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 My host family played a very important role in my experience. The father, Markus, and the mother, Claudia, both worked, but they still spent a lot of time at home, so I was able to share many moments with them. They were very kind and always made me feel comfortable. They often cooked for me, which I really appreciated. I also lived with Chiara’s brother, Robin, who was very friendly and easy to get along with during the whole month. We did not have lunch together every day, but we usually had dinner together, especially on weekends, which made me feel part of the family.

 During my stay, I attended Christoph Probst Gymnasium in Gilching. From Monday to Friday, I took the bus every morning, which made me feel like a normal student there. Most classes were taught in German, so it was difficult for me to follow the lessons. Because of that, in subjects like economy or history, we usually went to the library to study on our own. However, in classes such as English or French, we could participate more easily. The teachers were kind and understanding, and the students were friendly too, although they were less formal than we had expected before arriving in Germany.

 Another important part of this experience has been my friends. I came to Germany with four other students from my high school, and sharing this month with them made everything easier and more fun. Even though each of us stayed with a different host family, we met often to talk about our experiences and compare how different our routines were. Sometimes we traveled together, and other times we just walked around and enjoyed the snow. Living this adventure with people I already knew created a strong sense of support. I think this trip has made our friendship even stronger than before.

 Living with a German host family has been one of the most interesting parts of my Erasmus experience. At the beginning, everything felt new: different schedules, different meals, and even different ways of organizing the day. Little by little, I started adapting to their routine. We usually had dinner together, and that became an important moment to talk about the day and share experiences. I also had to get used to being more independent and responsible. Simple things like taking the train alone or following house rules helped me grow. Being part of another family’s daily life taught me flexibility, respect, and how to feel comfortable in a completely new environment.

 During my stay in Bavaria, I noticed several customs and traditions that are very different from my home country. People here really value punctuality. If you agree to meet at a certain time, everyone arrives exactly on time. It shows respect and organization. I also observed that Sundays are very quiet, because most shops are closed and families spend the day together. Traditional clothing, like dirndls and lederhosen, is still important during festivals and special events. Even though I did not experience a big festival myself, my host family explained how meaningful these traditions are. Overall, Bavarian culture feels organized, respectful, and strongly connected to its history.

 One of the biggest challenges during my stay has been the German language. I do not speak any German, and at the beginning it seemed extremely difficult. The pronunciation sounds very different from Spanish, and sometimes the words are incredibly long. However, what surprised me the most is that almost everyone in Germany speaks very good English. Because of that, I have not had serious problems communicating. My host family speaks English fluently, so we can have normal conversations at home without misunderstandings. Even if I have not learned much German yet, this experience has shown me how important English is for international communication today.