Life in Barcelona: Salsa, Sunshine, and Some Real Talk

Elizabeta chose Spain for her cultural exchange experience—and with its language, culture, and laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle, Barcelona seemed like the perfect place to land. She’s currently staying with a local family with two young children, aged 6 and 4, and has a couple more months to go in her program.

It’s been two months since I started the program, and honestly, we’re still adjusting to one another. The kids didn’t take to having someone new in the house right away—those first three weeks were the hardest. But over time, I gained their trust, and now things are much smoother. Kids need a lot of energy, so we’re all pretty focused on them.

For Elizabeta, the biggest draw was the opportunity to immerse herself in Spanish culture and language. And Barcelona? It did not disappoint.

Barcelona is stunning and full of things to do! From mountains and beaches to dance events and cultural happenings—there’s something going on every single day. People are friendly, welcoming, and everything just feels… chill!

When she’s not with the kids, you’ll most likely find her dancing.

There are so many salsa and Latin dance events in Barcelona! I’ve met amazing people in the dance community and gotten the chance to discover some really cool places through it all.

Still, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Elizabeta had hoped to have more quality time with the host parents, but busy work schedules have made it tricky.

The parents are often caught up in work, so we only connect on weekends. Most of our conversations revolve around the kids and what needs to be done around the house.

Her advice to future candidates?

Make sure you understand the family’s routines and expectations ahead of time, and be clear about your own needs too. Taking care of kids—especially young ones, is no small task. But if you’re up for it, and you set clear boundaries from the start, it can be a great experience.

All in all, I enjoy my weekends—especially when I get to hit the dance floor! Just remember, joining a cultural exchange means taking on real responsibility, especially when it comes to children.