Our cultural exchange participant Natalija wrote to us from Playa de Palma, a beachside resort just south of Palma de Mallorca, where she’s been staying for nearly a month and a half.
The family has been incredibly kind to me from day one—they’ve treated me like one of their own. The extended family has also been very welcoming, and they often take me out to explore the area. I live with a grandmother and a single father, but I spend most of my time with the grandmother. I take care of three boys, but the youngest, who’s just two and a half, needs the most attention, so he’s my main focus. I was skeptical about the whole program at first, and honestly, I had no idea what to expect until I arrived and met the family. Your entire experience depends on the family and the kids—everything else is secondary.
The town I’m in is close to Palma de Mallorca, which is beautiful. Since the kids are currently with their mom, I’ve had over a month of free time, and I’m trying to make the most of it by exploring as many places as I can. Spanish culture is different from ours—people here are so much more relaxed and know how to enjoy life. 😁
Having friends here makes a huge difference. No matter how independent you are, things are always more fun with company. I’d recommend checking out Facebook groups—there are tons of cultural exchange participants from all over the world, even more than from the Balkans, so you’ll be able to find someone to hang out with.
To future candidates, I’d say this:
Think it through before applying—make sure you’re ready for an experience like this. But honestly, you should go. Go, see, and experience it all! Step out of your comfort zone, because you never know what life has in store!
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