My name is James and I am a rising 9^th grader from Virginia.  I can’t believe it but I just finished 6 weeks in Salamanca, Spain with the Greenheart Teen Language Program.  So much has changed in just a few weeks.  I had the most amazing experience and highly recommend this program!!!

What surprised me the most about my experience in another country was the shock of the first few days.  All the blogs and information talked about that but I didn’t think it would happen to me … but it did.  The first few days you are in an unfamiliar place with people and instructors you don’t know.  I started to second guess my decision and was wondering if I made a mistake.  This doesn’t even factor in the jet lag which took me a couple of days to get over.  Now on to the other difficult adjustment of listening and speaking Spanish … all the time.  I was not prepared for how much emotional and physical energy it takes to think and speak in another language.  Now this is sounding scary for anyone reading this but hear me out.  Once you get past the initial shock of the first days you then start an amazing journey.  This will be something I will always remember!  And now that I am back home, I keep trying to find ways to speak Spanish just so I can keep that connection.

For me the most important thing I learned is that if you push through the first few days the reward is having one of the best experiences ever!

The reward is so much more than I could have ever imagined.

I can tell you that the people in Salamanca are so nice, the instructors are so much fun and I made so many friends. And the town is beautiful!  Everything is within walking distance.  Everyone is out either walking or socializing in the main square (Plaza Mayor).  The community is so welcoming and open.  I couldn’t believe it but I was pulled in by the people, culture, language and food before I even realized it.  Now let me talk about the food.  I found so many delicious foods I never knew existed.  I absolutely loved the ham, empanadas, paella, churros, melons and lime Fanta.  So yes the food is good!

If you are considering something like this I encourage you to do it!  I am so happy that I found the courage to do this.  I have come back with a love for a country, culture, language and people like I never could imagine.  I can’t properly express in words how great this experience was for me.  This can be the beginning of opening your mind to another part of the world that you will never know unless you give it a chance.

I want to thank Greenheart for giving me this opportunity and a First Time Traveler Scholarship.  I also want to thank my family and everyone in my community for having faith in me and supporting me in every way!

 

Ready to spend your summer in Salamanca? Learn more here!

Let me introduce myself again… my name is James and I am a rising freshman in High School from Virginia, USA.  I can’t believe it but I am more than half way through my six-week Greenheart Travel Teen Language Camp in Salamanca, Spain.  I started this journey with a desire to learn Spanish and to be part of the Spanish culture.

I know many teens are nervous about doing something like this.  My advice to others about living with a Spanish host-family is don’t be afraid.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Don’t be afraid to say things wrong.  It is ok to not know what to do.  Just be yourself and be open.  It is difficult at first because everyone is speaking Spanish and so fast.  It will be tough the first couple days but it gets easier every day and then one day it is awesome!  If you are a beginner Spanish speaker like me, it will help to learn some basic phrases to let them know they need to speak slower, please repeat or that you don’t understand.

My Host Family

I want to tell you a little about my Spanish host family.  My host family consists of a lady named Paula.  She is an older lady that is single and loves to cook (and I am glad for that).  We don’t do a lot of activities outside the house together.  In our house we have 4 students including me.  I share a room with another boy.  We mainly talk at dinner with Paula about our day and if we need help with anything. The other students and I walk together to school, eat dinner and go to the park to play basketball/soccer and in the evening to the main meeting place, Plaza Mayor.

Day to Day Life in Salamanca

The most difficult part about my experience in Spain was the language barrier.  It was really difficult at first because I didn’t know that much Spanish.  The other part that helps is getting settled into your routine.  For me, I wake up at 8am for breakfast (which is light like toast) and then walk to school.  I have school Monday-Friday from 9am to 12:30pm.  I then walk home for lunch which is around 1pm. Yes we walk everywhere!  Lunch is the main meal of the day.  After lunch I take a break, work on homework or take a nap (siesta) until around 5pm when I walk back to school and stay until 7pm.  I go home after school and have dinner around 9pm.  We also have school excursions on Saturdays where we go to places like the mountains or old bullfighting arenas.  We can go out to the main meeting place (Plaza Mayor) after dinner.  Again, that is where everyone goes at night.  Plaza Mayor has the best ice cream too!

Learning and Studying Spanish Here vs. Back Home

I have learned that the Spanish culture isn’t really that different from the culture I was raised in.  The biggest challenge is learning to change your brain to listen and try to speak Spanish all the time.  I have learned so much about the Spanish language.  I have learned more Spanish in my few weeks here than I did in two years of middle school Spanish.  I have some really great teachers here at the school in Spain.  They are so good and fun!  They make class fun.  Just to be clear I am not the kid that loves being in the classroom so that is saying a lot.  It is amazing how much I have learned and I love learning new Spanish each day!  I just moved up to a higher level in Spanish recently!

My Favorite Spanish Food

The food here is crazy good!  I have so many favorite foods here in Spain but Paella is my absolute top pick.  Paella is rice with seafood (whole shrimp, clams), meat like chicken, olives and peppers.  I also love the ham (it is like nothing I have ever had before!).  The ham is expensive if you get it at a restaurant but it is worth it.  My friends and I will order and share.  I will say that for dessert the churros con chocolate (it is a lightly fried dough that you dip in melted chocolate) is the best only to be passed by the ice cream.  The ice cream is the best!  I can’t forget the fruit here, the melons are so great!  I also have a favorite drink, Fanta Limon (lime flavored Fanta).  All the food is so wonderful it is hard to just mention a few!  Ok so you get the idea … the food is amazing so don’t be afraid to try everything!

Advice To Those Considering Doing This Program…

To wrap it up … This is a really scary move but it is so worth it.  Just remember that it will be really hard at first (I didn’t think it would be as hard as it was for the first few days) but before you know it you will be understanding and speaking Spanish (or at least trying) and feeling at home.  I now feel that I am fitting in and so excited so see what the next day will bring.  I can’t say enough about what an experience this has been.  I am just happy I still have more time before I go home to the United States.  I am so glad I had the courage to do this! I have gained confidence in what I can do on my own as well as friends and a love for a language and culture!  I can tell you this has been an adventure I will never forget!

 

James DuVal, from Virginia, is a Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient. Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s scholarship opportunities to help you travel for a change!

 

Do you also want to advance your Spanish skills in just 6 weeks next summer? Learn more about our program in Spain!

I am a rising 9th grader from Virginia with a desire to learn and understand the Spanish culture. I will be leaving for Salamanca, Spain, as part of the six-week Summer Language Program starting in June.

Here’s what I’m expecting from my first trip abroad:

Preparing, both physically and mentally

I have begun preparing for my trip in many ways, both physically and mentally. Mentally, I have started by pushing aside all the scary thoughts of what could happen. I think of all the positive aspects and the pros instead of the cons.

Now, to be truly ready, I have run scenarios to include what to do to be safe and how to counter being homesick. Reading the blogs and stories of what others have done and what has and hasn’t worked has definitely helped to make me feel more prepared.

I also find it helpful hearing what to bring and what not to bring. I am planning on traveling light and taking every challenge as a new experience to remember.

What I’m looking forward to the most

I am looking forward to seeing first hand how day-to-day life in Spain is different. I love soccer and getting to play soccer in Spain will be amazing.

I am really excited to taste all the new and different food. I am also really curious about how my host family will be and how I will fit into the family. I am able to adjust, to change and embrace the difference.

My goals while abroad

While in language classes, my goal is to get a real and intense understanding of the Spanish language, culture and history. Learning Spanish in a classroom and also using it in the community and part of my day-to-day life will make it real.

Right now Spanish class is more of a superficial experience. My hope is this trip will make it a part of my life and connect in some real and deep ways I cannot even imagine now.

Awaiting delicious Spanish food

I am so so excited about the food (almost as much as the soccer)! I really want to try anything that Spain throws at me. I love food and adventure, so what could be better than a country known for delicious food that I may never have a chance to try otherwise?

I have had paella (a Spanish rice dish) here in the United States, but imagine it will not be the same. I love seafood, pork, garlic, all vegetables… Well. Everything except coconut. So, Spain here I come and I am ready to try (and maybe love) any food!

What I will miss the most

I am going to miss my family and our dinners together. We have big dinners every Sunday with all of our friends and family. I will miss that! My family, friends, community and local businesses came together for a fundraiser to help me make this dream happen. They are awesome!

It will be hard at first when my everyday routines are replaced with everyday new adventures and challenges. I will miss all my friends and our time together. I will also miss going to our roller coaster and water amusement park only 40 minutes away. I go often with my family and friends!

This will be the best and most exciting trip I will be doing on my own!

Thank you to Greenheart Travel, my family, community and local businesses (Third Base Grill, New Kent Winery, Colonial Kitchen Restaurant, Food Lion, O’Charley’s Restaurant, Bohannon Law Firm and T. Scott Renick Attorney) for making it come together and supporting me!

 

James DuVal, from New Kent County, Virginia, is a Greenheart Travel First Time Traveler Scholarship recipient. Learn more about Greenheart Travel’s scholarship opportunities to help you travel for a change!

 

Are you also a first time traveler? Spain may be the place to start your adventure!