At EUROACE, we were delighted to welcome Washington State University back to Valencia for another Spanish immersion program. After several weeks of classes, cultural activities, excursions, and everyday life in Spain, we spoke with Fran, one of the WSU program supervisors, about the students’ experience, the value of learning Spanish through immersion, and why Valencia continues to be such a meaningful destination for international education.
1. To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role and the WSU program?
My name is Francisco, although most people call me Fran, and I am a professor at Washington State University. We are here as part of a study abroad program connected to the Department of Languages, Cultures, and Race at WSU.
This is our second time coming to Valencia, and the program is focused specifically on Spanish. We design it as a cultural and academic experience for our students, most of whom come from the United States. Some are native English speakers learning Spanish, while others are Mexican-American students who are reconnecting with the language of their families.
During the program, students take two classes. One is focused on Spanish culture and the history of Spain, which I teach, and the other is a Spanish conversation class taught by my colleague. The students spend one month here in Valencia, combining academic learning with real cultural immersion.
2. Compared to learning Spanish in the United States, what do students gain from using the language here in Spain?
They gain a lot. In the United States, many students are mostly exposed to Mexican Spanish or to forms of Spanish that are strongly influenced by English. That is often the variety of Spanish they hear in class or in their everyday surroundings.
Coming to Spain gives them the opportunity to discover different accents, different expressions, and even grammatical forms they may not use very often, such as vosotros. It helps them understand the diversity of the Spanish language.
At the same time, they are not only learning the language in a classroom. They are living with host families, sharing meals, having conversations, and navigating daily life in Spanish. That full immersion makes a huge difference. By the end of the program, the feedback from students about their linguistic development has been very positive.
3. Have you noticed an improvement in the students’ Spanish during their time in Valencia?
Yes, definitely. I have noticed a very strong development in their communication skills, especially considering that students arrive with different levels of Spanish. Some are beginners, others are intermediate, and others are more advanced, so each student progresses in a different way.
However, if there is one area where I have seen improvement across the whole group, it is listening comprehension. They are not only taking classes in Spanish, but also living with families and participating in activities and tours in Spanish.
By the end of the program, they are able to understand more complex structures, different accents, and real conversations with much more confidence.
4. This year’s program included many more cultural activities than last year. How has that shaped the students’ experience?
This year, the program was much more ambitious in terms of cultural activities and excursions. That has been very valuable, because it allowed students to experience many different sides of Valencia and the surrounding region.
At the same time, it has also helped us reflect on the ideal balance for future programs. When you include a lot of activities, you need to think carefully about which ones bring the most academic, cultural, and personal value to the students.
The experience has shown us how important it is to combine structured activities with enough free time, so students can also explore the city independently, rest, and process what they are learning.
5. How has the collaboration with EUROACE been throughout the program?
EUROACE has been very open, flexible, and supportive throughout the process. Whenever we have had suggestions or needed to adjust something, the team has been willing to listen and help us find solutions.
A program like this always teaches you something for the future. Every year gives us new ideas about how to prepare students better, how to set expectations more clearly, and how to make the experience even smoother.
One important lesson is that students need to understand before arriving that life in Spain works differently from life in the United States. The meal times, the walking, the structure of the city, the relationship with host families, and the rhythm of daily life are all part of the immersion experience.
6. What feedback have you received from students about what they enjoyed most this year?
I think what they enjoyed most was Valencia itself. For many of them, living in a walkable city is a completely different experience. In many parts of the United States, you cannot simply leave your house, walk through the city, visit a museum, go to a park, or stop for an ice cream in the same way.
Valencia gives them that freedom. They can explore, discover new places, and experience the city in a very natural way.
Of course, each student has different interests. Some loved the excursions and outdoor activities, while others preferred museums, shops, parks, or simply spending time in the city. But overall, I would say Valencia made the strongest impression. They leave with a very broad and rich image of the city.
7. What advice would you give to future WSU students who are thinking about joining this program?
The advice I always give is to come with an open mind. The world does not revolve around one country or one culture. There are many ways to live, eat, communicate, move through a city, and understand daily life.
Students need to be ready to explore and to let themselves experience something different. Spain is not going to adapt completely to their expectations, and that is precisely the point of studying abroad. The experience asks you to adapt, observe, and grow.
I always encourage students to see people as people. Host families, teachers, local residents, and classmates all have their own ways of doing things. Some differences may feel surprising at first, but they are part of the learning process.
The most important thing is to arrive with curiosity, respect, and the willingness to see life from another perspective.
8. How would you summarize the experience in one word?
I would choose the word exciting.
When you arrive here, you experience many different emotions: surprise, curiosity, acceptance, and sometimes even discomfort. But all of those emotions are part of being in a new place.
Valencia is a very dynamic city. It offers so much, and it constantly invites students to feel, think, compare, and discover. That is why I would describe the experience as exciting — because it truly awakens emotions and opens new perspectives.
Thank you, Fran!
Thank you to Fran for sharing his perspective on this year’s WSU Spanish immersion program in Valencia. His reflections remind us that learning a language is not only about grammar or vocabulary, but about living the language, understanding new ways of life, and stepping outside your comfort zone.
At EUROACE, we are proud to continue welcoming international students who are ready to learn Spanish through real cultural immersion.
