Our cultural exchange participant in Spain, Mia, writes to us from Can Picafort, a small coastal town on the northern side of Mallorca. Here’s what she shared about her journey:
Dear future participants, my name is Mia, and I just turned 21 while living in Mallorca. When I applied for the program, my heart was set on living in Barcelona this September. But life had other plans—and sent me to the north of this magical island, to a place called Can Picafort. I received wonderful offers from families all over Spain, but the very first one I interviewed with just felt right. I knew immediately they were the ones I’d spend the next few months with—even though I had just five days to buy my ticket and go.
I was welcomed by a lovely girl from Serbia who had been part of the program and was wrapping up her stay with the same family. We spent seven transition days together, which was more than enough to get a feel for the kids’ routine and the rhythm of life here.
It’s important to note that I live only with the father. While that may sound unusual, I never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe—in fact, I would recommend that future participants not shy away from such family setups. Because the parents are separated, I have more free days and planned trips, which has been a bonus. Recently, the kids’ mother even came to visit for six days—and the host dad insisted she stay with us.
The children? Probably the sweetest I’ve ever met—but also very demanding. The boy is five, the girl is three. I highly recommend discussing the kids in depth during your interviews, because they’re the heart of your experience and a major responsibility. I’ve had full support and understanding from the host parent, which makes a huge difference.
Mallorca is a dream. Nature, beaches, the sea, history, architecture, lifestyle, people, parties—no matter where you go on this island, you’ll be blown away. It’s quite different from the rest of Spain (which makes sense since it’s an island), and even the language is different—like comparing Serbian to Macedonian. But don’t worry, it won’t make learning Spanish any harder. People here are warm and flexible, always ready to meet you halfway, and within a month, I was already communicating comfortably.
Can Picafort is purely a tourist town, with mostly German, Italian, and British visitors. It’s more of a family destination than a youth one, but the locals are full of life and always up for a good time.
Su mensaje a los futuros participantes:
Take your time choosing your host family! You’ll be living with them for months, and your relationship with them is key. If that bond is good, even the problems become easier. And if it’s not, even the best experiences lose their shine. Be clear about how you’d like to spend your time and what matters to you. That’s exactly what interviews are for. There will always be new offers—don’t rush.
If your goal is to learn Spanish, let go of the fear of making mistakes. Speak with everyone. Very few people here speak English, and that forced immersion is exactly what helps you learn.
And if you don’t have patience for children—think twice before you apply!
Travel, explore, and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. This is an unforgettable experience. The agency was there for me through everything, from start to finish—and that deserves a big shoutout.
¡Suerte! (Good luck!)
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