(enlarge)To improve our language skills and learn more about Spanish culture, we—20 students from the Vocational College for Foreign Languages—traveled to Madrid, the capital of Spain, as part of the Erasmus+ program. Thanks to the support of the Erasmus program, we were able to experience so much. We were accompanied by our homeroom teachers, Ms. Sover and Mr. Vicent.
Travel and Arrival
On Sunday, May 10, 2026, our trip began at 5 a.m. We took a bus together from Bad Mergentheim to Frankfurt Airport. From there, we flew directly to Madrid’s Barajas Airport. For some of us, it was our very first flight, which made it especially exciting. Afterward, we were taken to our host families in minivans. The nervousness we felt before meeting our host families for the first time turned out to be completely unwarranted. We were all warmly welcomed and looked forward to the time ahead.
Teaching and Learning
During the week, we had language classes from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our class was divided into two groups, and we took a variety of exciting and diverse courses. The curriculum covered everything from communication skills to culture, negotiation, emotional intelligence, Spanish business correspondence, and international marketing. The teachers kept the lessons engaging and created a pleasant learning environment. On the last two days of school, we took written and oral exams in these subjects.
After the first week, we could already see significant progress. It was easier for us to communicate, not only in class but also with our host families.
(enlarge)Afternoon Activities and Field Trips
After class, there was an afternoon activity almost every day. During the first week, we went on an exciting guided tour of the city center: from the Puerta del Sol, past the Plaza Mayor, and from there down the huge shopping street Gran Via all the way to the breathtaking Royal Palace. One of the special highlights was our Spanish cooking class, where we made paella, tortilla, and Tarte de Santiago; everything tasted really good!
The highlight of our trip was definitely our visit to Toledo, the former capital of Spain. There, we took a city tour through the beautiful Old Town and learned a lot about the city’s impressive architecture and history. The view of the entire city will remain unforgettable for us.
Friday was the San Isidro holiday in Spain. So we didn’t have classes that day; instead, we went to watch the parades and join in the locals’ celebrations.
During the second week, we were given a guided tour of the Chueca and Malasaña neighborhoods on Monday. These neighborhoods are known for their creative, alternative scene. We also visited the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad and El País, Spain’s largest newspaper publisher, that week. This gave us a fascinating glimpse into the Spanish workplace.
Leisure
In addition to the planned activities, we of course also had some free time. Some spent it shopping, while others visited museums, tapas bars, or attended a soccer game between Atlético Madrid and Girona. Many also went to Retiro Park or met up in the evenings at the Puerta del Sol or the Templo de Debod.
(enlarge)Farewell and Conclusion
In the second week, our written exam took place on Thursday right after class. The oral exam was scheduled for Friday. Afterward, the school organized a small graduation party for us. We spent our last evening watching the sunset at the Templo de Debod.
Before we could fly back home on Saturday, May 23, we faced one last challenge: we had to travel from our host families to Barajas Airport in small groups by metro. Everyone handled this challenge with ease, so after two eventful weeks, we were able to fly back to Frankfurt together. From there, we were taken by bus back to Bad Mergentheim, where our families gave us a warm welcome.
The language trip was a wonderful experience for all of us! Not only did we improve our language skills, but we also gained a lot of insight into Spanish culture, life, and history. We owe this especially to the teachers at the language school, thanks to their relaxed and informative teaching style. But we’re also grateful to our teachers, who were always there for us and organized many fun activities for us in our free time.
We also grew closer as a class. The many shared experiences made the trip an unforgettable one. Thanks to Erasmus for the support! We’d all go on it again!
Naomi Sohns, BKFR1/1, June 2026