The Magic of Andalusia During the Pandemic

Eliana checked in from Spain to share what her cultural exchange experience has been like so far. Here’s what she had to say:

The beginning was a whirlwind—anxiety, fear, excitement, joy, sadness, anticipation… pretty much the entire emotional spectrum you go through when starting a new adventure and stepping into a new life. That’s exactly how I felt nearly two months ago, right before leaving for Spain. When I arrived, I was surprised by all the COVID safety measures in place and how seriously people here take them. Spain has changed so much since I last visited a year ago. All of this added to my anxiety in the first days and weeks, until I finally settled into life in this small Andalusian town nestled among the olive trees.

I live with a family that has three kids, although I mainly teach English to two of them—the third is a little baby who brings joy to my everyday. From the moment I arrived, I felt a connection with the family. They welcomed me right away, started teaching me the language, showed me their favorite spots, and even got me involved in cooking traditional Spanish dishes.

Most days are spent playing with the kids, and while they’re at school, I attend my online Master’s program. On weekends, I try to explore as much of Spain as possible, especially smaller towns that are now more accessible. On these trips, I’ve met so many interesting people from around the world—people who, like me, are trying to escape the global chaos and soak in the charm of Andalusia.

Coming from big cities like Belgrade and Thessaloniki, adjusting to life in a small town was probably the biggest challenge so far—and it’s already taught me so much. I now have a group of friends in town, and together we make the most of our time during lockdown.

Between the amazing host family, new friendships, learning a new language, and experiencing a different culture, I don’t even mind being “stuck” in one place. I’m really glad I leaped into this adventure, especially during such a strange moment in time, because you can’t grow without stepping out of your comfort zone.

To anyone considering it: go for it! There’s nothing quite like this kind of authentic experience. And of course, thank you to CAR for making it all possible, for checking in on us regularly, and for always being there when we need anything.