Linguaschools Barcelona review: Monika from Switzerland

Interview mit Monika

Monika is 33 years old and she lives close to Zurich in Switzerland. She was living for a couple of years in Hawaii and she worked as a remedial teacher before she came to Barcelona. Finally, she quit her job to take a break in order to have more time to enjoy her life. Spanish was one of her major subjects at secondary school. Therefore she already had the level A2 before she came to Barcelona. After an intensive Spanish course (20 hours per week) from the 18th of April till the 03rd of July she successfully graduated level B1.

 


Why did you decide to learn Spanish during a language course abroad? 

I really love traveling and realized how important the Spanish language is to make myself understood in several parts around the world, especially in Central and South America. So primary I wanted to be able to speak Spanish on a certain level to be able to have more than just basic conversations. In addition the sound of the language suits me really well and I also like being with international people. So secondary I wanted to use the language travel to refresh or improve my Spanish skills and to bond with international people.


Why did you decide to learn Spanish in Barcelona? 

Barcelona has always been interesting for me as a holiday destination, because the city is alternative and situated at the sea and you can find a well-established creative and cultural scene. For that reason I had the possibility to visit several art courses and sights. Furthermore I got to know many international and creative people, who helped me to expand my ken and improved my creativity.


How did you experience the time at Linguaschools?

My time at Linguaschools was great, the staff was really friendly and the atmosphere in common was always open, personal and familiar. The activity program after school varied every week and it was the perfect possibility to meet up and bond with other students. I knew already people in city before coming to Barcelona, because of traveling. However, due to Linguaschools and the activities I was spending much more time with my new colleagues of the school than with my other friends in Barcelona. The life at the language school was diversified based on the accompanying school activities and the creative teaching methods of the teachers. I have to admit that I am a big fan of Liesbet, who is responsible for the school activities. In my opinion she is able to make easily people happy and smile with her personable and friendly behavior.


What was the overall impression of your stay? Due to my language travel to Barcelona I found out what “pura vida” signifies for me and how it helps me to enjoy my life to the full. During my time in Spain I realized that it is useful that I don’t have to plan my life too much in advance and that sometimes I shouldn’t take life always to serious. Therefore, I discovered that the attitude of living the moment and being spontaneous as well as undergoing of a change have a very positive effect on my personality development. During the time at Linguaschools I was having so much fun and I gained a lot of positive inputs that gave me a lot of new energy and creative ideas. The stay in Barcelona enabled it to immerse into the art scene and I made new useful contacts. And finally, I build many new friendships with people from all over the world and I am already looking forward to meeting up with them in the future.

 


How did your level Spanish evolve through Linguaschools in Barcelona?

I was improving my Spanish level a lot and now I am much more self-confident in Spanish conversations. After the Spanish courses I don’t have any problem anymore to join a Spanish conversation and now it is also easier to get to know Spanish spoken people. So I recognized that speaking Spanish is the key to experience the time in a Spanish spoken country much more intensive. If I drink a glass of Cava or Sangria, I can speak Spanish nearly fluent. (*smiles) According to my trip through Central America I really fell in love with the Spanish language and I wanted to improve it, because it helps a lot when getting in touch with locals. The language makes it possible to participate, when people share life experiences. Without the language you would miss all of them and I am of the opinion that without language ability it is nearly impossible to create a narrow connection between you and the locals. That’s the reason why through the Spanish course at Linguaschools I lived how a language positively effects the way you experience life in a city and how much closer the relation is to inhabitants.

 

What did you do during your time in Barcelona? Pooh! I did a lot of different things. I made a list of the ones I can still remember:

  • Open Air cinema at Sala Montjuic
  • Shopping in Gracia, Calle Verdi and admiring the street arts
  • Eating Tapas in 4Gats and feeling like in a Woody Allen Movie
  • Getting inspired by the beautiful mosaics, the Palau de Musica and other marvelous art nouveau buildings
  • Palo Alto Market
  • Watched concerts in Apolo
  • Trip to Montserrat
  • Jazz concerts in Jamboree Jazzclub Plaza Reial
  • Joining the Van Van Food Market
  • Taking a drink in the Antic theater in El Born
  • Eating in Mescladis in El Born
  • Experiencing the flea market in Barceloneta
  • Screen printing course at Print Academy workers at plaza John Lennon in Gracia
  • Coffee and cake in La Clandestina in Barrio Gotico
  • Going to my favorite restaurant in Gracia: „Quinoa“ at Travessera de Gracia
  • Jewelry course at el taller de joyeria in Poble Sec
  • Disovering the small backyards and gardens in Barcelona
  • Walking through the small alleys in El Born
  • Visiting Iglesia Santa Maria del Mar
  • Trip to Girona and Sitges
  • Going to my favorite beach platja de castell in Barcelona at the Costa Brava beaches
  • Visiting the Dali House in Cadaques
  • Celebrating at the Primavera Sound Festival

Read more Linguaschools Barcelona student reviews here.

Linguaschools Spanish courses in Spain
Linguaschools - Learn Spanish and dive into culture

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