Nichts könnte mich davon abhalten, 2020 in Spanien zu verbringen

After attending a presentation on cultural exchange programs, Tatjana knew exactly where she wanted to go—Spain. Here’s more about her experience:

I found out about the program by chance while scrolling through social media. Something about it immediately caught my attention, so I decided to dig deeper. After attending the presentation and talking to the amazing team who answered every question and helped with the whole process, I felt ready and excited to take on this new adventure. I chose Spain because I’ve been in love with the country since I was a kid. The culture, history, music, language, and especially the people—everything about it made me want to experience it firsthand, and what better way to do that than by becoming part of the local community?

Even though the world was in the middle of a pandemic, nothing could stop me from joining the program and finally making it to my destination: Mallorca. From the very first moment I met my host family, it felt like we had known each other forever. They did everything to help me feel safe and relaxed. I work with their seven-year-old daughter, teaching her English in a natural, spontaneous way—sometimes through play, other times with more structured activities, which she’s always up for. The parents are super flexible and open, so we always manage to organize our time and tasks easily. They include me in everything—from family events to fun outings—and even helped me explore most of the island.

In August, we traveled to Galicia to visit their relatives, and I got to celebrate my birthday there with a surprise party they threw for me. It was such a thoughtful and touching gesture.

I’m living in a quiet little town called Vilafranca, a true Spanish village full of positive energy, great vibes, and incredibly kind locals who always greet you with a smile and are happy to chat or help out. I’ve met so many new people I’m sure I’ll stay in touch with, and I look forward to hosting some of them in the future.

As the program wraps up, I plan to spend the rest of my time exploring more of the island, taking a short trip to Ibiza, and soaking up every bit of the food, music, and amazing energy that Spain has to offer. Once all this is over, I’m continuing my journey with the Center and heading to a new destination—this was only the beginning!