Simon’s Spanish Homestay Immersion in Gilet, Valencia: Learning a Language for a New Life Abroad

February 7, 2026Naila GulzarSpanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP), Spanish Immersion for Adults, Visit Valencia

Some people learn Spanish for a holiday. Simon learned it for a future, a move to Costa Rica and a job that would change the direction of his life.

I am Pilar, a host teacher with the Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) in Valencia, in the peaceful town of Gilet. I open my home to learners and build every lesson around their real-world goals, not a fixed syllabus.

This is the story of Simon’s week with me, told from the host teacher’s side of the table, from his Sunday arrival to an early Saturday flight home.

Meet Simon: A Learner With a Professional Mission

Simon arrived for a one-week SHIP stay with a clear and ambitious purpose. He was preparing to apply for a role with a non-governmental organization in Costa Rica.

That goal shaped everything. He needed practical, professional Spanish, the kind that holds up in a real interview, not just textbook phrases.

Motivated and focused, he came ready to work hard and use the language from the very first day. That mindset made our week together a genuine pleasure.

A Home Where Spanish Becomes Daily Life

The heart of SHIP is simple: the language lives in the house. Over breakfast, during errands, and across long meals, Spanish was always present and always natural.

For Simon, every ordinary moment became a chance to practise. Describing his surroundings, expressing preferences, and chatting casually all built his confidence steadily.

He even shared experiences with Ronald, a fellow student from the United Kingdom, which gave him relaxed, real conversation he could never get from a worksheet.

Building a Strong Grammatical Foundation

Each morning we worked through a Spanish verb workbook, the backbone of Simon’s progress. We began with the present tense, covering both regular and irregular verbs.

From there we moved into reflexive verbs and the tricky “gustar” type, which reshape how learners express likes and dislikes. These reinforced his everyday accuracy.

Later in the week we tackled the past, the present perfect and the past simple, so Simon could narrate his experiences clearly and with confidence.

Preparing the CV and Motivation Letter

A standout part of Simon’s week was reviewing his CV and motivation letter in Spanish. This work tied directly to his application in Costa Rica.

We refined his formal language, the vocabulary and tone that a professional document demands. It was practical Spanish with a real purpose behind every line.

By the end, he had documents he could submit with confidence and the language skills to discuss them in an interview.

Idiomatic Expressions for Natural Speech

To push Simon beyond textbook Spanish, we explored idiomatic expressions, the colourful phrases native speakers use without thinking.

We grouped them by theme: idioms about animals, about the weather, and about parts of the body. Each one added flavour and authenticity to his speech.

This work made his Spanish feel more natural and gave him a deeper window into the culture behind the language.

Breakfast With Esmeralda and Eduardo

One warm morning, Simon shared breakfast with Esmeralda and Eduardo, a relaxed and social start to the day.

The table became a conversation classroom, full of local expressions, easy chat, and the kind of spontaneous Spanish that builds real fluency.

It was an informal, friendly setting where Simon could simply talk, listen, and enjoy connecting with people in their own language.

Discovering Port Saplaya

Simon explored the colourful marina of Port Saplaya, with its charming canals and brightly painted buildings, alongside his fellow student Ronald.

Over tea with sweeping sea views, he practised describing his surroundings and expressing his preferences in a calm, happy setting.

The vivid colours and gentle sea created a lighthearted atmosphere that made the Spanish flow easily and the afternoon unforgettable.

A Walk Through the Historic Centre

Simon toured the heart of Valencia with Ronald and me, visiting La Torre del Miguelete, the Plaza de la Virgen, and the Plaza Redonda.

A special stop at Santa Catalina let him taste traditional horchata, a true Valencian classic and a delicious cultural highlight.

Wandering the narrow streets, asking for directions, and describing what we saw turned the whole city into a living, breathing lesson.

Fitness in the Sierra Calderona

Simon kept active by running through the small mountains and rolling hills of the Sierra Calderona, where the views were truly breathtaking.

As he ran, he described the landscapes and routes to me, turning exercise into another chance to practise Spanish in motion.

It was a refreshing reminder that immersion happens everywhere, even on a hillside trail far from any classroom.

Family Time and Meals With Claire and Héctor

Simon’s wife and daughters travelled to Spain too, staying in a beachfront apartment in Puzol. His free afternoons became precious family time.

He also enjoyed relaxed meals with Claire and Héctor, an informal setting perfect for picking up local expressions and easy conversation.

These warm moments balanced the hard work and reminded him that learning Spanish can be joyful and deeply human.

A Bike Tour Through Valencia

One of the most dynamic days was a scenic bike tour from the historic centre, through the green Turia Gardens, to the City of Arts and Sciences.

While cycling, Simon asked for directions, commented on landmarks, and described his experiences, all in Spanish and all in motion.

The mix of sightseeing and fresh air made learning feel effortless and gave him a memory of Valencia he will carry home.

A Sweet Stop at the Chocolate Club

A final treat was a visit to the Chocolate Club, where Simon dived into Valencia’s culinary culture.

Sampling different chocolate creations sparked playful conversation and gave him plenty of descriptive vocabulary to put into practice.

This sweet, fun experience added a memorable finishing touch to a week packed with real-world Spanish.

Simon’s Progress by the End of the Week

By Saturday, Simon left with far more than completed exercises. He had a polished CV and motivation letter ready for his Costa Rica application.

His grammar was stronger, his vocabulary richer, and his confidence transformed. He could narrate the past, express preferences, and handle real conversation.

Most importantly, he left prepared for a Spanish-language interview and one step closer to the new life waiting for him abroad.

Ready to Begin Your Own SHIP Journey in Valencia?

Simon’s week in Gilet shows what happens when you stop only studying Spanish and start living it, surrounded by real conversations, real culture, and real purpose. Your own story could be next.

Our host teachers welcome students of every age, level, and goal into their homes across Spain. Our diary blogs share the full journeys of our past visitors, from arrival to departure.

To learn more about our Spanish Homestay Immersion Program (SHIP) and plan your own adventure, reach out to our founder, director, and host teacher in Menorca, Mónica Romero.