Milica fulfilled her dream of living in Spain through a nearly two-month cultural exchange program—and the experience turned out to be everything she hoped for and more. Here’s what she shared with us about her time abroad.
It all started with Los Serrano, that popular Spanish TV show. Because of them, I fell in love with Spain and even enrolled in a Spanish language school. 🙂 Before this exchange, I had visited Spain twice, but only in Catalonia—specifically Barcelona—and I always wanted to explore other regions and, of course, spend at least a couple of months truly living in Spain. I also wanted to brush up on my Spanish, which I rarely use back home in Serbia since I finished language school years ago. So, this program felt like the perfect way to tick off several small dreams all at once.
My summer in Spain lasted about two months, and I was based in Bilbao. Apart from knowing the football club Athletic Bilbao, I honestly didn’t know much about the city, but thanks to the wonderful host family I stayed with, I got to know not only Bilbao but also many surrounding towns and villages.
I was in charge of looking after three boys. And when I first found out, my reaction was: Oh boy, this is going to be a wild summer. And it was wild—but in the best possible way. So many trips, amazing people, delicious food… it was a summer to remember! Sure, the boys could be a handful, full of energy and curiosity, but they were also sweet and affectionate, and I grew to love them like family—and they felt the same about me. We spent most days at the pool or playing games at home—board games, video games, the works.
The parents were also fantastic—always ready with great travel tips and helpful advice, whether it was about visiting Madrid, Barcelona, or other gems in the Basque Country. Anytime I had a question or a doubt, I knew I could count on them.
My biggest tip for anyone heading to Spain is: be yourself. Be open, kind, and respectful with your host family and with everyone you meet. Spaniards are, in many ways, just like us: incredibly warm and welcoming. Trust me, you’ll feel right at home.
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