The Spanish Exchange

Having been on the Spanish exchange 3 times I can honestly say it is the best contraption for learning a language that anyone could ever give you. There is no better way of learning a language than to go into the country of its origin and practise what you’ve learnt. The Spanish school with which Bishop Heber has twinned up with to let the exchange commence is deep in the heart of Spain, making sure that all tourist resorts are far away and all that is left behind is traditional Spanish country. Valdepeñas is the name of the town that the school is situated in. It’s the only place that I’ve ever visited in Spain but then again, it is the only place in Spain I’d ever want to visit. From the narrow little streets right up to the fantastic church in the middle of the town, I can honestly say that you’d never want to leave. The more I visit the quaint little town, the more I fall in love with it.

In the 3 times I have visited Valdepeñas, I have stayed with two Spanish girls. For the first two visits I made, I stayed with a girl called Azahara. Although very nice and polite, we had nothing in common and she spoke absolutely no English, which, as you can imagine, is very difficult, when it is your first exchange.

I can honestly say I have no idea how I managed because looking back, my Spanish was absolutely abysmal and I probably made less sense than she spoke English! Her family were all very nice but I feel that unless you can get close to your exchange partner, you always feel you’ve missed out on something. I knew this as one year I didn’t go on the Spanish exchange but I had a girl come to stay with me. Her name was Luisa and she was the most incredibly kind person I have ever met! We had so much in common, and my family adored her. I knew I’d really missed out on something with Azahara then because the ability to joke, laugh and hug with your exchange person is such a special thing. It breaks the barrier between your two cultures. On my most recent exchange I stayed with a girl called Blanca. She was lovely too and we got on really well. Her family were really nice to me and corrected me when I got my Spanish wrong which I think is very important as if people don’t tell you your mistakes, you don’t know when you’ve made them.

The thing I love the most about Valdepeñas is the people. I’ve never been anywhere in the world where the people are so friendly. The shopkeepers and waiters / waitresses are so willing to help you with what you require, and if you get lost people are always willing to help you find your way again. Every time I have been to Spain I have always gone to the same café with my friends. The waiter is called Jesus and I can officially say that we’re now good friends! I promised him I’d go back next year to see him too!

I’ve visited many places during my stays in Valdepeñas including Ciudad Real, Toledo and Granada that are all very beautiful and the people are just as nice as they are in Valdepeñas. Going out shopping or visiting places in Spain gave me an enormous sense of independence as I know I have to work things out for myself without the help of my Spanish teacher. There will be many challenges out there for you in the exchange, from reading a menu in Spanish (reminding me of an incident with a tiger prawn I’d prefer not to disclose) to asking the way to the town centre. The Spanish exchange is an amazing experience for all and sundry and I’d highly recommend it to everyone whether you’re serious about studying Spanish or if you simply fancy a challenge. The Spanish exchange is for everyone who thinks they can hack it. I have been on the exchange three times now and I’ve loved every second of it. So, calling all Spanish linguists,

¿Quieres visitar Valdepeñas?

Liz Barr - Bishop Heber High School. November 2002

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