A Call to Curiosity – Cultural Exchange in Spain

Jovana, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, writes to us from the small village of Santa Oliva, just outside of Tarragona. Here’s what she shared as her experience comes to a close:

These are my final thoughts: Taking part in this program meant a lot to me, and in the end, everything turned out far better than I expected. I had some initial worries—whether I’d feel overworked, whether the investment would pay off, or if the modest pocket money would be enough—but everything aligned in a surprisingly good way.

The family didn’t make full use of the allowed work hours, which meant I had plenty of free time. On the days I was responsible for the kids, I didn’t spend much in Santa Oliva, so I saved up a little—and then happily spent it during my days off in Barcelona. 😄

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience with the family. The parents treated me kindly, and I found a good rhythm with the kids. Of course, there were both successful days and more challenging ones, but that’s all part of it.

The town itself is sweet, though a bit remote and not well connected by public transport. I biked to the beach—which was a bit of a workout—and one of my parents would always drive me to the train station for trips to Barcelona. Once you get on that train, though, it’s pure joy: incredibly cheap and an hour-long ride with beautiful sea views most of the way.

I’d go to the beach in the evenings after finishing my time with the kids, or I’d stay in my room to read, write, and work on an artistic idea I had. On my full days off, I was almost always in Barcelona.

I loved the version of myself that emerged through this experience—the one who travels alone dives into the unknown, and welcomes adventure. I found a kind of flow that felt deeply fulfilling. Barcelona started to feel like my second home.

Su mensaje a los futuros participantes:

To anyone considering this program: be brave enough to go for it, and trust your instincts when choosing your host family. Be open to expressing your wishes and setting healthy boundaries. Jumping straight into living with someone can be both challenging and beautiful—but it’s definitely worth it.