Andrea, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, spent just over a month in Pontevedra, in the northwest of the country, not far from Vigo. Here’s what she shared about her experience:
My first impression was that I had arrived in a truly beautiful place—one that gave me the chance to deeply connect with a culture very different from the one I grew up in. When it comes to the family, what stood out to me early on were the small differences in everyday routines and traditions. We often had conversations about our respective cultures, constantly surprised by how some things were so similar, while others couldn’t be more different.
The town where I stayed, Pontevedra, is a small one. I was based in a more rural area, which gave me peace and a nice break from the noise and hustle of Belgrade.
During my first few days, I spent my free time walking through the town. It took about an hour on foot to get to the city center, but I loved those walks—they felt like little solo adventures in the place I got to call home for a while. The host family gave me great tips about parks and cathedrals I had to visit—and they were right every time. I kept being amazed over and over. Even though Pontevedra is a small town, it’s full of life—its streets are always filled with people, music, and the charm of Spanish architecture.
A few days after arriving, I met a girl from Bosnia who was also part of the program. We started traveling together to nearby towns and even made a short trip to Porto in Portugal. Out of all the places I visited in Spain, A Coruña impressed me the most. We spent a few hours walking along the rocky Atlantic coastline—the beach there is dedicated to surfers, as swimming can be dangerous in that part of the ocean. We also saw the famous tower overlooking the city on one side and the endless ocean on the other. It was truly unforgettable.
We also visited Vigo—the biggest and most urban city in Galicia. While I appreciated it, I preferred A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela because of their rich history and old-world architecture. Still, Vigo had a stunning harbor and waterfront promenade. I didn’t get the chance to visit the nearby protected islands, known for their untouched nature, but I hope to one day.
And Porto? It completely won me over. The city never sleeps—alive day and night. It has beautiful bridges, little boats gliding across the river, and those narrow, winding streets where you can sip coffee and listen to street musicians. Pure magic.
On days I didn’t travel, I would relax on the beach in Pontevedra or read by the pool. What I enjoyed most was getting to know Spanish culture in such a personal, hands-on way. It’s a completely different experience from reading about a country online or in books. In just one month, I learned so many things I probably never would have otherwise—because I lived them.
Ihre Botschaft an zukünftige Teilnehmer:
I would recommend future participants prepare specific, direct questions for their potential host families. Both sides need to be aligned on expectations to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay for everyone. I also suggest doing a bit of research on the area you’ll be living in, so you can plan what you want to see and get a sense of what to expect before you go.
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