Try Something New – A Cultural Exchange in Spain

Maša, one of our cultural exchange participants, writes to us from the beautiful town of Mungia, located in the Vizcaya region of the Basque Country. She’s been living there for a few weeks now, and her experience has been nothing short of exciting.

Choosing the right host family is così important, especially if you’re planning to stay for an extended period of time. I’ve been really lucky — the family I’m with is thoughtful and gives me plenty of free time to explore on my own. The parents don’t speak much English, which turned out to be a great thing for me — I came here with some knowledge of Spanish, and having to rely on it every day has helped me improve so much. The town itself is surrounded by nature, super clean, and well-preserved. Nearby cities like Bilbao and San Sebastián offer tons of fun options so you’re never bored. Honestly, I probably never would’ve chosen this part of Spain on my own — but the family’s profile caught my eye, and I’m so glad it did. I ended up loving it here.

In my free time, I get to choose whether I want to join the family for a beach trip, a backyard barbecue with their friends, or a little road trip to visit other parts of Spain. Other times, I hop on a bus and head to the bigger cities, where I visit museums, meet up with friends, or go out. I’m living in a beautiful residential area filled with spacious, well-equipped homes, and I even have access to a private lake and pool that a few houses here share — not bad at all!

This program pushed me to try a lot of things on my own for the very first time, and I’m especially grateful for that. From the very beginning, I had to speak Spanish — no switching to English as a backup, since most people I met didn’t speak it. I loved seeing how this family lives — how chill they are (sometimes too chill!), where they go out, and how they socialize. But if I’m being honest, the best part of the Basque Country has been the food. Over these two months, I’ve collected so many recipes and meal ideas I can’t wait to try back home. And every time I passed a pastry shop, I had to go in — I discovered so many desserts I’d never heard of before, and they turned out to be delicious.

When it comes to working with the Center, I knew from day one I was in good hands. They were there for me from the very beginning — helping with profile creation, guiding me through video calls with families, and even now while I’m abroad. Whatever I needed, they were just a message away. Everything was clearly explained, and their kind, helpful attitude made the whole process feel smooth and safe.

And her advice for future participants?

Simple: go for it. If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone and experience something completely new, this kind of adventure is worth it. Sure, there are tough moments, and sometimes you’ll feel a bit lonely — after all, you’re away from everything familiar for months. It’s important to remember that this isn’t just a vacation where you’re sightseeing around Spain. A big part of your time is spent with the kids and connecting with the family — so choose wisely!