Living with a Host Family

“and then I realized, adventure was the best way to learn”

So I am now approaching a month since I have been in Barcelona and I will say I have adapted quite smoothly thanks to my host family. Living with a host family I think is the best way to really indulge yourself in the ‘new’ culture around you. They have been nothing but helpful to me and I am extremely grateful to have met them. It really helps me become less homesick because I still get to experience certain aspects that I did back in the United States like hearing the parents speak Spanish to one another while wee have dinner. They have a 10 year old Daughter and the cutest dog too, which all help me feel right at home. I have also been more encouraged to speak Spanish at home with the family which helps me to practice the fluidity of my Spanish.

I also am more knowledgeable of the neighborhood around me as my host parents helped me to understand the direction of streets, buildings, and which famous attractions I must see before leaving. There is just something so heart warming being able to come home from class and be greeted by a family. I also get the best home cooked meals which not only saves me a bit of money but opens up my taste pallet to combinations I did not even think of. Besides all the benefits to being with a host family I have learned a lot from being with them through new traditions in which I am now exposed to. For example, I was not aware that in Spain dinner was at 10pm and when having dinner you are only given one plate. Unlike in the United States, at least in a Hispanic household like mine, you eat many plates until you are feeling you are about to explode. Here, you get one good portion on your plate and eat dessert after. Dessert I thought would be like cake or pie, I was wrong. Dessert was fruit or yogurt. My first impression was a little disappointing in regards to these two choices. However, throughout my experience it has changed for the better. Now I go to sleep with such a satisfied stomach where I am not starving nor so full that I can’t sleep. I enjoyed this controlled portion which now that I am writing this sounds so weird to me.

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Again, having these small experiences help me reflect on how different my culture and manners are in comparison. Now I have the knowledge and option to change them upon my return back to the United States. I really was not aware that any culture could have a dinner so late in the night time. Also Lunch here is so special to the community. It is when everyone gathers together and have lunch with one another and have a relaxed time. This is usually around 2-4 and even throughout the streets you can notice how little restaurants begin to fill up with locals. This is something I really want to change upon my return to the United States. I usually always have lunch alone during school and most of the time I do homework while I eat just because. In Spain it is not common to have lunch alone and even rude to talk about work during lunch.

I will now be having lunch with a friend and taking time to really relax and enjoy myself. Often times I don’t even really enjoy my time nor my food because of school and just the back to back schedule I had. I am now dedicated to start enjoying time!! It is so valuable. I want to start snapping out of an ongoing working mindset when I am eating and begin to enjoy life. I want to be able to live life and appreciate the present. My favorite moments in Barcelona is when I snap out for like 5 seconds and realize “wow, I am really here!”. It is so crazy. An adventure that I will never forget.