From nervously stepping off the bus to meet a host family for the first time to savoring unhurried afternoon meals and time spent connecting with host families, Proctor students in Segovia are discovering that living abroad in Spain means more than just learning a language. In this post, Colter and Sanders explore what they have learned about daily life with Spanish families and the power of approaching the unfamiliar with an open mind. Read reflections from Colter '27 and Sanders '27 below!
Colter ’27
What is it like to live with a host family?
Living with a host family is an experience like no other. When I first learned about the program, one of the first things that came to mind was what it was like to live with a host family. At that moment, I had no idea what was going to happen. I thought about this topic for quite some time. I spoke to my parents about not only living with a host family but also about living abroad in general. The aspect that I found most challenging was the language barrier. Yet my dad told me to talk to people who have lived abroad. I spoke with many, some of whom have lived in Spain, Italy, and France. All lived with host families. They all said one thing that stuck out to me: keep an open mind.
After they told me this, I was no longer nervous but excited to go abroad. The day came for me to head to Spain. I arrived at the airport, said goodbye to my parents, and we were on our way. We arrived at the old train station in Segovia and got off to meet our new families. I walked off the bus and saw Lujan. After talking for a little bit, we went to her house. I got settled into my new room and had breakfast with her. I had a few moments where I couldn’t understand or speak to her in Spanish. The feeling was unlike any other, yet I thought back to the importance of keeping an open mind. I approached everything with that mindset, which helped a ton in the first few days of the program. Every day, I gradually found that talking, even if it wasn’t perfect, helped my Spanish a lot. Plus, Lujan enjoyed me trying to speak more and more.
Even though there was a language barrier, Lujan was amazing in trying to help me understand what she was saying. Using hand signals and slowing down phrases so that I would appreciate them. All the nerves of living with a host family settled as I found that Lujan was one of the most caring and helpful people I have ever met. Now that I have been living with Lujan for almost five weeks, my experience in Spain has become significantly better. One of my favorite memories so far has been talking to Lujan. I have enjoyed practicing the things I have learned in Spanish with her.
I look forward to lunch with her every day. She has truly made my time here so much richer.
If you are reading this and thinking about going on the Proctor en Segovia Program, do not stress out about your host family. They are all fantastic and caring. Don’t let anything stop you from joining this program. It offers great opportunities for growth. The advice that helped me can also help you. Be brave and keep an open mind to anything that comes your way.
Sanders ’27
What's a cultural norm in Spain that you find surprising that you've come to appreciate?
Before coming to Spain, I didn’t realize how sacred the mealtimes are, especially lunch. At first, I was surprised by how long everything stopped in the middle of the day. There are shops that will be closed for hours, quiet streets, and people disappearing into their homes or restaurants for hours. Coming from a culture in America where lunch usually means eating fast while trying to multitask, I really couldn't understand how everything is just paused during the lunch hours. To me, it felt strange and almost lazy to take so much to eat.
Over the four weeks that I have been here, I have turned this surprise into an appreciation. I started to notice that these long meals weren’t only about eating, they were more about connecting. Lunch in Spain is a time to sit, talk, laugh, and enjoy each other's presence. There is no rush to check phones or move to the next thing. The first time that I sat with my host family for an hour lunch, I felt awkward at first and not so sure about what to say or do with that much time, as my Spanish was very limited. I began to understand that the purpose of lunch was not wasted time but shared time. This culture has taught me a lot about priorities. In Spain, relationships seem to come with routines. People value being together rather than being productive. It made me realize how in America, we treat eating as something to get over with rather than something to enjoy.
What was your biggest misconception about Spain or Spanish culture before arriving? How has your perspective changed since being in Segovia?
Before arriving in Spain, my biggest misconception was that Spanish culture was fast-paced and loud all the time, with dancers, bullfights, and crowded plazas, as I had seen in movies and advertisements. I thought life here would constantly feel like a festival, filled with noise, energy, and craziness. I thought people would be rushing from point A to point B, talking fast and dramatically, but once I settled into Segovia, I realized how far off my imagination was.
Segovia has shown me that Spanish culture values a different vibe of slowing down, soaking in every second, and being in the present. Life here feels less about speed and more about the intention. When I walk on the street to school, sometimes I see people getting coffee who would be there for an hour and not five minutes. Even though meals are different, the lunches with my host family and friends are always longer because we are never interrupted by a schedule. I remember sitting in Plaza Mayor on one of the first days and soaking up every sound I could hear for fifteen minutes. Instead of rushing, I found myself pulled into a calmer and more meaningful way of living.
In the end, my misconception about Spain has turned into a lesson I want to carry with me forward at Proctor. Segovia has already taught me that slowing down isn’t being lazy, but rather it's being in the moment. Being in the moment is what makes life meaningful to me. My perspective has shifted from seeing slowness as a weakness to seeing it as a strength.
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