After spending an exchange year in Spain, Camden Crews, 12, shares his experience throughout the year, including cultural differences, his favorite meal and what inspired him to go on such an adventure.

“It has always been an interest to visit Spain and experience Spanish culture. My family comes from Spain, so it was nice to connect with my roots,” Crews said. 

There are differences between the school cultures, including how welcoming his new peers in Spain were.

“They were more willing to branch out of their own friend groups,” Crews said. 

School life in Spain also came with surprises. Unlike American high schools, where students typically move between classrooms every hour, Crews’ school in Spain kept students in one room while teachers rotated in and out.

“It was a high school, but it felt a lot more like elementary school,” Crews said. “It’s a lot less chaotic, you know, having a few teachers walking through the halls rather than hundreds of kids. There’s pros and cons to both.”

Food also challenged his expectations.

“I expected their food to be spicier,” Crews said. “I think I mixed up Mexican culture with Spanish culture, and I totally thought food was going to be spicy. It wasn’t. It was very delicious. I loved the food,” Crews said.

Among his favorite meals was one he insists tourists would never stumble across.

“It’s called lentejas, it’s like a stew, very homey, a very comforting food,” Crews said. “You’re not going to go to a restaurant in Madrid or Barcelona to get that. It’s really if you’re living with a family or staying with a family.” 

Reflecting on what he wishes American culture could borrow from Spain, Crews highlighted the sense of community.

“People in Spain, everyone gets along with everyone,” Crews said. “I felt like there was much more of a school community rather than just the friend groups. I could talk to anyone and no one ever judged me for anything. It was very welcoming.”

For Crews, these cultural differences left a lasting impression and a desire to return.

“I’ll definitely visit Spain a multitude of times in my life now that I have a bunch of friends and family there,” Crews said. “And of course, I’d love to see the rest of the Spanish-speaking world too.”