Interview with the Spanish Students After One Week at EISB

Recently, two students from EISB had the opportunity to participate in a pilot cultural exchange program with the school Centro Educativo Fasta Madre Sacramento, traveling to Spain and staying with local families. Later, the Spanish students made a return visit to Slovakia, staying at their Slovakian peers’ homes. To learn more about their experience, we interviewed the Spanish students about various aspects of their stay in Slovakia.

Marc’s interview

Question: How did you feel when you first arrived in Slovakia, and what were your initial impressions of the country, the city, and the environment around you?
Answer: I felt very welcome right from the start. Overall, the city gave me a similar vibe to Spanish cities, and the surroundings felt comfortable and familiar, which made the transition easier.

Question: How was your stay with your host family? Was there anything about their way of life or daily routines that stood out to you or surprised you?
Answer: My stay with the host family was very pleasant. Even though I had some prior knowledge of their lifestyle, I was surprised by how early they have dinner compared to what we’re used to in Spain. It was a bit of an adjustment, but I enjoyed it.

Question: What differences or similarities did you notice between daily life in Slovakia and Spain? Was there anything in particular that was difficult to adjust to?
Answer: People in both countries are equally friendly, but one of the main differences I noticed is that in Spain, many people don’t return home until after dinner, whereas here, people are often home earlier. It was interesting to observe how the daily routines are so different.

Question: How was your experience at the Slovak school, EISB? Did you notice any major differences compared to your school in Spain in terms of structure, atmosphere, or class dynamics?
Answer: My experience at EISB was very pleasant, although quite different. For example, in Slovakia, the students change classrooms, not the teachers. The class sizes are smaller, which makes the learning environment more intimate, and the teachers are incredibly friendly and approachable.

Question: What did you think of the classes at EISB? Was there a particular subject, teaching method, or activity that stood out to you because it was different from what you’re used to?
Answer: The classes were quite similar to those in Spain in many ways, but what surprised me the most was how much time is devoted to project-based work and how little talking there is during class. It’s a different dynamic, and it made me appreciate the importance of hands-on learning.

Question: During your time in Slovakia, was there any custom, tradition, or cultural aspect that you found particularly interesting or different from what you know in Spain?
Answer: Many things in Slovakia are similar to Spain, but I found the food to be quite different. I really enjoyed trying new dishes, and it was interesting to see how food plays a central role in their culture.

Question: How was your experience with Slovak cuisine? Was there any particular dish that stood out to you as especially tasty or surprising?
Answer: The food was fantastic! I especially enjoyed langos, which was both delicious and unlike anything I’d had before. It was a highlight of my culinary experience in Slovakia.

Question: What places did you visit during your stay in Slovakia, and which one was your favorite? What was it about that place that left a lasting impression on you?
Answer: During my stay, I visited a beautiful lake, the Bratislava castle, and the city center. My favorite was the lake because of the stunning landscape surrounding it. It was so peaceful, and I felt like I was in a completely different world.

Question: How was your relationship with the Slovak students, both in and outside of school? Were you able to make any new friends with students who weren’t part of the exchange program?
Answer: My relationship with the Slovak students was great. In addition to connecting with those involved in the exchange, I also made several new friends who weren’t part of the program. Everyone was really welcoming and eager to get to know me.

Question: Was there a special moment during your stay that stands out as particularly fun, meaningful, or memorable?
Answer: There wasn’t one single moment that stood out because I had so much fun throughout my stay. Every day brought something new and exciting, and I enjoyed every part of it.

Question: What did you enjoy most about this cultural exchange? Was there anything you didn’t particularly like or would change about the experience?
Answer: The best part of the exchange was definitely getting to know a completely different culture. Honestly, there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. It was a positive and enriching experience overall.

Question: Do you feel that this cultural exchange has changed you in any way? If so, how do you think it has influenced you personally or academically?
Answer: This experience definitely changed the way I understand and approach English. I’ve learned so much, especially through exposure to different accents and communication styles, which has really helped me grow.

Question: Would you recommend this kind of cultural exchange to other students? What do you think are the main benefits of participating in an exchange program like this?
Answer: Absolutely, I would highly recommend it. It’s an enriching experience that allows you to explore new cultures, gain different perspectives, and learn in a way that you can’t experience in the classroom. The personal growth that comes with it is priceless.

Question: If you had the chance to participate in this exchange again, is there anything you would do differently or any improvements you would suggest for the program?
Answer: If I could change anything, I would adjust the dates of the exchange. It would have been nice to have a weekend free to explore more of Slovakia, as we didn’t have that extra time due to the schedule.

 

Sofia’s interview

Question: How did you feel when you first arrived in Slovakia, and what were your initial impressions of the country, the city, and the surroundings?
Answer: I felt a bit out of place at first because it was a completely new country for me, and everything was different. But I quickly got used to it and began to appreciate the new surroundings.

Question: How was your experience staying with your host family? Was there anything about their lifestyle or daily routines that particularly surprised you or stood out to you?
Answer: Staying with my host family was a very positive experience. I was surprised by how early they eat dinner compared to Spain. It was something I wasn’t expecting, but it was interesting to experience.

Question: In what ways did you find life in Slovakia to be different or similar to life in Spain, especially in terms of social behavior and daily routines?
Answer: The main differences were the way people behave when they’re in groups and, of course, the daily schedules. People in Slovakia tend to be quieter in public spaces and have a different rhythm to their day-to-day life compared to Spain.

Question: How was your experience at the Slovak school, EISB, and what were the most noticeable differences you observed compared to your school in Spain in terms of teaching style, classroom environment, and relationships with teachers?
Answer: My experience at EISB was very good. The school is quite different from my school in Spain. The teaching style is more interactive, and the students have a closer relationship with the teachers. The classrooms are very welcoming, and I feel that they focus a lot on making learning interesting and enjoyable.

Question: What did you think of the classes you attended at EISB? Was there any particular subject, teaching method, or activity that stood out to you because it was different from what you’re used to back in Spain?
Answer: I really enjoyed the classes. They were engaging, and I liked how students were encouraged to participate. The most surprising thing for me was how much emphasis was placed on collaborative work and projects rather than just lectures.

Question: How would you describe your experience with Slovak cuisine? Was there a particular dish or type of food that you found especially delicious or interesting?
Answer: My experience with Slovak food was great! I really enjoyed the local dishes. One of my favorites was the langos, a traditional fried bread, which was absolutely delicious.

Question: During your stay, what places in Slovakia did you have the chance to visit, and which one was your favorite? What made that place stand out to you the most?
Answer: I had the chance to visit the city center, the river, and a gallery, and we also went to Vienna. My favorite place was the lake – the landscape was stunning, and the peaceful atmosphere made it an unforgettable experience.

Question: How would you describe your relationship with the Slovak students both inside and outside of school? Were you able to make new friends and connect with students who were not part of the exchange program?
Answer: My relationship with the Slovak students was really good. Not only did I bond with the students in the exchange program, but I also made new friends who weren’t part of it. The students were welcoming and eager to get to know me.

Question: What was the most enjoyable aspect of the cultural exchange for you, and what was the one thing you liked the least or found less enjoyable about the experience?
Answer: The best part of the exchange was definitely getting to know a new culture and seeing how people live in Slovakia. What I liked the least was how quiet the students were during class – it took a little getting used to, as it’s much more lively in Spain.

Question: Would you encourage other students to participate in a cultural exchange like this one? Why do you think this kind of experience is valuable for young people?
Answer: Absolutely! It’s a unique opportunity to experience a different culture firsthand and learn things you can’t get from a book or the internet. It’s something I’d recommend because it helps you grow personally and broadens your horizons.

Question: If you had the opportunity to participate in this cultural exchange again in the future, would you do anything differently or suggest any changes to improve the program?
Answer: No, I wouldn’t change anything. The experience was fantastic as it was.

For EISB, it has been a true pleasure to accompany the Spanish students during their cultural exchange at our school. Watching them adapt quickly to a new environment, learn about our culture, and establish connections with their Slovak peers has been incredibly rewarding. These types of experiences not only enrich students on a linguistic level, but also provide them with a valuable opportunity for personal growth. We hope that this program continues to develop and offer such enriching experiences in the years to come.