Olé, Olé, Olé! Spain is culturally rich and the perfect place if you like sunny beaches, tapas and siestas. It is now the fifth largest producer of wind power and has more Michelin star restaurant than any other country. But Spanish culture is much more than just flamenco and fiesta.

By understanding more about our Spanish exchange students’ lives back home, it will help you gain insight into their culture and background and prepare you for a successful hosting experience. Let’s start by learning about what’s typical in Spanish communication, home life, education and food, as described by our program participants.

Communication style

Spanish teens are very casual in their communication style and can be known to swear, use slang or speak frankly. They often joke openly with adults, as if they were their peers. In Spain, American music, movies and television are usually dubbed into Spanish. Therefore, Spanish students may not be exposed to as much English as students from other countries. In general, Spanish teens take statements and requests literally, and they respond best to direct feedback and active directions.

Tip From EF: Give your student space to speak directly, and make sure you have open and honest conversations about communication expectations in the home. It would be helpful to explain American norms for expressing concerns and appreciation. Share expectations clearly and directly with them to ensure that they are understood.

Food habits

In Spain, meal times are very important and are often shared with many friends and family. Students and parents typically return home at meal times to eat together. Meal times in Spain vary greatly from the US. Lunch is usually at 2 or 3 pm and dinner is usually at 9 pm or later. Meals can last for several hours. Pork, ham, beef, cheese, potatoes, eggs, peppers, olives, fish, calamari, cold salads and fried dishes are most common in Spain. Fresh food is more common than frozen food or leftovers. Families also eat out often, but rarely eat fast food.

Tip From EF: Your student may need time to get used to the difference in meal times. Be clear about what time you will be eating meals and provide options for appropriate snacks as they get comfortable with the new schedule. Encouraging them to help with grocery shopping and meal preparation will also help them adjust.

Home life

Spaniards are known for being very open and kind and typically grow up with a tight knit circle of friends and family. Forming relationships and becoming close to new people may be a huge adjustment. Spanish teens, while given a lot of freedom, are not given a lot of responsibility. They usually do not have to work or do chores. They are not responsible for things such as academic enrollment paperwork or applications. It is common for Spanish families at every socioeconomic level to have a house cleaner. Spanish teens typically do not do their own laundry. Spaniards tend to spend a lot of time outside of the home, unless they are having a family meal. This includes taking long walks, shopping, going to the movies, spending time at parks, playing sports or taking trips. Spanish teens are given a lot of freedom by their parents. They are often able to come and go from their homes, stay out late and travel on their own as they wish.

Tip From EF: Sit down with your student at the beginning of the exchange and go over all rules, schedules and expectations. Be sure to cover simple things such as transportation, the importance of checking in with you and their curfew. You may need to teach them how you prefer to do things around the house so they feel more comfortable. Talk openly about a chore schedule and how they can help.