Ella Perry - NSW to Spain

Fri 13 Mar 2009

Ella Perry, from Lindfield NSW, went on a year program to Spain last year with Student Exchange Australia and returned in the beginning of February. She wrote us this report on her experience as an exchange student in Spain.

“I only arrived home 2 weeks ago from my year program in Spain. It was a year full of excitement and incredible experiences.

The most challenging part of my year away was not missing my family and friends in Australia, it was actually learning Spanish. In saying this, it was hard at first; however it’s fun, interesting and exciting at the same time. One thing which I loved about Spain was that even though I didn’t speak Spanish when I arrived, everyone made such a big effort in helping me out. They would speak very slowly, use hand gestures, take me out on the weekends and involve me in their culture. After a few months of listening to Spanish and being very patient, I had noticed my Spanish had improved dramatically. I found that every month that passed, my experience would get better and better as my Spanish improved.

My amazing friends and host family made up such an important part of my year away.
For the whole year I lived with the same family in a small town in the north of Spain. It was an amazing region, filled with cobbled skinny streets, cathedrals, beautiful buildings and people. From day one, my host family took me under their wing and treated me like a member of their family. Even during the 3 months summer holiday they took me with them, to Scotland and different cities in Spain.

My friends in Spain also were amazing. I found the people in Spain just so friendly and willing to help. I remember going to Barcelona for the day with one girl I’d only met once before. And since then, we’ve become such great friends and still keep in contact. Everyday at my high school I sat with the same group of friends, who were incredible. Although, being an exchange student you have so many friends because everyone is so interested in you and learning about your culture. People invited me everywhere, whether it was to their houses, the local bar or to dance clubs. And with the latest technologies it’s so easy to keep in touch. For example the other day I was able to call a Spanish friend on Skype, completely free.

Festivals and food also played a very big part in my year away. I was able to take part in lots of different fiestas (parties) during my stay. In Spain it seems like there’s always a party. Normally once a year every town will celebrate! With sometimes free food, wine, lots of people, bull fights or just even bull entertainment in the streets and live entertainment. Everyone is so proud of their town festivals, and it’s amazing to see. Where I lived, the colours of the festivals were red and white. So during the town’s one week festival, the streets would be crowded with people wearing white pants, white tops, and a red scarf around their neck. I was also able to attend “The Running of the Bulls” in Pamplona, which was an unbelievable experience. A heart pumping festival, where lots of people try and run in a skinny, crowded street, with bulls running towards them. Very dangerous!

Food is very important in Spain and luckily it’s also very delicious. Over the year I ate lots of fish, muscles, prawns, paella, tortilla, pasta, vegetables, jamon (amazing ham), tapas and lots more. I think one thing that people thinking of going on a student exchange should know is that you have to be very open to trying new things. I remember one day in my summer holidays it was raining. So my 5 year old host brother began collecting snails and my host dad said to me, “We are going to eat them this week”. And I thought my host dad was joking, so I wouldn’t believe him. Eventually after a week of the snails being in a container, my host dad boiled them up, and fried them in garlic and butter. Initially I was very skeptical. However after my first bite, I decided they were actually very tasty!

Overall, I really think student exchange to any country is what you put into it. It can be hard at times, but you also need to remember that it’s so easy to keep in contact with your family and friends, with Skype, facebook, email etc. I would truly recommend the year program, as you really need one year away to get to a good level of Spanish. Also with one year way, you are able to form strong relationships with your host family and friends. It really is a great year away, and it’s guaranteed to leave you with life long experiences”