Student story – exchange year in Cádiz, Spain

Hi everyone! 🗺️

My name is Giorgia, and I’m an Italian exchange student currently living in Spain.
Living in Cádiz as an exchange student has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life! I want to share what it’s like to explore this beautiful part of Spain and how to make the most of your free time while studying abroad.

Here, I’ll answer some of the most common questions I receive as an exchange student about how I spend my free time in Spain.

What sports or activities are available near where you live?

Cádiz is known for its stunning, windy beaches, making surfing the most popular sport here. Other activities include beach volleyball, beach football, and tennis. There’s a long paseo along the sea where people walk and run, as well as a skateboard park and calisthenics area. Football is a huge deal here, and dance styles like flamenco, which originated in nearby Seville, are also widely practiced.

Cádiz offers many sports facilities, including gyms and swimming pools, so there’s a great variety of options to stay active.

Have you joined any clubs or organizations?

I wouldn’t consider myself particularly sporty, so I haven’t joined any sports clubs or organizations. I did sign up for a gym for a few months, but now that the weather is nice, I prefer going for walks or runs along the sea with my friends.

Have you tried any activities since arriving?

This exchange year has definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone! I tried surfing during a trip to northern Spain with other exchange students. It wasn’t exactly enjoyable, it was December, and the temperature was just 5°C but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new and exciting.

What do you do on weekends?

On weekends, I usually hang out with my Spanish friends and sometimes with other exchange students. We often meet in the city center, but now that spring has arrived and beach season has begun, we’ll probably be spending more time by the sea. Sometimes, we also organize trips to nearby cities and towns. 

Have you traveled around the country?

From the very beginning, my fellow exchange students and I have been eager to explore the surroundings of Cádiz. We’ve visited small towns like El Puerto de Santa María, San Fernando, Jerez de la Frontera, Vejer, Setenil, Ronda, and Conil. We’ve also been to Seville multiple times, as well as Tarifa and Gibraltar.

Before coming to Cádiz, I attended a soft-landing camp in Barcelona, where I met all the exchange students staying in Spain. We did a lot of activities to explore the city and get to know each other, and we also received valuable advice on how to navigate our exchange year.

Later, we took another week-long trip to San Sebastián, a city in northern Spain. There, we had surfing lessons, a cooking class, scavenger hunts, and various activities to learn more about Basque culture.

In May, we’re going on our final group trip to Portugal, where we can choose between yoga and surfing as our main activities. Of course, we’ll also have time to explore the surroundings and visit cities like Lisbon.

Have you made new friends outside of school?

Most of my Spanish friends outside of school are friends of my classmates. I was lucky to have found a great group at school, and I get along well with my entire grade, so most of my friendships have formed there.

I’ve also met new people at local events, like Carnival, when everyone my age gathers to celebrate. If you sign up for a sport or activity after school, it’s a great way to meet even more Spanish friends outside of class.

Are there any special events or festivals you’ve attended?

Cádiz is famous for its Carnival, a nearly three-week-long celebration where people wear the most creative costumes. The festive atmosphere was absolutely magical!

In about two weeks, Semana Santa (Holy Week) will take place, which is especially significant in Andalusia. Seeing how excited my classmates are has made me look forward to experiencing it even more.

There are still so many things I want to do before my exchange ends. I’m planning a trip to Granada and Córdoba.

Living in Spain has been an incredible adventure, and I encourage anyone considering an exchange to go for it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change you in ways you never expected!