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Living in a homestay means you are part of a Spanish-speaking household. It's a unique opportunity to experience daily life in Barcelona while practicing your language skills in a natural, immersive environment.
Living in a homestay means you are part of a Spanish-speaking household. It's a unique opportunity to experience daily life in Barcelona while practicing your language skills in a natural, immersive environment.
Still wonder how living in a homestay looks like?
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!
Homestay Video.mp4What to expect?
Good communication is essential. If you have any dietary restrictions, scheduling issues, or feel unwell, let your host know as soon as possible. Hosts are accustomed to hosting students and will do their best to support you, but they can’t help if they don’t know there’s an issue.
We encourage you to engage with your host family — even short daily interactions can make your stay feel more like home.
In some cases, you may be sharing the homestay with another international student. If so, we encourage you to be mindful of shared spaces and respectful of each other’s privacy and habits.
What is included?
Shared Spaces: You’ll have a signle or double room but share common areas such as the bathroom, living room, and kitchen.
Meals Included: Your host will provide breakfast and dinner each day. Breakfasts in Spain tend to be light (toast, fruit, coffee), while dinner is typically served later in the evening (around 8:00–9:30 p.m.) and may be smaller in portion compared to American standards.
Sheets and Towels: Your host will provide you with sheets and towels, so no need to bring them from home!
Laundry: Hosts offer laundry service once a week. We recommend discussing a regular day and clarifying any preferences early on.
House Rules: Each home may have specific guidelines — from curfews and visitor policies to kitchen use and quiet hours. Be sure to ask and respect these expectations.
NAVIGATING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
We’re (Lovingly) Loud
Spaniards tend to be expressive, talkative, and yes, loud! Conversations can get animated, people talk with their hands, and emotion is part of daily life. It’s not unusual to hear neighbors talking across balconies or for dinner to involve spirited chats. That said...
Quiet Hours Exist
Despite our naturally loud nature, after 11 PM most households and apartment buildings in Barcelona try to keep things quiet out of respect for neighbors. So while dinner might happen late, loud music or calls past midnight are generally avoided.
Meals Are a Big Deal
Mealtimes are more than just eating, they're moments to connect. Expect dinner around 9 PM and a relaxed pace at the table. It’s common to say “¡Que aproveche!” before starting, and don’t be surprised if meals turn into conversations that last long after the food is gone.
Small Habits, Big Meaning
Lights off when you leave a room, opening windows for air instead of using A/C, and unplugging chargers. These are small daily things that many families do without thinking. It's not strict, just part of being mindful of energy use.
Snacks and Portions
Unlike in the U.S., snacking isn’t really a big thing here, and portions may be smaller than what you’re used to. That’s totally normal! If you're still hungry, just say so kindly.
Clean and Tidy
Your host family will appreciate it if you leave shared spaces as you found them. While you're not expected to deep-clean, a little effort goes a long way: shoes off, rinse your dishes, leave the bathroom as you found it.
Not All Houses Have or Use AC
In Spain, most families rely on open windows, house fans, and pulling down the shades to keep a house cool. Many families don't have AC in their house, so be prepared to navigate a new way of staying cool ;).
Rooms Are Small
In Spain, the social life is not at your house, especially not in your room. Apartments in Spain are not usually te same "size standards" of a US house. Be prepared for a smaller room and a very social lifestyle.
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