Conoscere se stessi in un ambiente completamente nuovo - Scambio culturale in Spagna

Lana, one of our cultural exchange participants, is currently writing to us from Madrid. Here’s what she shared about her experience so far:

The first month felt like a honeymoon phase—everything was new and exciting. Even something as simple as walking through a grocery store felt like visiting a museum, with all the unfamiliar products and shopping habits. Honestly, you could spend a whole month just getting to know Madrid.

The host family was amazing and gave me a genuine glimpse into life in Madrid—the culture, the food, how people behave, and the rhythm of daily life. They even recommended places I probably wouldn’t have found on my own, places that aren’t all over social media but are worth visiting.

This program has been such a great example of how cultural exchange should work. Thanks to the support of the coordinators, the whole paperwork and prep process was smooth and stress-free—so all I had to focus on was the excitement of the journey ahead.

I spent most of my free time outside exploring. My go-to activities were grabbing coffee, walking around, discovering new spots, checking out museums and exhibitions, eating at local restaurants, going to cultural events, meeting people, and picking up more Spanish along the way.

One of the highlights was traveling with my host family during their vacation. Thanks to that, I saw parts of Spain I never would have thought to visit on my own—and they turned out to be unforgettable. I went surfing for the first time, learned to trot on horseback, and met so many new people. The parents also gave me tons of great tips that helped me save money and make the most of my time here.

Her advice to future participants:

Be mindful that you’re living with a family—and this isn’t like a 9-to-5 job where you can just “clock out.” Once you bond with the kids, it’s hard to stay completely detached during your downtime. If you’re staying for longer than a month, remember you’re not just here for the travel and fun—it’s also about the job. And with kids, nothing ever goes exactly as planned.

The most important thing is to be patient, keep your cool, and establish your role with confidence. Once you do that, everything becomes easier—and you can start fully enjoying the adventures: the travel, the friendships, the incredible memories.

This program also gives you a rare chance to truly get to know yourself in a completely new environment. You learn to enjoy your own company and become more independent—and honestly, that’s one of the most valuable life lessons you can take with you.