Meet and Greet in Valladolid
Authored By:
It's been a little over one week since I've arrived to my small village of Sahagún, and I'm so glad that I have 2 more months to spend here. I flew into Madrid where I met the other volunteers of the Castilla y Leon program. From there we took a bus to Valladolid for our orientation. On the way I was able to chat with and get to know a bit more about the other volunteers and why they chose to come to Spain. It's amazing how quickly we befriended each other. In fact, we've already made plans to meet up sometime during our stay here.
Once we got to Valladolid, we had a walking tour of the city, a three course dinner, and got to spend a night in a nice hotel. After dinner, a few of us went to some bars to grab drinks. The next morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed to our orientation destination. We covered many topics including the specifics of our program, what is expected of us as volunteers, cultural differences between our home countries and Spain, what safety precautions to consider when traveling, and so on. Overall, the orientation was very informative and well organized.
Afterward, we met with either a member of our host family or a school representative. We had lunch together and took the time to introduce ourselves a bit. It was very nice to meet everyone, and I honestly wish we had more time to spend together. Once everything was finished, we took a group photo and were soon on our ways to our respective towns in Castilla y Leon. Even though we had only known each other for less than a day, it felt like we were already such close friends. It's amazing how the orientation period brought us so close together in such a short amount of time, and I'm psyched to see how my fellow volunteers will impact the lives of their students! ☀️
Related Posts
Tutoring in Spain: Navigating Language
Tutoring in Spain was a vital part of my experience, from engaging host children with playful English lessons to helping adults improve their language skills through daily conversations. Seeking additional tutoring opportunities in the village enriched my time abroad and improved my Spanish. Navigating language barriers at school also became more manageable as I made an effort to practice Spanish, helping me feel more connected and integrated.
Adjusting to life with Host Siblings
Adjusting to life with my host siblings in Spain was a challenging yet rewarding experience. With an 8-year-old host sister and a 6-year-old host brother, the language barrier initially made things difficult. However, through playing games, watching movies, and spending time together, we built a genuine connection. Despite missing my sister back home, living with my host siblings became a cherished part of my journey.
Discovering Cuéllar: The Charm of My Spanish Village
Cuéllar, a charming village in Segovia, Spain, won me over with its small businesses, scenic walks, and tight-knit community. I loved the local bakeries, the beauty of the hills, and the relaxed pace of life. Living so close to a historic castle and experiencing daily village life was a refreshing change from the hustle of New York.