Track 7

Track 7.

Part 2.

Where did you stay on your summer cultural exchange program?

I stayed with a host family in a small village just outside the city of Seville.

Most people in the city live in apartments, but my host family lived in a big house.

The family had a daughter who was my age called Carmen, so we had lots of fun together.

We also visited Carmen’s grandparents who live on a farm in the countryside.

As I love animals, it was a really good experience for me.

How wonderful!

How long are exchange programs usually?

Well, most of the language exchange programs last for two weeks but the sports and music exchange programs last for four weeks.

If you go on a language exchange program in August, you can go for three weeks because it’s the school holidays.

I went on a language exchange to Spain in July, so I could only stay for two weeks, unfortunately.

Who can take part in the program?

Well, there are some age requirements for the program.

You must be over the age of fourteen to take part in the language exchange program and sixteen for the sports and music exchange program.

If you want to take part in the sports and music exchange program, you have to be on a school sports team or play in the school orchestra.

You can only take part in the language exchange program if you study French or Spanish.

I see, so would you recommend this program to other students?

Yes, definitely.

I had a great time staying with Carmen and her family.

I felt a bit homesick when I first arrived, but they were so friendly and welcoming.

Carmen spoke really good English, so I was worried that I wouldn’t improve my Spanish, but I always tried to speak Spanish with her parents.

My language skills have improved a little bit, but I think that it’s better to stay for three weeks because you have more time to practice the language.

The whole program sounds really interesting, Anna, thank you for telling us about it.