Puestas de sol en España

Lola checks in from the coastal town of Salou to share her experience. Here’s what she had to say:

Big hello to everyone reading 👋🏻

First things first—I have to say that getting to Spain was up in the air right until the last moment. Because of the whole virus situation, I didn’t know if I’d actually be going or not. So when I finally found out I was boarding that flight, I was flooded with emotion—waves of joy, excitement, and even a bit of fear all rolled into one.

The family I’m staying with is absolutely lovely. From the very first time we spoke, it felt like a great match. Still, I was nervous—what if things didn’t click with the kids? What if the parents weren’t as chill as they seemed? But from the moment they picked me up at the airport, everything just flowed naturally. Now, a month in, I can confidently say I got really lucky with this family.

We live in Salou, a gorgeous seaside town near Tarragona. There’s a beautiful pedestrian path that runs along the coast, and I walk it regularly, soaking in the views. Behind the house, there’s a quiet little trail leading to the highway, surrounded by olive groves and charming houses, with distant mountains rising on the horizon. It’s my favorite place to go running in the evenings—watching the sun dip behind the olive fields is nothing short of magical.

During the weekdays, I spend my time with the kids, helping them with English. When their mom gets home from work, we usually chat about how our days went while lounging on the sofa. The family has tons of relatives, so I get to meet a lot of people, and it’s great for picking up the language, especially listening to how different generations speak.

Even though we got along from the start, it still took me a couple of weeks to fully settle into this new environment. Every day brings something unexpected, so I never really know how I’ll feel by the end of it. Of course, I miss my own family and friends, I miss Belgrade and my life there, but Spain is starting to grow on me. This lifestyle is slowly getting under my skin in the best way.

This whole experience is priceless. Pushing your limits and doing things that feel completely out of your element—that’s how you grow. You never know where it’ll take you or what you’ll discover. Being brave enough to see yourself through new people and places can only lead to good things.

I hope I managed to give you a glimpse of both the personal and broader impact of coming to a new country, meeting a new family, and improving your language skills. Take care and stay well 🍀