For today´s blog, we sat down with Andrea, who is participating in our High School program. This program is a bit different to both our Spanish courses and internships as it offers students the opportunity to spend a semester or an entire academic year at a Spanish school. This experience allows them to advance academically while immersing themselves in a new culture and country.

We asked Andrea some questions about his intergration, his stay with his host family and his overall experience in Valencia so far. Here´s what he told us:

1. How do you feel in Valencia? How has your integration been into a different context compared to your country? 

I made the decision to come to Valencia because I already knew that Italian culture is very similar to Spanish culture. All the people I have interacted with have been very kind and friendly, and from the first day, I realized that integrating here wouldn’t have been as difficult as I thought. Right now, Valencia feels like my second home.

2. Have the language barrier affected you much? Can you communicate fluently with locals?

When I made the decision to have this experience, I already knew that I would face many problems, including the language barrier. So, I decided from the beginning to tackle this issue by taking a course in Italy and practicing Spanish every day (watching series, listening to music, etc.). As a result, when I arrived, I was already able to speak and hold a conversation, although I feel that my language fluency has improved a lot in these months.

3. How is your experience with your host family? Do you feel integrated, respected, and valued?

The relationship with the host family has gone beyond all the expectations I had imagined before coming: from the first day, they made me feel like part of their family, and they have always been very available and kind. Surely, without them, my experience here would have been very different, and I don’t know if I would be enjoying it as much as I am now.

4. What is your daily life like with your host family? Do you do activities with them?

We always do many activities together. For example, we went to pick oranges, took a trip to Alicante, and visited the historical places in Valencia… Regarding everyday life, I can say that they always make me feel their support whenever I ask for something, even now that three months have passed and I am practically integrated.

5. What are you enjoying the most during your stay? How has the experience been overall?

What I’m enjoying the most is that I have managed to build a life from scratch on my own. In a place where I initially came without knowing anyone, with all my fears and worries, now I feel at home. I can definitely say that up to now, this has been the best experience of my life, one in which I feel more mature and independent, and without a doubt, I have gained a lot of self-esteem and confidence in myself.

6. What differences have you noticed between the Spanish education system and that of your country?

The biggest difference between the Spanish and Italian school systems is that the course structure in Italy actually has one less year of studies, so the program they follow here in Spain is what I would have to do next year in Italy. Because of this, I had to face topics that I had never studied in Italy, and surely, my biggest problem here has been this. By the way, if someone had told me before coming that this would be my biggest issue, I would have come with much fewer worries!

7. What differences have you noticed between Spain and your country?

Like I said, I actually chose Spain in the first place because I had been told that the cultures of this country and Italy are very similar. Here, I confirmed that personally: the Spanish people are very welcoming and generous like in Italy, and they have an extroverted and kind character, practically the same as ours. There aren´t much differences that I can think of!

8. What do you do in your free time? What do you like most about Valencia?

The thing I do most in my free time is play padel and hang out with my friends: I’m a very dynamic and sporty guy, and I don’t like spending too much time at home, I consider that time wasted. That’s why I always try to fill my days doing something other than looking at a screen or watching TV.

9. Have you participated in any EUROACE activities?

I couldn´t make some of them but I had signed up for one activity, but unfortunately, they were canceled due to a lack of participants, although I would have loved to go. I am hoping to go to the Christmas party at the end of this month!

We always love hearing about how our students are progressing with their programs, even after they’ve settled in and grown more confident in their surroundings. Their feedback not only helps us improve, but also provides valuable insights for people just like you! It is a great way to weigh your options and decide which program is the best fit!

If you´d like to find out more information about our High school programs, please click the following link.

For more about our Spanish courses, accommodation services and internship programs, please visit our website https://euroace.net/