Theo (17) spent 3 weeks in San Sebastián in northern Spain during his summer holidays; the course is a combination of Spanish language and culture with additional surf or Basque cookery classes, perfect for a foodie! He loved the summer programme for teens (14-17) run by our fantastic local partner school and he sent over a comprehensive article all about his stay:
"I loved staying with my host family. They were so lovely, kind, and welcoming at all times. The apartment was in a very nice part of town and I had my own room with a very comfortable bed. I made an effort to eat whenever and whatever the family ate which was always delicious and fascinating. It was perfect for my immersion because it forced me to learn very quickly as they spoke very, very fast. The packed lunches were delicious and there was always enough to eat.
I was taught very well and learned a lot. My teacher would ask us at the beginning of the week what things we wanted to improve or learn and then she would plan the rest of the week accordingly. Everything in lessons was related to everyday Spanish that would help communication. However, I found my conversations with the many locals I met during my free time to be the most transformational because they proved that I was improving.
I really enjoyed the activities: every Monday we had a group activity where we spoke to locals which I loved. I had a great time in my cooking class; it was all taught in Spanish. We went around to different shops and markets collecting the ingredients we would be using and then walked to the school where we cooked the dishes. The day trips to the San Fermines Festival, Santa Clara, the water park and the adventure park were all well organised and we were all kept safe.
My favourite experience was when my host family took me for a meal at his Gastronomy Society. It was an incredible experience: I got to eat, a long delicious meal with the family, all cooked and prepared by the dad in the kitchen there, I got to see and ask how these societies function. He let me help in the kitchen which was awesome; I love to cook and seeing how these traditional dishes we ate were made was really interesting.
This trip made me very excited about travelling alone again in the future because it showed I can travel independently and confidently to a different country by myself, which I had never done before. Travelling all the way through France and into Spain on different trains and coaches showed me that the right planning is necessary for a journey with many changes but was also really exciting because you meet so many different people. Throughout my journey and experience, The Language Gap remained in constant contact with me to make sure things were going well and if I needed any help with anything. Emily made me feel confident and ready to travel abroad alone for the first time and made me feel excited for the experience when I got there."