An active gap year in vibrant Valencia.

Sport & Spanish in beautiful Valencia. What will your days look like there? What can you expect? In this blog, Isa shares her experience of her first month in Valencia!

Why did you choose Valencia?

Last year, I finished my final exams and had to decide what to do after high school. Unfortunately, I didn’t get accepted for my first study choice, so I had to come up with a plan B. I was pretty sure I wanted to try again the following year, so I had a year to fill. Should I start a different study or take a gap year? And if so, what would I do during that gap year?

After a hockey match, my mom asked me, “Isa, what really is your passion?” I get a lot of energy from hockey and I enjoy playing it. I also love traveling, discovering new places, and meeting new people. So I started looking for hockey opportunities abroad. My eye quickly fell on Mister Valencia. I really like the Spanish language and culture. Plus, Spain is relatively close, and what’s great is that the organization is mainly made up of Dutch people living in Valencia.

When did you arrive in Valencia, and how long will you stay?

I arrived in Valencia at the beginning of March 2023 and will stay for four months. The first month has flown by. Everything was new in the first few weeks, and I had many exciting and fun experiences.

What has your experience been like so far? Did you find it difficult to get used to playing hockey with a Spanish team?

At first, I did have to get used to playing hockey with the Spanish team. I didn’t speak the language yet, and a few things were different. For example, the warm-up was not what I was used to. They start training by loosening up their muscles, followed by thorough stretching. After stretching, there’s strength training, and only then do they start playing hockey.

Everyone is very passionate and driven, which you can really feel during training and matches. Another thing that’s important for us Dutch players is the “third half” — the social time after the game. Here, they tend to focus more on the sport itself. Of course, you also have a role in that. For example, I went a few times with the Dutch girls from my team to Bar Holandés, a bar with Dutch snacks.

All in all, I really enjoyed my first month. I’m having fun playing hockey, I enjoy learning the language, and I’ve met some great people.

How do you like learning the Spanish language?

At first, I found the language course intense. You spend 4 hours a day learning Spanish. There are about 10 people in the class, so there’s a lot of personal attention, which I really appreciate. Because the lessons are frequent and personalized, you quickly learn the basics of the language. It’s also nice that classes end at 1 PM, leaving the whole afternoon free to explore what Valencia has to offer.

What do you like most about Valencia?

It’s wonderful to have lunch or enjoy a drink in the sun after class. The sunny weather is one of the reasons I chose Valencia. From March to June, Valencia has a very pleasant climate in my opinion.

Besides that, it’s a beautiful city. I can spend hours wandering around, admiring the stunning buildings and lovely shops. Valencia also has an aquarium and one of the most beautiful and animal-friendly zoos in the world.

When the city gets too warm, I hop on my bike and head to the park or the beach. Both places are perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

All in all, I’ve really enjoyed my first month. I’m having fun playing hockey, I enjoy learning the language, and I’ve met some great people. So if you’re unsure about going on an adventure too, I’d say don’t hesitate—send a message. Who knows, Valencia might soon be your new home!

Does the combination of playing hockey and learning Spanish in Valencia sound good to you? Feel free to contact us!