Student Takeover: A Day with Our Incredible Host Mom

One of our student Adeline had an amazing Host Family Day. She was so thrilled about it, she wanted to share her story with others!

In Spain, family and quality time with loved ones is extremely valued, from simply sitting in the large living room together, or enjoying a meal with one another, family is extremely important. Living in Spain alone without my parents is an amazing experience, as it has taught me independence, but there is no doubt that I am homesick. However, having an amazing host mom (and amazing roommates) has made the experience so much more unique and has cleared almost all my homesickness. Amparo Sanchez is the host mom of my roommates (Sophia and Lea) and I. She is an incredible woman and has been so fun to hang out with, that is why this host family day was a day I will never forget. Host family day began extremely well with Sophia, Lea and I sleeping in until 11, and waking up to the sound of singing in the kitchen. We ate our breakfast and had a nice time relaxing before heading to a restaurant. However this restaurant was not your typical In-and-out burger, it was one of Amparos favorite restaurants that specialized in a Spanish dish called Paella. We all sat down at a very nice table and began to talk with Amparo. Within minutes a man came over with the most beautiful Paella I have ever seen in my life, full of jumbo shrimp, crab, octopus, clams, mussels, and so much more amazing seafood, not only was it so artfully decorated with this seafood, but it tasted amazing. Afterward we took a taxi back to the apartment and had a much needed siesta, as all four of us were stuffed to the brim. After a good siesta we all got up and got into our dresses, and walked over to Can Joan s’Aigo, one of the first ice cream salons in the world, which started in 1777. We all ate our ice cream, and might I say, as a professional lactose intolerant and a nonprofessional ice cream critic, this was the best icecream I have ever had. Host family day was full of laughter, good company, and most importantly good food. Just kidding. Yes, the food was undoubtedly amazing, but the ability to fully enjoy Mallorcan culture and spend time with amazing and interesting people was truly the most amazing part of the day, and I will remember this day forever. (and not just because of the ice cream).