Mission & PurposeCáceres

Living in Spainas a Latin American

Same language, but not always the same words, schedules or customs. Practical tips for settling into life in Spain if you're coming from Latin America.

By the YWAM Cáceres team

Living and studying in Spain as a Latin American is usually easier than moving to other European countries, especially if you speak Spanish, but it isn't automatic. Sharing a language helps enormously, yet you'll soon find that vocabulary, daily schedules and some customs differ more than you expected. With a bit of preparation and humility, settling in can become one of the richest seasons of your life.

Is it hard to adjust to Spain coming from Latin America?

It depends on the person and on where you come from, but almost everyone goes through similar stages. At first everything is new and exciting. Then the tiredness sets in: paperwork, unfamiliar food, missing your family, not getting some of the jokes. Over time, little by little, you start to feel at home.

Knowing this process is normal helps you not lose heart. It doesn't mean you made a mistake by coming; it means you're learning to live between two cultures.

Language and accent: same Spanish, different words

Spain speaks the same language, but with its own vocabulary and rhythm. Some differences you'll notice straight away:

• Vosotros: in most of Spain, people use "vosotros" to address a group of friends instead of "ustedes".
• Everyday words: a cell phone is a "móvil", a computer is an "ordenador", an apartment is a "piso" and juice is "zumo".
• Expressions: you'll hear "vale" all the time to mean "OK", plus words that may mean something quite different back home.
• Tone: Spanish from Spain can sound more direct or blunt than you're used to, even when nobody is upset.

Your accent isn't a problem. It's part of who you are and often sparks curiosity. What matters is listening patiently, asking when you don't understand and laughing at the misunderstandings. If you're coming from Brazil or another country where Spanish isn't spoken, the language will be a bigger challenge at first, but daily immersion speeds up learning a lot.

Food and schedules: the big shift

One of the most common culture shocks is the daily rhythm. In Spain the main meal of the day is usually eaten around two or three in the afternoon, and dinner much later than in many Latin American countries. Evenings stretch out and social life runs on a different clock.

As for food, expect less spice, less corn and more olive oil, bread, pulses and cured meats. A "tortilla" here is a potato and egg omelette, not a corn flatbread. You'll probably miss the flavours of home at first, and it's fine to look for Latin shops or cook your own dishes for new friends. In Extremadura, it's also worth discovering Iberian ham, torta del Casar cheese and migas.

Community and relationships

Many Latin Americans feel that Spaniards are more reserved at first, or that it takes longer to break into a circle of friends. At the same time, once trust is built, friendships run deep and social life in terraces and squares is rich.

That's why it's so important not to isolate yourself. A few ideas:

• Find a local church where you can serve and meet people from the city.
• Join activities: language clubs, art groups, sports or volunteering.
• Open your home: inviting people for a meal is a simple way to build connections.
• Mix your friendships: leaning on other Latin Americans is great, but it's also worth making Spanish friends and friends from other countries.

At a base like YWAM Cáceres you'll live in an international community where you won't be the only one who has come from far away. The leader of the Genesis Lab DTS is himself from Brazil and has lived in Spain for years, so he knows first-hand what adjusting means.

Homesickness and how to handle it

Missing your family, your food, your streets or your church is completely normal, and some days it will weigh more than others. There's no need to hide it or feel guilty.

It helps to stay in touch with loved ones without living glued to your phone, to build small routines in your new place and to share your roots with the people around you. The Bible is full of people who lived far from home, like Ruth, Joseph and Daniel, and who found that God was with them in the new land too. Psalm 139 reminds us that wherever we go, He is already there.

What about visas and paperwork?

Every situation is different depending on your nationality, how long you plan to stay and what you're coming to do, so we don't give legal advice here. If you're coming to one of our schools, the base guides each student when the time comes, and everyone should always confirm the requirements with the Spanish consulate in their own country.

To find out more about the city, visit Why Cáceres, or see how the DTS in Cáceres works.