Choosing where and how to learn a language can shape not only fluency, but also confidence, friendships, and future goals. For Elijah, a 22-year-old American student with an academic background in finance, the Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) became much more than a language course. Over the summer of 2025, Elijah experienced two unique destinations, Cádiz and Valencia (Gilet), each contributing in a different but complementary way to his journey toward studying and living in Spain.
This blog shares the story of how Elijah spent his weeks with SHIP, combining academic focus, cultural immersion, sports, and unforgettable human connections.
Destination One: Cádiz (Puerto Real)
Teacher: Óscar
Student: Elijah
Nationality: American
Age: 22
Month: July
Objective: Learning Spanish for university
Getting to Know Elijah
Elijah arrived in Puerto Real with a clear objective: to prepare himself linguistically and mentally for future studies at a Spanish university. As a finance student, he was already accustomed to structured thinking and analytical conversations. Outside the classroom, Elijah is passionate about pickleball and is known for his love of deep, philosophical conversations, especially when they happen barefoot on the beach at sunset.
His motivation for choosing SHIP was simple but powerful: he wanted to live the language, not just study it. Cádiz, with its relaxed coastal rhythm and strong local identity, offered the perfect environment to do just that.
Academic Background and Spanish Level
Elijah’s academic focus on finance strongly influenced the structure of his learning in Cádiz. His Spanish level allowed him to communicate, but his goal was to significantly expand his vocabulary and feel confident discussing complex topics related to university life, economics, and society.
Classes with Óscar were designed around thematic vocabulary. Each topic introduced new lexical fields, which were immediately put into practice through guided and spontaneous conversations. These sessions often evolved into long discussions where Elijah actively used newly learned words, reinforcing them through real communication rather than memorization.
Beach Conversations and Daily Life
Life in Cádiz unfolded as a blend of learning, culture, and connection.
Many afternoons were spent near the sea, where lessons naturally transformed into philosophical discussions about life, culture, and future plans. These relaxed settings helped Elijah lower his filter when speaking Spanish, increasing both fluency and confidence. The beach became an open-air classroom where vocabulary came alive.
Sports and Pickleball
Elijah continued practicing pickleball during his stay, sharing his passion with those around him. Sports became another linguistic bridge, allowing him to learn informal expressions, action-based vocabulary, and conversational Spanish tied to teamwork and movement.
Homestay Experience
Living with a local family gave Elijah daily exposure to natural Spanish. Mealtimes, casual chats, and shared routines strengthened his listening skills and introduced him to authentic Andalusian expressions.
Creative Moments
One particularly special aspect of Elijah’s stay was his creative side. He made several beautiful videos featuring his teacher Óscar and his mother, moments filled with warmth, humor, and genuine connection. These videos captured not just memories, but also the emotional side of immersion and belonging.
By the end of his time in Cádiz, Elijah had noticeably expanded his vocabulary, improved his conversational flow, and gained a clearer vision of himself as a future university student in Spain.
Destination Two: Valencia (Gilet)
Teacher: Pilar
Student: Elijah
Nationality: American
Age: 22
Month: July–August
Objective: Learning Spanish for fluency and reaching the B2 level for University
A Deeper Commitment to Immersion
In Valencia, Elijah took his immersion to the next level. From day one, he made a personal commitment to speak only Spanish throughout his entire stay, no English, no shortcuts. This decision reflected his discipline, motivation, and long-term vision of passing the SIELE exam at the B2 level and eventually settling in Spain.
Elijah’s interests extend far beyond language. He is deeply engaged in fitness and bodybuilding, cryptocurrency and stock investing, psychology, personal development, and teaching. He also enjoys competitive gaming, modern films, and snowboarding, a sport he has practiced and taught for years. All of these interests were thoughtfully integrated into his learning process.
Academic Progress and Class Structure
Elijah’s classes in Valencia were structured, intensive, and highly personalized.
Vocabulary Development Through Cryptocurrencies
Building on his finance background, Elijah worked on a comprehensive document titled “Cryptocurrencies,” divided into eight thematic units. Topics included definitions, investment strategies, market risks, and reliable digital assets. This approach expanded his technical vocabulary, improved written expression, and allowed him to discuss complex financial concepts confidently in Spanish.
Pronunciation and the /z/ Phoneme
Targeted pronunciation exercises focused on the /z/ sound, combining familiar and new vocabulary. Creative tasks, such as inventing short stories, helped Elijah improve articulation while encouraging linguistic creativity.
Grammar and Verb Tenses
Classes also reinforced past, future, and conditional tenses, while introducing and practicing the subjunctive in context. This work significantly improved his grammatical accuracy and ability to express nuanced ideas.
Overall, Elijah demonstrated consistency, discipline, and a strong balance between oral, written, and phonetic practice.
Cultural and Social Experiences
Night Visit to Valencia’s Old Town
Elijah explored Valencia’s historic center at night with Max, the host teacher’s son, and his friends. Sharing dinner in the old town exposed him to spontaneous, youth-driven conversations in Spanish, strengthening real-world communication skills while enjoying the city’s vibrant summer atmosphere.
Breakfasts with the Host Family
Daily breakfasts became small but powerful immersion moments. Casual conversations helped Elijah master colloquial expressions and improve listening comprehension in a natural family setting.
Pickleball Training and Tournament
Staying true to his passion, Elijah trained daily at the Pickleball Club in Bétera and competed in a tournament in Elche. Communicating exclusively in Spanish during training and competition expanded his sports-related vocabulary and social confidence.
Recreational and Social Activities
From pool time with friends to shared paellas with family, neighbors, and children, Elijah experienced Spanish life as it is truly lived. These relaxed social moments reinforced fluency and helped Spanish feel natural rather than academic.
A Summer That Shaped the Future
Elijah’s SHIP experience across Cádiz and Valencia shows what is possible when motivation meets full immersion. Through personalized academics, cultural exploration, sports, creativity, and meaningful relationships, he transformed Spanish from a subject into a lived experience.
More than improved grammar or expanded vocabulary, Elijah gained confidence, clarity, and a deep sense of belonging. His journey is a perfect example of how SHIP helps students not only learn Spanish but live it, dream it, and carry it into their future.
Ready to Live Spanish, Not Just Study It?
Elijah’s week in Cádiz shows what true language learning looks like when it is lived, not just studied. Real progress comes from daily conversation, shared meals, and cultural connection inside your teacher’s home.
That is exactly what our Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) offers.
With SHIP, you live with your native Spanish teacher, practise Spanish all day in real situations, and follow personalised one-to-one lessons adapted to your goals, whether for university, professional life, or confident everyday communication.
Many solo travelers, university students, and adult learners have chosen SHIP to move beyond classrooms and experience Spanish as a living language, just as Elijah did.
👉 Business & Professional SHIP Stories
For personalised guidance and programme details, you can contact our founder directly:
Mónica Romero
Founder and Director, Spanish Express
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +44 7903 867 894
📧 Email: monicaromero@spanishexpress.co.uk
