Nikola, one of our cultural exchange participants in Spain, writes to us from Gijón, a coastal town on the Bay of Biscay. Here’s what he had to say about his experience so far:
My first impressions have all been positive. The program is really interesting—it helps people learn new things, experience a dream country, and live in it. The city I’m staying in, Gijón, is beautiful and sits right on the ocean. It’s a big city with a lot going on. The food is cheap, and overall, the cost of living isn’t high—but even better, I haven’t had to spend money on much at all, since everything is provided. The host family is amazing—I don’t have a single bad thing to say.
In my free time, I meet people, travel to nearby towns, explore my city, and keep up with my training.
What I’ve enjoyed the most is how open-minded, kind, and generally happy people seem to be here. I’ve been lucky to have so much provided for me—from a super comfortable place to stay and delicious food, to access to local gyms and activities in the city, all covered by my host family (which isn’t something required by the program—they’re just that generous).
His message to future participants:
To anyone considering this experience—I recommend you go for it. You’ll enjoy it and gain so many opportunities to grow in different areas. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and about another culture—and honestly, nothing about it has been hard or stressful.
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