Retirement gave Jane a gift many people wait a lifetime for: the freedom to choose exactly how she spends her days. She chose Spain, a Catalan village she had never seen, and a week of speaking nothing but Spanish.
I am Mónica, a host teacher with the Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) and the founder of Spanish Express. Alongside my teaching assistant, Lydia, I welcome learners into my family home in Dosrius and shape each day around the person in front of me.
What follows is the full story of Jane’s week with us, told from a host teacher’s point of view, from her warm arrival to her confident goodbye.
Meet Jane: A Curious, Active Learner From Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Jane is a recently retired American from Charlotte, North Carolina, who arrived ready to embrace something new. She had studied Spanish on and off for around eight years and reached a comfortable B1 level.
Her reasons were refreshingly simple. She wanted real conversational fluency, a firmer grip on her verb tenses, and a fun cultural experience in a fresh corner of Spain.
Active and endlessly curious, Jane loves gardening, art, reading, swimming, cycling and pickleball, which made our peaceful village the ideal base for her stay.
A Home, Not a Classroom
From the moment Jane arrived, my family made her feel part of the household rather than a guest. That warmth matters, because immersion works best when a learner feels safe enough to make mistakes.
We spoke Spanish all day, at breakfast, on walks, while cooking and during outings. Living inside a Spanish-speaking home meant Jane practised constantly, not just in lesson hours.
This is the heart of SHIP. She was not studying the language from a distance. She was living it, hour by hour.
Personalised Lessons Built Around Her Goals
Jane followed a learning plan shaped entirely around her B1 level and her wish for natural, everyday conversation. Lydia and I balanced structured practice with relaxed, real speaking time.
Because verb tenses were her priority, we focused there with care. We worked through past and future forms, smoothed out her tricky moments, and built her confidence to speak without pausing.
We also expanded her vocabulary around daily life, travel and the things she loves, so every new word had a real use the same day.
Excursions and Experiences
Can Pedragosa: A Taste of the Catalan Countryside
We began close to home at Can Pedragosa, a charming spot that introduced Jane to the rhythm of rural Catalonia. Surrounded by greenery, it was the perfect gentle start.
Jane ordered, chatted and asked questions entirely in Spanish. For a keen gardener, the natural setting felt especially welcoming and gave us plenty to talk about.
Casa Batlló: Modernism in the Heart of Barcelona
No visit to the region is complete without Barcelona, and Casa Batlló gave Jane a true highlight. This iconic landmark, with its flowing shapes and colour, left her genuinely amazed.
As we explored, Jane practised describing what she saw and discussing the building’s history, turning a famous sight into a living Spanish lesson.
Mataró: The Coast and Everyday Life
In the lively coastal town of Mataró, with its port, beach and busy centre, Jane stepped into everyday Spanish life. Cafés, shops and friendly faces became her classroom.
Ordering a coffee and chatting with locals showed her just how much progress she had already made in only a few days.
Sant Jordi: A Beloved Catalan Tradition
Jane was lucky to experience Sant Jordi, Catalonia’s cherished day of roses and books. The streets fill with colour, stalls and a warm, shared joy that is impossible to forget.
Walking through it all, Jane learned the legend behind the day and practised her Spanish in one of the region’s most special cultural moments.
Tarragona and Torredembarra: Roman History by the Sea
Our trip to Tarragona carried Jane back two thousand years, among Roman ruins overlooking the Mediterranean. Nearby Torredembarra added a relaxed, seaside contrast.
History, sea air and conversation came together beautifully here. Jane described the ancient sites, asked questions and soaked up a different side of Catalonia. We spent the day with Ramo, another host teacher of Spanish Express and host teacher in Tarragona.
Argentona, Dosrius and Llinars: Village Life Up Close
We also explored the welcoming towns around our home, including Argentona with its fountains and old streets, our own Dosrius, and nearby Llinars.
These quieter outings with Lydia were ideal for unhurried conversation. Markets, plazas and everyday errands gave Jane endless natural chances to use her Spanish.
Daily Life in Dosrius
Each day began with a relaxed breakfast and easy Spanish conversation. Mornings were for focused learning, often around the table, sometimes on a countryside walk.
Afternoons opened up for excursions, village strolls or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings while keeping the language flowing the whole time.
Evenings were warm and unhurried, with shared meals, golden retriever company and plenty of listening and speaking practice in a genuine family setting.
Real Progress in One Week
By the end of her stay, Jane spoke with noticeably more confidence and fluency. Her verb tenses, the very thing she came to improve, felt far more natural.
More than that, she had a fun cultural experience, discovered a new area of Spain and proved to herself how much she could achieve in a single week.
She left as part of the family, already talking about what her next adventure in Spain might be.
Why a Spanish Homestay Works So Well
A homestay offers something a traditional classroom cannot: total immersion in both language and daily life. Every meal, walk and outing becomes a real chance to learn.
For Jane, that meant constant practice with native speakers, personalised attention, and a supportive home where progress felt natural rather than forced.
This is why so many learners describe SHIP as life-changing. You do not just study Spanish. You live it.
Past Visitors’ Stories
Jane’s week is just one of many journeys our host teachers share across Spain. We welcome learners of every age, background and goal into our homes.
If you would like to read more real stories from students who have lived and studied Spanish with us, our diary blogs follow each journey from arrival to departure.
You could become the protagonist of our next story.
You can explore more real immersion experiences here:
👉 SHIP Stories of Our Previous Students
Get in Touch
To learn more about our Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) and plan your own week in Spain, reach out to our founder, director and host teacher in Menorca, Mónica Romero.
Phone / WhatsApp: +44 7903 867 894
Email: monicaromero@spanishexpress.co.uk
