Dancing Through Madrid with a Joyful Spanish Spirit

Our cultural exchange participant, Tijana, has been living in Madrid for a month and a half and shares her vibrant experience of Spanish life below.

From the very beginning, the host family made a real effort to make me feel like part of their own. This program, I believe, is the best—and probably the only—way to truly understand a new culture, because you become part of a community. You learn about their customs, routines, and habits, and eventually, they become part of your daily life too.

Madrid is a huge city with something for everyone—whether you’re into art, history, nightlife, fitness, or shopping (which I can confirm, never gets old 😁). No matter how many times you visit, there’s always something new to discover.

I spend every free moment exploring the city and nearby towns. One of the highlights for me has been joining a dance class and spending time with the lively and fun-loving locals. 😊

I love how naturally I’m picking up Spanish—even though I had never studied it before, I’m learning it just by living here and using it daily. The family is super supportive and helps me with Spanish, just like I help them practice their English.

To future participants, I’d say:

Be ready to switch up your environment and adapt to a new family dynamic. Flexibility is key. Going on this exchange has been a big and truly unique experience—one I’ll never forget!