding your hand while crossing the street!

Everything seemed great… until day four, when the oldest daughter decided she didn’t like having me there and refused to go anywhere with me. That’s when I reached out to the agency, which turned out to be my biggest support. They talked with me and the family, and we all agreed I would stay another week to see how things go. Naturally, as is often the case with kids, she eventually got used to me, and we all started to feel like a real family. Of course, there were still daily adventures and the occasional bit of mischief!

My responsibilities weren’t overwhelming at all. I’d pick the kids up from school, then the parents would drive us home. From 4 to 9 p.m., I was with them—we’d play, go to the park, do homework, or head to their extracurricular activities. Afterward, I’d bathe them and we’d all have dinner together. When it came to housework, I only needed to keep my room tidy and clean it thoroughly once a week, plus help with dishes and dinner prep for the kids. That was my weekday schedule and two Saturdays a month. But my free days? Honestly, I don’t even have the words to describe them.

It was magical. I grew close with the other participants, and we started planning weekend trips right away—Seville, Cádiz, Portugal (Albufeira), Córdoba, Málaga, Madrid, Morocco (Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen)… These are the kinds of experiences that change you. I think, for the better.

When you find yourself far from home, with people you’ve known for only a few weeks who already feel like family, because they get you, and they’re far from home too, it creates something special. We shared so many unforgettable moments. I received €70 a week, which was more than enough for everyday expenses, some treats, and nights out. If you want to travel, though, you’ll need to cover those costs yourself. The most expensive part of travel in Spain is the train—buses are cheaper, but you’ll need to be okay with bumpy 6-hour rides instead of quick 1h45 train trips like from Córdoba to Madrid. I usually took the bus so I could explore more places.

The friendships I made are here to stay. I’ll never forget the people I met and the three months I spent there—they honestly felt like a dream. I’ll be visiting my host family again in just a few days because we all miss each other. Some of the friends I made on the program are even coming to visit me in Serbia this summer!

If you’re outgoing, curious about new cultures, loves good food and drinks, is drawn to the Spanish language, this program is perfect for you. You definitely won’t regret it!