Today, we’re bringing you an insightful story from within the dothegap community. We recently had the opportunity to interview the niece of Sébastien, an employee at FAIN, a company that partners with dothegap to manage its international community, who recently completed a fascinating six-month internship in Madrid. This unique Spanish internship experience allowed her to not only gain professional insights but also deeply immerse herself in Spanish culture through a homestay with a local family. Let’s explore her journey…
Getting started: her arrival in spain
What motivated you to come and live in Spain for a few months?
“I had a professional opportunity because I needed to do a six-month internship. It gave me the chance to discover the working environment and, at the same time, experience life in Spain. It wasn’t something I had planned. I never imagined I would one day live in Spain. But when I found out I could do my internship in Madrid, I was absolutely thrilled.”
How was your first impression when you arrived at your host family’s home?
“I immediately felt very comfortable, everything was done to make me feel at home. Everyone was very kind and welcoming. I even got a tour of Madrid right away, which really helped me dive straight into the atmosphere.”
About her Daily Life
What is a typical day like for you with your Spanish family?
“In the morning, we all have breakfast together, then the children go to school and we head to the office. We come back home around 2 p.m. to have lunch together. After that, I have free time: sometimes we all go out to explore the city or try typical restaurants, and sometimes I go out on my own. In the evening, we all have dinner together around 10 p.m.”
What differences have you noticed between daily life in France and here?
“For me, the biggest difference is definitely the mealtimes. In France, we usually eat around noon or at the latest 1 p.m., but here the normal time is more like 2 p.m. or even later. Dinner is also quite late in the evening”
What has surprised you the most about living with a Spanish family?
“What surprised me the most was the friendliness and warmth. I found that we shared many moments together, like long, lively meals, and we really took the time to talk.”
Are there any habits or customs that you found especially interesting or different?
“I find it really beautiful how much culture is still a part of life for Spaniards, in their celebrations, traditional food, the importance of family, music, and dance.”
How has your relationship with your host family been? What do you appreciate most about them?
“My relationship with my host family was amazing. As I mentioned, I felt welcomed from the very beginning, and even though I’m naturally a bit shy, it didn’t take long for me to feel comfortable. What I appreciated the most was that I was always invited to family meals and work events. They never left me alone, and even for more private family occasions, they always offered to include me. Even with the girls who were a bit younger than me, we managed to build a real connection.”
Food & Language
What Spanish dishes have you loved? And which one was the hardest to try?
“I loved the tortilla. I think it’s amazing. I really enjoyed pan con tomate, and I like that it’s something you can have for breakfast. I also really appreciated gazpacho, especially in the heat because it’s so refreshing. I didn’t really find any dish particularly hard to try; everything was quite easy for me to taste.”
How has your Spanish improved during this time?
“My Spanish has definitely improved; I have expanded my vocabulary and I understand Spaniards better when they speak to me, unlike the first days when I was completely lost. However, I could have improved more because I often spoke English to get around the language barrier. But actually, you need to push yourself to speak Spanish and take your time rather than choosing the easy way out.”
What new words or expressions have you learned that you really like?
“I really like the fact that my fellow interns call each other ‘tía,’ which is funny and informal. I also like when they use affectionate nicknames like ‘guapa.'”
Lasting Impressions: The impact of my spanish internship experience
What will you miss most when you return to France?
“What I will miss the most are all the people I met: the other interns, my host family, the Spanish way of life, and even gazpacho in the summer. Simply the life I had here, because it was truly amazing.”
What advice would you give to other young people who want to live a similar experience?
“I would advise living the experience 100% and enjoying every moment. You have to dare to speak with people, because usually everyone makes an effort to understand each other. No one will make fun of you, so don’t be afraid of mispronouncing something or not being understood. The most important thing is to make the effort. You also have to understand that there will be some tougher days; it won’t be amazing every single day. There will inevitably be moments when you miss your loved ones, but usually it doesn’t last long. In this kind of experience, you always meet new people, discover new things, and learn a lot. You should fully enjoy these moments because they will shape you for life.”
How do you think this experience has changed the way you see the world?
“I have grown and evolved; I have become more confident, especially because I was given important tasks within the company. I also had the opportunity to speak with people who were older and more experienced, from whom I learned a lot. And speaking simply about being in another country and discovering a new culture, it definitely helped me better understand how other people live. It allows us to step outside our own perspective and broaden our view of the world.”
A Truly Enriching Experience
A huge thank you to Sébastien’s niece for sharing her inspiring Spanish internship experience with us! Her journey perfectly illustrates how each experience is truly unique, and this particular one has been an exceptional way for her to immerse herself in a new culture while gaining valuable professional skills. We hope her story encourages many more to explore similar international adventures!
