An Unforgettable Week in Spain: Our Student Exchange in Vila-Real
From May 19 to 26, we had the special opportunity to take part in a student exchange with the Santa Maria School in Vila-Real—supported by ERASMUS. One thing we can say right away: This week was full of exciting experiences, new friendships, and unforgettable memories!
On the trip there, you could really feel the excitement and, above all, the anticipation. When we arrived at the school, we were warmly welcomed and taken in by our exchange partners and their families. We quickly settled into the daily life of a Spanish family. Whether in class, on group outings, or at dinner with the family—we gathered so many new experiences that will stay with us for a long time to come.
An Introduction to Spanish Culture
Everyday school life in Vila-Real was an exciting experience. But what we enjoyed most were the group activities: a trip to the beach, an exciting day in Valencia, and, of course, the visit to the stadium of the famous soccer club Villarreal CF. These experiences not only gave us a deeper understanding of Spanish culture but also provided many opportunities to make new friends—friendships that will surely last well beyond the exchange program.
Gained valuable life experience as well
Even on days without an official program, our exchange partners were actively involved: They organized outings, introduced us to their friends, and made us feel truly welcome. Not only did we see and learn a lot, but we also felt completely at ease. For us, the exchange—accompanied by our teachers Mar Montenegro and Nicole Hohm—was an unforgettable experience. We learned to be more independent, to approach others with greater openness, to express ourselves in a foreign language, and to get to know new cultures and people.
In the end, it was very hard for all of us to say goodbye, but we know that we didn’t just improve our Spanish—we also gained experiences that will last a lifetime. And who knows—maybe we’ll see each other again soon!
By Lilly and Hannah, 9th grade
