10 reasons you should do the immersion program

If you're thinking about teaching abroad in Madrid through CIEE, I feel very strongly about one thing...DO THE IMMERSION PROGRAM! 

It's been 3 weeks since moving abroad and I can't imagine this experience without the past two, which have been spent living with a host family and attending Spanish classes everyday. Orientation is only four days long, so having this plan for the following 2 or 4 weeks (there are two options) is the best way to set yourself up for success. Not only does this program provide you with a smooth transition into your life in Spain, but it also gives you a chance to get acclimated to your new environment by giving you opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture. You have a chance to live with a Spanish family and therefore practice your Spanish both inside and outside of the classroom, while also deepening your understanding of Spanish life.

All of this being said, I would be remiss if I didn't give a disclaimer that I had an extremely positive experience with my host family. Not everyone was as happy with their situation because naturally, everyone has different experiences, so it's important to note that it most likely won't be all sunshine and rainbows. If you go into it with realistic expectations and an open mind, I'm confident the experience will change your life for the better.

Benefits of living with a host family: 

For me, this was a no-brainer. I've always imagined myself having this experience because it's an incredible way to learn about a foreign country and understand the culture more. That being said, I kept my expectations very low going into it because I was worried that I'd arrive and struggle with the language barrier or perhaps feel a huge sense of culture shock. Luckily, that wasn't the case and my experience was even better than I could've imagined!

1. You get the opportunity to learn about your host family's lives, culture, customs, and background
2. You usually have a roommate from the program who becomes a built-in friend and support system, especially if they speak way better Spanish than you do like my roommate did!
3. Meals are not only included (breakfast and dinner), but in our case, delicious! Our host dad, Pipo, was an incredible cook and my favorite part of everyday was sitting down for dinner at 9pm and laughing a lot while doing our best to communicate
4. You will learn so much Spanish, especially if they only speak Spanish to you like ours did (they definitely knew a good amount of English, but they didn't speak it with us)
5. It buys you time to look for an apartment! Most people found housing by the end of two weeks which alleviates the stress of having to stay in a hotel or Air BnB for weeks, which can be really expensive.

Benefits of taking Spanish classes at Tandem:

If you're thinking of living and working in Spain for a year, I hope you're planning to learn Spanish! Some people arrive and have taken Spanish for many years, but a lot also come knowing absolutely nothing. If you don't know any, I highly recommend doing this program so that you can get around without using a translator every single time you need to communicate. I feel very passionate about the fact that if you're moving to a city where everyone speaks Spanish, you should really try your best to learn it too so that you're not just another American who expects everyone to speak English.

1. You take an "oral exam" prior to the start of school and you're split up into different levels based on your prior knowledge
2. The day is broken into two classes with two different teachers: one from 9:30am-11am and the other from 11:30am-1pm. This schedule give you structure, while still allowing you the freedom to do what you need to do before and after school
3. You instantly have a community! Not only is everyone in the same boat of looking for housing and exploring the city, but Tandem organizes activities, tours, and classes for after school everyday. You can take dance classes, cooking classes, or go on a tour of the Museo Reina Sofía without having to plan anything!
4. You have more time to bond with new friends and find the right roommates instead of rushing into a decision during orientation or meeting someone online months before
5. You also just get so much more time with the friends you met at orientation! You will all be together at school everyday for an additional two or four weeks following the week of orientation and I wouldn't trade this time with everyone for the world.

All in all, if you're considering teaching abroad for a year, the best way to do it is to go all in and truly experience everything this program has to offer. Get out of your comfort zone, have an open mind, ask lots of questions, embrace all the differences between your own culture and Spanish culture, and I have no doubt you will look back and be so grateful for everything you experienced and learned!