A Sense of Belonging From the Very Start – Cultural Exchange in Spain

Milica, one of our cultural exchange participants, writes to us from the stunning northwest city of Santiago de Compostela, where she’ll be spending the next three months. Read on to hear her first impressions:

When I first heard about the program, it honestly sounded too good to be true. But once I completed the process and arrived in Spain, I realized it was exactly what I signed up for—and more. Everything was as promised, and having the ongoing support of the Center’s team while being abroad means a lot whenever questions or issues come up.

From the very first moment I met my host family, they treated me like one of their own. There hasn’t been a single moment when I felt out of place. The connection I’ve built with the parents, kids, and extended family has made me feel completely welcomed and accepted. They always invite me to join them on family outings, and we’ve already explored a few nearby towns and villages together, which has been such a lovely experience. 🥰

The kids needed a little time to warm up to me, which is completely normal, but once they did, things clicked. We spend time playing, making snacks and sweets, and teaching each other new things. While I help them improve their English, they’ve taught me how to make slime—yes, actual slime! 😂

In my free time, I like to wander around the city, visiting landmarks like the cathedral, the cultural center, local parks, and even the public library. On weekends, I take day trips to nearby places—so far I’ve seen La Coruña and a charming town called Xancera, and I’m hoping to explore more of Galicia before my time here ends. 😊😊

I’ve also been dedicating part of my downtime to studying Spanish so I can connect even more with my surroundings and my host family. Being immersed in the language here makes learning it so much more fun and natural.

As for Santiago de Compostela itself, it’s breathtaking. The architecture is stunning, and the entire city is surrounded by greenery. There are scenic walking paths along the river, forest trails, and so many parks where kids can run and play freely. One of my favorite things is that I hardly ever need to use public transport—the city is perfectly walkable, which suits me well since I’m used to walking a lot back home. Honestly, if I had been given the chance to choose the perfect city, family, and environment for this experience, I couldn’t have picked a better match!

When asked about her experience working with the Center, Milica had nothing but praise:

Their reliability and efficiency when it comes to every step of the process, as well as the incredible opportunity they offer to live abroad for an extended period, are something that means so much, especially to young people trying to find their path. Whatever question I had, they’d help right away, which reassured me, especially as someone doing a program like this for the first time. 🙂

To future participants, she says:

Don’t be afraid—just go for it. Take that step and change the rhythm of your life with an experience like this. I truly believe this program is made to help us grow, become more independent, and step outside our comfort zones. And that, in itself, is a huge part of personal development.