The Beauty Beyond the Waves – Cultural Exchange in Spain

Sanja, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, writes to us from Vilagarcía de Arousa, a charming seaside town in the Galician region. She’s been living there for a month now, and here’s what she had to say about her experience:

My first impressions were beyond amazing. The family welcomed me right away as one of their own, and I never once felt like an outsider. They’ve been incredibly supportive and helpful with anything I’ve needed. The kids are lovely, and the time I spend with them just flies by. Day by day, my Spanish is getting better, and my communication keeps improving.

The town she’s staying in is nestled on the coast, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking beaches she’s ever seen. Before coming here, I had never even heard of Galicia, but I’m so glad I ended up in this region. It may not be Spain’s most touristy destination, but it offers so much—lush nature, stunning beaches, and some of the kindest people. It’s also known for its unique cuisine, and I’ve had the chance to try a variety of local specialties.

Sanja was lucky enough to meet another girl in the program who was staying nearby. Together, they traveled to Vigo, A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, and Pontevedra. “Since Galicia borders Portugal, we also took the opportunity to spend a weekend in Porto, exploring this beautiful, history-filled city.

When she’s not traveling, Sanja spends her free time at the beach with her host family and their friends, going on walks around town, and working on her Spanish. “I try to use every moment to keep improving my language skills—that, along with traveling, was my biggest motivation for joining the program.

What she loves most? “Being able to explore a new culture, travel to new places, change my environment, and learn a language—all at once. This program is perfect for anyone curious loves kids, and has a passion for travel and languages.

Ihre Botschaft an zukünftige Teilnehmer:

If you’re into travel, learning new languages, and working with children—don’t wait, just go for it! I would recommend doing your research and following your gut when choosing your host family. Also, keep in mind that if you want to explore cities that are a bit farther away, you’ll likely only be able to do that on weekends—and a month will fly by before you know it. Good luck! 😊