My Place Under the Spanish Sun

Marija has chosen to spend the next six months in one of Europe’s most beautiful and vibrant countries—Spain. Here’s how her days unfold in the sunniest corner of the continent.

Driven by an unshakable desire to travel and stay in motion, and open to all sorts of new experiences, I decided to dive into an adventure called the Experience Spain program. Since I already spoke the language and had always dreamed of visiting the country, Spain felt like the obvious choice. What made that dream a reality was the Center for Affirmation and Development and their kind, dedicated team, who made sure I had everything I needed for a successful stay abroad.

Leaving everything behind to head into the unknown isn’t easy, even if it’s just temporary. There are always risks, and no one can fully predict what’s waiting on the other side. But once you’ve made the decision, the most important thing is to trust yourself and keep a positive outlook about what’s ahead.

Spain greeted me with open arms and made me feel incredibly welcome. The first family that reached out was from the south, in beautiful Andalusia—more specifically, Seville. I said yes, ready to begin my journey in what’s often called the warmest part of Europe. Throughout the entire placement process, I stayed in close contact with a coordinator from the Center, who patiently answered all my questions. What meant a lot to me, though, was also having regular conversations with the mom from the host family. She was always open and informative, addressing my concerns with lots of detail, suggestions, and solutions. From the very start, it was clear that this was a kind, friendly family, just as eager for the experience as I was.

Before heading to Seville, I stopped in Madrid and got to explore Aranjuez, Madrid itself, and Toledo, which was a perfect way to kick off the trip. Everything was exactly as planned. I was greeted by a young, cheerful couple and their two playful little kids, bursting with energy and joy. Once I settled in and found my rhythm, I truly began to feel at home. Even more importantly, I became a part of the family.

Our house is constantly filled with laughter, energy, ideas, and great conversations—it’s a genuinely lovely place to be. I speak mostly English with the kids and try to teach them something new every day, while also practicing my Spanish in between. I help out around the house during the week, with simple chores that don’t take up too much time. I’m with the kids after school, though not every day. We usually go to parks or playgrounds, which are everywhere here. The parents are often around, too, which makes everything smoother and makes me feel supported.

I’ve got plenty of free time, and I’m using it to explore new places, take photos, and try delicious local dishes. Spain is a gorgeous country, full of warmth, not just from the sun, but from its people. Everyone is upbeat, friendly, and incredibly welcoming to foreigners. My plate is always full, I’m free to go wherever I want, and I’ve never felt like I was missing a thing.

I feel truly accepted and happy here, and I’m so grateful to myself for saying yes to this experience and to everyone who helped make it happen!