I’d love to share with you the story of Dana, one of my wonderful SHIP (Spanish Home Immersion Program) students who stayed with me here in Barcelona. From the moment she arrived, I knew we were going to have a memorable experience together.
Dana is a bright, adventurous professional originally from the Czech Republic, though she’s lived in the UK for many years and works as a project manager for an international company in Ireland.
Despite her busy career, she decided to focus on learning business Spanish because she’s considering moving to Spain in the near future.
SHIP Information
Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Host teacher: Mónica
Student: Dana
Nationality: Czech Republic
Age: 40+
Objective: To learn Business Spanish because she’s considering moving to Spain in the near future.
Why Dana Came to Barcelona
Learn Spanish wasn’t just about ordering tapas or asking for directions for Dana (though we certainly practiced that, too!).
She’s part of a growing group of over-40 traveling professionals who recognize how valuable a second language can be for their careers and personal lives.
Dana wanted to refine her general Spanish skills and start focusing on Spanish for business, so she could confidently navigate meetings, presentations, and professional emails—all in Spanish.
Embracing the 40+ Solo Travel Experience
One of the things I admire most about Dana is her fearless approach to traveling solo. She didn’t wait for anyone else’s schedule to align or for the “perfect time” to come—she simply took the initiative to book her immersion with me.
Many of mySHIP students are over 40, juggling careers and family commitments, yet they still find ways to immerse themselves in Spanish. I love being able to offer a supportive environment where working professionals can focus on learning while also experiencing the real Barcelona.
Living and Learning Spanish in the teacher’s home
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Dana lived with me during her stay, and having her around felt like having a family member visiting from abroad. She got along famously with my two golden retrievers—my dogs adored her as much as she adored them!
It wasn’t long before she won over my parents as well, and we spent an unforgettable Christmas together. Sharing our holiday traditions with Dana—everything from festive meals to exchanging stories—was such a warm and enriching experience for all of us.
Deep Conversations… in the Spanish Language!
We made it a point to speak Spanish as much as possible, and Dana embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. Our conversations ranged from silly moments captured on video to deep chats about our life experiences, including discussions suitable for professional settings.
I truly believe that immersing yourself in both casual and serious discussions is one of the best ways to solidify language learning. Not only did Dana improve her grammar and vocabulary, but she also gained the confidence to express complex ideas, all while bonding with me and my family.
Blended Learning: Classes and Excursion for Language Skills
One of the highlights of my SHIP program is combining structured Spanish language training with real-life adventures around Barcelona. Dana and I spent some days focusing on business Spanish in more formal lessons—covering negotiation techniques, writing emails, and role-playing workplace scenarios.
On other days, we mixed things up with excursions to local markets, cafés, and cultural sites. Practicing Spanish while bargaining for fresh produce at a market or chatting with a restaurant owner made learning feel natural and dynamic.
We also ventured beyond language learning with some purely fun excursions—taking photos, videos, and being a bit silly together. These moments of light-hearted exploration helped Dana unwind and absorb Spanish in an informal setting.
Dana’s Business Spanish Journey in My Barcelona Home
I’d love to share with you the story of Dana, one of my amazing SHIP (Spanish Home Immersion Program) students who stayed with me here in Barcelona. Dana, originally from the Czech Republic but living in the UK for many years, is a project manager for an international company in Ireland.
She decided it was time to level up her Spanish—especially for business—because she’s thinking about moving to Spain in the near future.
Throughout her stay, Dana immersed herself not only in the Spanish language but also in the vibrant local culture. We balanced structured lessons with real-life excursions, each one offering a chance to practice Spanish in authentic settings.
Below, I’ve outlined some of the memorable outings we enjoyed together and how they tied into her language-learning journey. I hope her story inspires other solo travelers and 40+ professionals to embark on a similar adventure.
Barcelona City Centre Tour
To kick things off, we explored the heart of Barcelona together. I showed Dana some of the city’s most iconic spots, such as La Boqueria Market, Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), and Sagrada Familia.
- La Boqueria Market: We wandered through the colorful stalls to practice talking with vendors in Spanish, asking about prices, ingredients, and even negotiating purchases.
- Las Ramblas: While strolling along this bustling boulevard, Dana practiced spontaneous conversations with street performers and small business owners.
- Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic): The narrow streets and historical architecture gave us plenty to discuss—everything from local history to art and design.
- Sagrada Familia: Gaudí’s masterpiece provided a stunning backdrop for practicing descriptive language and discussing architectural vocabulary. We took time to admire the soaring towers, intricate facades, and the breathtaking interior, all while reinforcing Dana’s Spanish conversation skills in a truly awe-inspiring setting.
I loved seeing how quickly Dana adapted to speaking Spanish in real-world situations. By the end of our walk, she was much more confident initiating conversations and expressing herself in public.
Excursion with Laura to Castillo de Burriac
One of our more adventurous outings was a trip with Laura to Castillo de Burriac. Beyond marveling at the scenic views and the castle’s medieval architecture, we worked through the “Cuaderno del Castillo de Burriac.”
This workbook focused on vocabulary, verb tenses, and historical facts related to the site. By tying grammar and vocabulary directly to the castle’s history, Dana found it easier to absorb and remember new words.
Excursion to Mataró: Port y Beach (Santa Hats Included!)
I took Dana on a trip to Mataró, where we visited the port and the beautiful beach. Since it was Christmastime, we decided to bring along Santa hats and snap some fun, festive photos.
The fresh sea breeze and relaxed atmosphere gave us a perfect backdrop for practicing casual Spanish conversation—ordering drinks at a beachside café, chatting with locals, and describing the scenery.
Christmas Market & Historic Center of Mataró
While in Mataró, we also visited the Christmas Market, which was a magical experience. Dana absolutely loved browsing the festive stalls brimming with holiday crafts, treats, and decorations.
We laughed, sipped on warm beverages, and used the chance to practice holiday-related vocabulary—perfect for someone planning to make Spain her new home.
After the market, we wandered through the historic center of Mataró, learning about the city’s past and architectural highlights. Taking our time to explore meant Dana could fully immerse herself in local culture, further sharpening her Spanish listening and speaking skills.
Lesson on the go to Argentona with Laura
Another highlight was our “clase móvil” (mobile class) to Argentona with Laura. We brought along a dedicated “Cuaderno de Argentona,” which guided our explorations of the town’s history, famous water jugs (the town is known for its water-related traditions), and local landmarks.
Each stop offered a new mini-lesson in Spanish vocabulary and historical context. By connecting words and grammar to a tangible experience, Dana absorbed the language more naturally.
Lesson on the go to Dosrius with Laura
Continuing the idea of learning on the go, we ventured to Dosrius, workbook in hand. As with Argentona and Burriac, we used the “Cuaderno de Dosrius” to focus on relevant vocabulary—this time, about nature, rural life, and local customs.
Stopping to speak with residents or comment on the scenery reinforced the new words in Dana’s memory and gave her extra speaking practice.
Excursion with Lydia to Castillo de Dosrius
We took another fascinating trip to Castillo de Dosrius, this time accompanied by Lydia. Like our earlier excursions, we brought along a dedicated workbook that introduced Dana to the castle’s history, relevant vocabulary, and key grammar points.
Lydia provided additional insights and one-on-one practice, ensuring Dana absorbed the new words and expressions. Experiencing Dosrius from both a historical and linguistic perspective made the outing memorable—and reinforced Dana’s growing confidence in Spanish.
Lessons at Home: Grammar Revision and SIELE Prep
Of course, it wasn’t all about adventures outdoors. We also had plenty of lesson time at home:
- Grammar Revision with Lydia: Dana worked closely with Lydia to fine-tune her grammar, going over tricky points like subjunctive mood, verb conjugations, and complex sentence structures. Lydia’s patient and thorough approach helped Dana build a solid grammatical foundation.
- SIELE Exam Prep with Me: Since Dana is considering taking the SIELE exam (a Spanish proficiency test recognized worldwide), we spent focused sessions reviewing exam strategies, practicing reading comprehension, and polishing her oral expression. This targeted coaching gave Dana the confidence to tackle formal assessments and real-world business scenarios alike.
Blending Structured Lessons with Real-Life Experiences
One of the things I pride myself on is combining formal Spanish lessons with real-life cultural excursions around Barcelona and its surroundings.
By seamlessly weaving together grammar rules, business vocabulary, and practical interactions—like chatting with vendors or ordering food—Dana’s progress was both swift and lasting.
Every grammar rule or new word was immediately put to use in real situations, which made the learning stick.
A Memorable Christmas Holiday in Spanish Speaking Countries: Barcelona
Celebrating Christmas with Dana was a truly special experience. My extended family welcomed her with open arms, and she slipped right into the festivities.
We shared holiday traditions, indulged in Spanish dishes, and even taught her a few seasonal phrases.
For Dana, experiencing this warm, family-oriented side of Spanish culture was a wonderful way to solidify her connection to the language and the region.
Looking Ahead
By the time Dana left Barcelona, she had made remarkable progress in her Spanish fluency—especially in the realm of business communication. She’s now one step closer to making her dream of moving to Spain a reality.
As someone who has hosted many traveling professionals over the years, I can wholeheartedly say that Dana exemplifies the spirit of lifelong learning and cultural openness.
A Warm, Festive Farewell
During her time here, Dana not only improved her Spanish significantly, but she also became part of our family—celebrating Christmas with us, playing with my two golden retrievers, and sharing many laughs and deep conversations in Spanish. By the time she left, it felt like saying goodbye to a dear friend.
If you’re a solo traveler or a 40+ professional who wants to improve your Spanish—especially if you’re eyeing Spain for career or lifestyle reasons—Dana’s journey is proof that immersive learning works wonders. My SHIP program is all about giving you that personalized, authentic experience: staying in my home, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and gaining the confidence you need to speak Spanish in any setting.
I hope Dana’s story inspires you to take the plunge, pack your bags, and embrace Barcelona while leveling up your Spanish skills. Who knows? You might just end up making life-changing memories—Santa hats and all!
