The Experiment: Spain: Spanish Language & Culture

Upon arriving in Madrid, I already could feel this would be one of my life's different and best months. The trip was full of fun adventures and unique and new experiences. I created bonds with people that I will forever be appreciative of. Every single person I met on this trip left a long-lasting impact on me. I learned lessons of gratitude, Spanish history, and culture, the Spanish language, and the diversity of Spain. The lessons I learned during my time abroad I have taken back to my home with and I will never let them go. I created bonds with people that will last forever. The hardest part of this trip was saying goodbye, not only to the people I had spent my month with but to the many various places I had created lifelong memories.

Upon beginning the program, there are many resources available for my family and I to get all the information I needed. Along with this, we had a personal online helper, which we could email about any questions – I definitely used that to my advantage. Applying for the program was fairly easy through their website. The in country staff was amazing and cooperative with the students along with my personal leaders who were very caring. I made many friendships with a variety of American and Spanish people. The immersion of culture was a quick paced environment, but enjoyable nonetheless. I was able to meet many residents of the village I stayed in, this helped me further my Spanish and push me out of my bubble. I was able to learn many new words and try a variety of different foods. I am so happy to have had this experience!

I left America with one family and returned with two. At the beginning of the trip, my main goal was simply to make friends and lasting memories during the month abroad. Those goals stayed the same throughout, but I left with a deeper love and gratitude for the new people in my life. The group of kids I left the airport with soon became the ones I’d laugh, cry, and experience newfound independence with. We all got lost together, tried new things together, and got homesick together. We occasionally would bicker just like siblings, but it only made us understand each other more. In terms of my host family, I couldn’t have asked for a better one. My sisters saw me as one of their own, and their mother and grandmother were always there to ensure I was comfortable, happy, and loved. While in Spain, I learned the importance of gratitude and how many ways there are to show your love to someone. If I were to do the program again, I can’t think of a better group to do it with.