There are a lot of opportunities to study outside the regular town you’ve found yourself in. Fresh, fun and exciting, the thrill of studying in a foreign country can have anyone jumping at the chance! This is your chance to go abroad and explore the world as a student. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain. It gives the feel of both the city rush and quiet moments in the plazas. It’s also the city where a host family is willing to take in an exchange student. Asides travelling and meeting people, the benefits of the program is to help you achieve a global sense of point of view, where you enrich yourself with different cultures while having opportunities to study different degrees that might not be available at the college you are in. Being with a host family will also give you an in-depth and firsthand experience on what’s it like to be Spanish, to see the world in a different point of view.

For an introduction of the culture, the Spanish bullfighting, called corrida de toros (running of bulls) is one of their oldest traditions. First believed as a sport for the aristocrats, it’s become a local sport with a season from March to October. Watching fearless matadors dodge the heavy and dangerous bulls can give anyone a pump of adrenalin. Sometimes described as a dance with death, it only takes one slow move or missing a sign for the matador to be seriously harmed. It’s more than just waving a red cape, but the precision a matador has to tell the bull’s mood and be able to dodge its charge. Another cultural icon of the country is the famous multifaceted flamenco. It is considered a Spanish art, coming in three forms. There is the cante or song, the baile or dance, and the guitarra or guitar playing. Each form speaks for its own. There is a flamenco song, the famous dance with the layers of ruffles as a costume, and the popular sounds of fast guitar strings. Other cultural icons can only be seen to be astonished over. The historical architecture Sagrada Familia is one of the most iconic religious buildings which attract millions of visitors every year, Catholic or not. Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, has been in construction since 1882 and is expected to be complete by 2026. One look at the church with its massive detailed structure can have anyone in awe.

Asides sights, your sense of taste are something you can indulge in. Cuisine of Spain is largely influenced by various sea foods because of the waters that surround the country. Asturias is a dish known for having fresh squid, crab, shrimp and sea bass. Other dishes are based on beans (chickpeas, lentils), soups and bread. Tortilla de patata or potato omellete, paella which is a rice and seafood dish popular in Valencia, sausages such as chorizo and morcilla are only some of the many mouth-watering dishes that Spain has to offer you. The Spanish language is just as satisfying to study. Being spoken in over 21 countries just proves that learning the language is an investment. Basics are Me llamo (pronounced as meh lyamo, my name is), como esta (komo esta, how are you), the ever famous hola (ola, hello) and greetings such as buenas dias (bwenas deeyas, good morning) and buenas noches (bwenas noches, good night). As stated in countless movies, no hablo mucho espanol (no ablo mooch espanyol) can save you if you’re not fluent in the language, with the meaning of “I don’t speak much Spanish”.

There is much to do and see in Spain, but not as much as it can do for your personality. With a host family offering you a comfortable home in Valencia, Spain, there is nothing to stop you from enriching yourself with Spain’s riches.