Connecting with Families Abroad

 

Welcome back to Maren's Abroadventures!

         This week, I wanted to discuss the importance of connecting with families abroad and to encourage study abroad travelers to reach out to as many locals as possible. 

          The picture above includes my host mom and dad, as well as my host sister Nerea. I studied abroad in Madrid when I was in fifth grade, about 12 years old. I stayed with my host family for a few months while attending the same school as my host sister. I had so much fun with them whether it was going out to eat, taking a trip, or figuring out my favorite items at the grocery store. Being able to come back to Spain at twenty-one years old and study abroad once again in a new city feels surreal. I have already taken the opportunity to visit and stay a few days with my host family, and their house looks almost the exact same. It feels like I was just living there yesterday.

       Whether you are living with a host family or visiting with a family abroad, take the time to really get to know them and embrace their traditions as much as possible. Being able to immerse yourself in their world and see the world with a new perspective will be life-changing in a way that is hard to put into words. Connecting with locals also helps you improve your Spanish and learn Castellano. 

         Having the opportunity to study abroad at a young age was highly beneficial for me; however, also being able to host an international student was just as impactful. This is my host sister Maria, who lived with my family for a couple of months when I was in the fourth grade, before going abroad myself. I was hesitant at first to open my family's home up to someone new, but it was well worth it. These are the kinds of connections that continue for life, and my host sister even became part of my family. We both had the chance to learn many new things and get outside of our comfort zones.  

I also wanted to share my friend's experience with their families through SAI:

Bella said,

         "Having the opportunity to connect with a family abroad while studying in Barcelona has been amazing. Coming here alone was very hard, but having a family here not only gives you a sense of comfort but also people you can go to when you need help. It also gives you a way to learn about the Catalan culture. I look forward to seeing them every week and spending time with their family and pets!"

Paris said, 

          "Meeting my host family has been a pivotal point in my study abroad experience and immersing myself in catalán culture. I have learned basic catalán phrases, how to communicate and integrate into a cross-cultural environment, and how unique life is here in Catalonia. This would not be possible without my loving host family and SAI for their help."

A word of advice: Stay in contact with the family and try to visit when possible.

See you later!