LEARN SPANISH BY BEING A GUEST
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LEARN SPANISH
Today we want to leave a post in English that Jessica has written. A young English woman who came to Cáceres months ago and she has wanted to tell us her experience as a guest at home of a great host family, del Corral Mirasierra.
These are the experiences that we look for the members of our community MyHOSTpitality.com.
Belén is a teacher at the school where I worked and she not only met me at the station, but brought three friends with her too! I was overwhelmed to see FOUR women rushing towards me to welcome me to Cáceres. After the initial meeting (and once I had worked out which one was Belén!) I was told that the school had rented a room in a shared flat for me, but that if I wanted I could spend the weekend with Belén and her family. Since I knew no-one, I jumped at the chance.
A NEW EXPERIENCE
Jessica with Jesús and Luis
Little did I know that a weekend with the family meant the extended family! The very same day I met Belén’s husband Emiliano, children (Jesús and Luis), parents, all her in-laws, and a couple of friends. What’s more, I had the genuine ‘campo’ experience from the very beginning – eating (lots of) traditional food cooked by grandma and relaxing in the country. I couldn’t imagine a better first weekend.
Once my new routine was established I remained close to the family and, although I had the flat, opted to spend weekends with Belén and the family. I would spend about 2 hours doing English with her boys every weekend, and I also started speaking to them in English most of the time, allowing them to answer in Spanish. I joined them all for days out – we went to interesting local villages or set off on walks – and I even accompanied them on a camping trip where I met more of their friends. When spring came around I went to their apartment at the beach with them.
Belén doesn’t speak English, so by practising with her and my colleagues at school I learn Spanish quite quickly. And I’m still learning! The boys pick up English by listening to me and I learn Spanish with the adults – everyone benefits.
Eighteen months later, I’m still in Cáceres. I had originally planned just to spend a year here, but after being treated like a daughter and enjoying the experience so much, I decided to stay. By the end of the first academic year I was referring to Belén as my Spanish mum! When my real family came to visit they stayed with my Spanish family and finally met each other. I recently went to my Spanish brothers´ communion and I am looking forward to my Spanish family’s trip to England this summer.
Jessica with Jesús and Luis
Live your own experience with MyHOSTpitality !!
