My Summer break in Spain: How Three Weeks Changed My Life
I’ll be honest—when my parents first suggested I spend my summer in Spain, living with a host family, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Sure, I’d taken a few years of Spanish in school, but the thought of diving headfirst into a new culture, speaking Spanish 24/7, and living with strangers felt both thrilling and intimidating. But now, looking back at those three weeks, I can confidently say it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Not only did my Spanish improve beyond anything I thought possible, but I also grew in ways I never imagined as a young adult.
Living with a Spanish host family meant I was fully surrounded by the language every single day. From breakfast conversations to family dinners and weekend outings, I was constantly hearing, speaking, and thinking in Spanish. At first, it was overwhelming. I remember sitting at the dinner table that first night, trying to follow their rapid-fire conversation, nodding along even when I only caught half the words.
But something amazing happened around the second week—I started to understand more. My host mom would ask me about my day, and I could respond in full sentences. My host siblings joked around, and I finally started laughing with them instead of nervously smiling. By the end of the three weeks, I was even cracking my own (albeit simple) jokes in Spanish.
It was so much more effective than learning in a classroom. Instead of memorizing vocabulary lists, I was using the language in real life. I learned the difference between formal and informal speech, picked up slang, and even caught myself thinking in Spanish by the time I flew home.
The experience wasn’t just about improving my Spanish—it was also about stepping out of my comfort zone and growing as a person.
Summer break in Spain
Living with a host family meant I had to adapt to a completely new routine and way of life. My host family in Barcelona loved to eat dinner late, which was a big adjustment for someone used to eating at 6 p.m. I learned to embrace siestas, the rhythm of life in Spain, and even tried foods I never thought I’d like—octopus, anyone?
I also became more independent. Back home, I rely on my parents for a lot of things, but in Spain, I had to navigate the metro on my own, communicate my needs to my host family, and figure out how to blend into a culture that wasn’t my own. It was challenging at times, but each little victory—whether it was finding my way to a café in town or successfully asking for directions—gave me more confidence.
One of the best parts of the experience was the relationships I built. My host siblings became like real siblings to me—we played video games, went to the park, and they even helped me practice Spanish when I got stuck. I also made friends through the local community events my host family took me to, from soccer games to town festivals.
Saying goodbye was harder than I expected. My host mom hugged me tightly at the airport and told me, *“Esta siempre será tu casa,”* which means, “This will always be your home.” I’ll never forget that moment. When I got back home, I felt like a new person. I wasn’t just better at Spanish—I was more confident, more open-minded, and more self-reliant. I learned that the world is so much bigger than my hometown and that stepping into someone else’s shoes, even for a few weeks, can teach you more than any textbook ever could.
If you’re thinking about becoming an exchange student, my advice is simple: do it. You’ll make memories that last a lifetime, grow in ways you never thought possible, and maybe even come home with a second family—and a second language.
¡Hasta luego!