Exchanges in the United States

For me, the experience at Oak Knoll was unforgettable. It helped me learn about and understand other cultures and see how different and similar life is for people my age in such a faraway country. I connected with my exchange partner and her family from the very beginning. They welcomed me so warmly, and from day one, I didn't want to leave. At school, they also welcomed us, and all the girls wanted to get to know us. Thanks to that, we all felt even more welcome. And in the end, having the opportunity to travel to such a beautiful place like, in this case, New York and having the pleasure of visiting it is something anyone would love to have. When I had to leave, it was difficult, especially because my exchange student couldn't come to Barcelona, ​​and I don't know when I'll be able to see her again. But the best part of the experience was that: not wanting to leave. 

Uma Rodríguez

My thoughts on the exchange: The experience solidified my self-sufficiency in a new city and my ability to utilize my knowledge of a foreign language. It was so exciting to live with a new family and become part of the vibrant city of Barcelona, even if it was only for two weeks. I'm so glad I participated in the exchange with Sant Ignasi. It made all the difference in my language learning process, and will be so helpful as I go off to university. 

Keira Ardise

My name is Quinn McNany, and I am a junior in high school at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. My experience of traveling to Barcelona and learning about Spain's culture, cities, and traditions has broadened my worldview and improved my Spanish communication and comprehension skills. Not only did the exchange give me the opportunity to explore the city of Barcelona, but it also allowed me to live the life of a student there and attend their classes, eat meals with their families, and interact with Spanish-speaking teenagers. Overall, my experience in Barcelona led me to step out of my comfort zone, practice my Spanish speaking skills, discover a new culture, and strengthen my friendship with my exchange student. 

Quinn McNany 

For me, the experience of going to live in New York City for 3 weeks was unforgettable. Not only because of the city itself but also because of the partners and the autonomy the exchange allows us to have. Since the very first moment we landed in New York, we all felt so welcomed by our families. Also in the school, all the girls were kind and tried to get to know us so it was not awkward to be there. Although the school had activities planned for all of us, we could also hang out and visit the city by ourselves or with our parterns. This exchange allows those who go there, a full experience of going abroad to another continent with different cultures, manners and beliefs, and gives them the opportunity to get to know all of the differences. I couldn’t be more grateful for having stayed in New York City for those 3 weeks. For me it is an experience that everyone has to try at least once in his/her life and I’m sure they won’t regret it. 

Clara Cobo 

My time at Sant Ignasi has been an unforgettable and amazing experience. With the passing of each day, I felt less and less like a tourist, culturally immersing myself in the Spanish culture and its traditions. I even managed to pick up a few typical Spanish phrases, my favorite being "Vale," and till today I am still craving the 10am bocadillos and the afternoon churros with hot chocolate.

I am so grateful for having met so many wonderful people throughout this exchange. From my extremely warm and hospitable host family, to the teachers who tried to help me grasp Catalan, to my Spanish classmates, to even my fellow American exchange students. Everyone made me feel incredibly welcome and made the three weeks pass by so quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed my visits to beautiful Sitges and Park Güell. Sant Ignasi could not have been a better host. I sincerely thank all of you who made this such a memorable experience.

Chloe Cazzoli

Introducing a whole different culture to a student from another country is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even though we immersed Balti (our exchange student) in American culture, we showed him our household cultures from the Philippines, resembling how diverse America can be.

Living in a completely different city with a different culture was amazing. The ability to practice Spanish, share traditions and cultures, and fully immerse myself in the Spanish education system educated me on how life is in Spain. Barcelona became my second home and I am looking forward to returning soon.

David Angus

The moments that I lived in those 3 weeks in Washington D.C. are for sure, ones that I won't forget. My exchange taught me the cultural differences between two countries, but how even being far apart there are also some similarities in our way of living. A country like the United States showed me the cultural diversity that can be found in a single place, and that everyone is welcomed. This experience also made me learn how to be more autonomous and responsible. I am so grateful as this exchange made me meet a lot of people that have more things in common with me than I would have ever expected and were always very welcoming, and a wonderful family that always made me feel like I was at home. I fell in love with the city: its hugeness, its architecture and its monumentality that felt so charming and their traditions that sometimes made me think I was in a movie. When the three weeks finished, I didn’t want to leave!

I was excited to host my partner, Lucas, here in Barcelona both to give back the treat that I received from his family and to show him all the things I told him and our rich culture that fills every street and house. It was very easy for us to host because of the good planning of the activities, plus the help of the American students. My partner got to see how life is here and our traditions.

Joan Lecha

I had a really special time at Sant Ignasi, and the program allowed me to meet new people and explore Barcelona. It was a very valuable experience, and I am lucky to have meaningful relationships as a result.

Raya

The experience of spending three weeks in New York City was really special. I went to Friends Seminary, a school in Manhattan, and stayed with a host family that was fine — they treated me well and I felt comfortable. One of the best parts was the autonomy we had; even though the school had some activities planned (some of them were actually very cool), we also had a lot of free time to explore the city on our own or with our exchange partners. Each family paid for a MetroCard for their host student, which made it easier to move around. The students at the school were nice and welcoming, which made it easier to adapt and not feel out of place. This exchange is a great chance to discover a new culture, live a different daily routine, and see things from another perspective. I think it’s an experience worth having, and I’m really glad I got to live it. I loved it!

Adriana Arista

When I hosted my exchange student from Spain in high school, it was all about showing her what life was like where I live, taking her to school with me, introducing her to my friends, and having her try American food and everything. Now that I’m in Barcelona visiting her, it’s so different. I’m the one trying to figure things out, like eating dinner super late and walking everywhere. The city feels so alive and way older than anything back home. It’s really cool seeing where she grew up and being part of her world for a while instead of just showing her mine.

I couldn’t have asked for a better family to stay with during my time in Barcelona. I felt extremely comfortable and safe with their family and truly welcome at home. All the activities they planned for me were amazing experiences, and I enjoyed every moment. The food and culture I experienced here were wonderful. Living as a student in another country has been the best and most unforgettable experience of my life.

Grant Fisher

The exchange trip between Sant Ignasi in Barcelona and Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City was a great opportunity to experience a completely different environment and way of life. Right away, I noticed the contrast in daily routines, from the quicker pace of life to how schools operate. At Saint Peter’s Prep, the energy is high, students switched buildings throughout the day, which gives the school a fast-moving atmosphere. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting nearby New York City. Similarly Barcelona is a rich city that has to offer a similar city life in a unique nearby beach setting. Spain has a laid-back vibe which is unlike the US but was great switch of pace for a two week stay.

A big part of what made the trip so enjoyable was Hugo and his family who were sweet and easy to get along with. His family was welcoming and made sure I felt comfortable throughout my stay. We had a lot of good conversations and they were genuinely interested in learning about the U.S. Whether we were eating together or going out around the city, they made the experience feel natural and fun. I really appreciated their hospitality, and it made the cultural exchange much more meaningful.

Matthew Zepeda

I embarked on an exciting exchange trip to Colegio Sant Ignasi in Barcelona. During my stay, I lived with a welcoming family consisting of a mom and two sisters, with the father away for travels. My exchange host being Adriana, one of the sisters. This experience allowed me to understand the vibrant culture and language of Spain, offering a wide contrast to his usual life. The trip was not only educational but also a chance to form meaningful connections and broaden my perspective. 

In return, Adriana visited New Jersey in November for a two-week exchange. During her stay, she explored the stunning landscapes of the East Coast, including New York City, the Statue of Liberty, and Philadelphia. I introduced her to local delights, such as Entenmann’s Louisiana Crunch cake, which became a favorite, prompting me to bring three boxes back to Spain as a present. Through these exchanges, both of us gained a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and languages, creating lasting memories and friendships.

Antonio Gonçalves-Young

The experience that I have been living these months of the exchange, has been one of the best I have ever lived, 5 months ago we went for the first time to New Jersey, and I am very grateful to the opportunity I had to meet all the guys from Saint Peter. It has been two weeks since they all came to Barcelona and we have had a great time .Now I have friends from other parts of the world, and I can always count on them for whatever I need.

Sara Zabala

Throughout my years as a student, I’ve taken part in several exchange programs, but without a doubt, the one with the students from Saint Peter’s Prep School in the USA has been the most special. It’s the exchange that left me with the most friendships and memories.

My experience was a bit different from the others, as I stayed with a student named Jake. Since he couldn’t come to Spain due to Lacrosse season, I went to his house, and later, another student, Gabe, came to stay with me. I honestly feel like I couldn’t have asked for a better host family—they welcomed me with open arms, showed me their hometown, took me to their beach house, introduced me to their daily life and their friends. Jake and his family treated me incredibly well, and I miss them a lot.

The group we formed during the exchange was amazing—we really clicked and complemented each other perfectly. I also really enjoyed when they came to visit us here in Spain; it was great to show them our lifestyle, our friends, and the kinds of things we do after school or on weekends.

This exchange was so much more than just an opportunity to practice English. I’m truly grateful to have had the chance to be part of it.

Carla Zabala