Alumni Interview with Grace Fogle

What inspired you to travel abroad?

My mother traveled abroad in high school and felt this would be a great experience for me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and experience being away from home and meeting new people. She also hosted a young girl from France when she was young and said she remembers what a great experience it was and how life changing it was. It also gave me a chance to leave my school and see how another school was in another country. Also none of my siblings or friends have done this.

Why did you choose Nacel International?

My mom and her family used Nacel when she was in high school. She found out that they were still doing abroad programs. After my parents talked with Davine and Celine from Nacel, they made it feel very safe and comfortable to move forward with the program. They were always so helpful and responsive to my parents. It is my junior year at school and a month was really the most time I could be away without a big impact on my grades. My school was very supportive about going and having this experience. When I came back they worked out my grades and I made up any work that I missed. I did work while I was there, too.

What was your favorite part about Spain?

Spain is beautiful! My host family took me around to many wonderful places to see. I saw many churches and museums. We went to the beach and local restaurants. Spain is so big that there are so many places to see and visit. I can't wait to go back soon. I also want to possibly go to college to take a semester and study abroad. I never realized how many mountains were in Spain. When I was there it wasn't very warm but still nice to walk around. It rained a lot! That did not stop us from seeing so many great places.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

My host family made it the best experience! They were in the airport waiting for me. They were so welcoming and kind to me. They took the time to show me how they lived. My host mom was so great she would send pictures home to my family and let them know I was doing great! They included me in all their daily activities and introduced me to their family and friends. My host mom helped me with my uniform and made sure I was comfortable and respected in the house. I felt safe and that they really wanted me there.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff supported me very nicely. I also had one visit from the Nacel coordinator to check in on me. Everyone was so kind and open to me coming. My host family was amazing and the kids at the school were very friendly to me. The teachers helped the best they could with showing me what they studied in Spain. They allowed me to try new things in the classroom, and helped me with my Spanish. I was the first American student in a really long time to be in the school. So the students were super excited to talk to me and learn English!

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

Nothing I loved everything! Maybe stay longer. By staying longer, I could have really learned so much more about the language. If I stayed longer, I would have been able to really be involved with the classes and studies at the school and had my grades transfer back to the United States. But since I was there only a month, they did not. When I was there I worked on studies from back at home and my teachers and I kept in touch about things that they were doing and any work that I was able to do in Spain I did.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

I would get up and my host mom would drive us to school. We would come home in the afternoon and have a late lunch. Then I would hang out with the family and have a late dinner with everyone. I was not used to eating at the times they did, but I was okay with it all and trying new foods. I was able to talk with my family back home, too. My host family made me feel very much a part of the family and included me in everything. I felt like it was very relaxed. They brought me to my friend's house and places with my host sister.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I loved hanging out with the new friends I made. They brought me to clubs and restaurants. Things are very different than here. It was very exciting for me. I liked seeing the different places where kids my age hung out. Trying new places to eat and see. I watched my host sister play her sport. They brought me to their extended family events too. At dinner we sat around talking a lot and laughing. I really enjoyed that. My host family took me to their favorite places on the weekends and when they had time off.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

I had great accommodations! I lived in a house with my host family. It was so nice. I had my own room. It was in a nice area. We were close to the water. I liked that they gave me my space and privacy when needed. They treated me like one of the family. They were very relaxed and funny too! I had two host sisters. They helped me when needed. We all respected our personal space. They had a friendly dog too. I felt like I fit right in with the family.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

Everyone should know that it is normal to be super nervous! I was. I was so surprised with myself that I was going to leave my home and live with people that I never met! I never traveled alone and I did it all by myself! I had to stop in Madrid and get another flight to Gijon. That was a little challenging getting through an airport that big and by myself. It is important to know that the people hosting really want to make your time with them special and enjoyable! They want to share their culture and way of living with you. And you don't know if you don't like it until you try!

Would you recommend Nacel International to others? Why?

I would definitely recommend my immersion homestay program to high school students. I know the people were helpful at Nacel. My mom felt very comfortable sending me. I can't wait to go back and would recommend to anyone if they had the chance to travel and experience a different country and culture, they should. Being out of my school for a month was amazing! I got to see how other kids learned and interacted somewhere totally different than where I lived. The program was great. They answered all of my parents' questions.

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

I feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is learning about a new culture and meeting new people. I was so nervous about going and I feel I accomplished so much by going there by myself. I gained so much confidence. I also made lifelong friends with my new family. We became so close that we have made plans to see each other this summer! It makes me want to travel more and try new things. I have so many wonderful memories and I still sometimes think I can't believe I went and lived in Spain with a family I never met!

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

I was so sad to leave and I am so much better with my Spanish and really have a great feeling about traveling abroad. I did not want to come home and I really enjoyed my new family and the lifestyle they had. It was nice to be with new people. I am from a very small town and school, so this was a big deal to experience this. I also feel so much more confident with myself. I feel after traveling alone, I can do a lot of things. College doesn’t seem scary anymore!

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means to be with great people, in a safe environment. To go to places that I have never seen before, try new foods and be open to new things. There are so many places to visit in this world. There are good people in the world that want to enjoy life and share it. Whenever an opportunity comes up you should take it! My family loves to travel and this has inspired my siblings to want to travel abroad too. My sister has gone abroad with her school as a school trip. I was the first one to live for a time away from home.