Adriana Mucaj

Short-term mobility

• IES Sierra de Gador • Berja • Spain •

In February 2026, thanks to Erasmus, I had the opportunity to go on a short-term mobility to Spain. I spent two weeks in the south of Spain in a small town called Dalias. I attended the final year of IES Sierra de Gador in the nearby town of Berja with my host sister Ana. Together with Tereza Vrbacka, who was also on Erasmus at the same school at the same time, we prepared a presentation at the teachers request and introduced the Czech Republic and our school to various classes during English lessons.

At first I was not sure whether I would get on with my host family. None of them spoke English except Ana, but I soon found out that the language barrier would not divide us. Even though I did not speak the same language as her family, we clicked straight away. We solved communication with a translator and often with mime too. I got so used to them that I even went out for tapas with Ana's parents and their friends on my own.

Thanks to this stay I met lots of kind and friendly people. The teachers at school were positive, happy to help pupils, and talked with them openly like friends. Everyone welcomed me too, even though they could not speak English. I really fell in love with their Spanish energy and it felt like it had never been easier to make new friends than there.

I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for all the memories and connections I built. It is an experience I will never forget. It moved me a lot as a person - I am more confident in myself and I have learned to communicate and connect with people more.

We asked...

Why would you recommend the Erasmus+ programme to your classmates and what advice would you give them?

I would recommend the Erasmus+ programme to all students who want to gain new experiences, learn languages, travel, and meet new people. It will truly change your outlook on life and you will come home with lots of memories and new friends. My advice would be not to be afraid to try new things and step outside your comfort zone. There is no need to be shy - nobody knows you there after all.

What were your first impressions upon arrival to your family and school?

After landing in Malaga, our host families gave us a warm welcome. I stayed with Ana in the small town of Dalias, 15 minutes from Berja. The family I stayed with was absolutely wonderful from the start and we clicked straight away. At first I was shy and unsure, but it did not take long before my host family helped me feel like myself again. I took the school bus to school with Ana every day. On the first day the school headmaster and their Erasmus coordinator welcomed us along with other Erasmus students from Ireland, showed us around the whole school, and were very considerate.

How would you describe your typical day?

I spent the mornings at school with Ana, attending her lessons. During the long break we spent time with Ana's friends in the school courtyard. School finished every day at 14:40. After school I usually spent time with the family - they took me on various walks, trips, and activities. I was never bored with them. They showed me what real life in the south of Spain looks like.