Jana, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, writes to us from Cotos de Monterrey, a peaceful town just outside Madrid, where she’s been living for a month. Here’s what she had to say about her time there:
The host family has been incredibly kind, easy to talk to, and open to collaboration. We also met their extended family, and everyone was very warm and welcoming.
The place where I’m staying is calm and surrounded by nature, with beautiful views of the mountains. Birds chirp all day, the sun shines constantly, and the daylight stretches all the way to 10:30 PM. The homes in this area are large, with spacious yards and swimming pools—most are family homes with children. July brings more activities for young people thanks to the local summer festival in Cotos. There are four community pools and a cultural center where the locals gather and socialize.
I usually spend my free time with the host family, relaxing by the pool or hanging out around the neighborhood. We’ve visited Madrid together, went canoeing, and we’re planning to go to a water park. I’ve also taken a few solo trips to Madrid, and I’ll be heading to Valencia soon. One of the highlights was meeting another girl from the program while in Madrid—it was such a cool experience!
What she enjoyed the most:
The kindness of the people, sharing stories and experiences, the beauty of Madrid, and the peacefulness of the place she stayed.
Il suo messaggio ai futuri partecipanti:
This is a truly valuable experience. If you’re someone who wants to discover a new culture, I highly recommend signing up!
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