Living with a Spanish Host Family, by Sarah Hamlin

 When I was getting ready to come so Sevilla, I was often asked if I was nervous or scared to go abroad, and if so, what I was most nervous about. The only thing that really gave me any nerves at all while preparing for my semester abroad was the fact that I would be living with a host family from Sevilla (that happens to speak no English at all!). Looking back, it is crazy to remember how nervous I was because living with a host family is, in my opinion, one of the best parts of this study abroad experience. From learning the Spanish language to learning the Spanish culture, my host family has taught me so much.

When I first moved into my host family house, I had not taken a Spanish class since Sophomore year of high school. Though I had taken Spanish for five years before this, I had lost a lot of my vocabulary and could not remember any tenses except for present. My first conversation with my host mom was mostly me nodding and smiling and understanding every other word she said. Though this was a struggle for a little while before my Spanish classes started, I got by with my rusty high school Spanish and my best friend at the time (Google Translate!). As the semester has progressed, I started to use Spanish more and more, speaking with my host mom and her family, learning Spanish in class, and interacting with people in the community. Living and breathing Spanish almost 24/7 has improved my knowledge and fluency of the language immensely.

In addition to learning the Spanish language, I also got to experience first-hand what it is like to live as an Andalusian in Sevilla. Everyday for every meal I get a piping hot Spanish meal straight from the kitchen made especially for me and my flat mates by my host mom (she even made us birthday cakes!). Some of my favorite dishes and conversations happened during these meals, sometimes lasting over an hour just because we have so much to talk about. Some of my favorite Spanish dishes that I have had while in Sevilla were made by my host mom and I would not have been able to experience this without the opportunity to live with a host family.

To conclude, living with a host family enhances the study abroad experience and your immersion into the culture so much more than if you were to live in a dorm or an apartment on your own. Personally, I love my host family and if I could go back and choose my living situation for the semester, I would choose my host family every time. If you ever study abroad, take a step out of your comfort zone and live with a host family, you will not regret it! (and if you’re lucky like me you might even have a host-puppy!)

(Solomillo al Whiskey {Pork Loin and Whiskey Sauce, a common tapa in Spain}

 made by my host mom)