Diana, a participant in the cultural exchange program in Spain, writes to us from the vibrant city of Seville, where she’s spending her summer embracing a new way of life.
Even though we all love our comfort zones and it’s hard to leave them, sometimes that’s exactly what we need to feel more fulfilled. I decided to apply for the cultural exchange program in Spain because I wanted to discover a new culture, meet new people, and explore a country I had never visited before.
Most of all, I craved a change and the chance to gain new experiences—both of which are key when starting an adventure like this. All it takes is a few free months, a willingness to embrace a new lifestyle, and an open mind to discover different customs and ways of living.
This particular adventure has brought me to one of the most beautiful parts of Spain—its southern region. Right now, I’m living in Seville, a breathtaking city that you can visit over and over again and still find something new every time. With countless narrow streets, charming plazas, and jaw-dropping architecture, Seville radiates Spanish culture more than any other place I’ve been to here.
My personal experience has unfolded like this: the first week, I was thrilled and spent days wandering around the city, soaking it all in. Then came the adaptation phase—realizing I’d be living here for three months, in a house full of strangers, with responsibilities I wasn’t entirely familiar with, especially since I hadn’t spent that much time with kids before. But the host family welcomed me with open arms and made an effort to help me settle in from the start.
A few weeks into my stay, it was my birthday, and we celebrated it at a beach house the family owns in a small coastal town. The day turned into a mini party, and I even got a gift—something I didn’t expect, which made the whole thing even more special.
One thing I’d highlight to anyone in the middle of an experience like this is to try to connect with other girls in the program as soon as possible. It helps you adjust and makes your free time more enjoyable when you can spend it with people your age doing things you love. At first, I enjoyed walking around and exploring alone, but that gets old pretty quickly. Luckily, I ended up meeting four amazing girls from different countries, and now we’re in touch all the time.
All in all, this month and a half in Spain has been a refreshing change in my life, and I have a feeling it’s only going to get more interesting as my stay continues
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