Spanish-Italian family welcomes English-speaking cultural exchange in Don Benito, Spain

Details

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  Description

  Hello! We are a Spanish-Italian family living in a beautiful rural area of Extremadura, in the southwest of Spain.
  
  We are Nieves (Spanish), Gianluca (Italian) and our son Francesco, who is 7 years old.
  
  We are a multicultural family and we genuinely love meeting people from different countries, learning about other cultures and sharing our everyday life.
  
  Why are we looking for an English-speaking person?
  
  One of our main reasons for welcoming a Workawayer is language exchange.
  
  We would particularly like to welcome a native or fluent English speaker, as we would love for Francesco to have the opportunity to experience English naturally in his everyday life — through playing, talking, reading, going for walks and simply sharing family life.
  
  We also speak English ourselves and would like to keep practising and improving our English, as we don't want to lose the level we have acquired over the years.
  
  In return, you will have plenty of opportunities to practise Spanish with us and experience Spanish culture and everyday life.
  
  And because Gianluca is Italian, Italian is also spoken at home. Italian food and traditions are an important part of our family life too — especially good coffee, pasta and long conversations around the table!
  
  So, in our home you will have the opportunity to hear and practise English, Spanish and Italian.
  
  🌍 A little about us
  
  Nieves has worked as a childcare provider abroad in the past, so she knows first-hand what it feels like to leave your own country and become part of another family. She has also travelled and lived abroad as a Workawayer, so we understand from personal experience what makes a cultural exchange a positive experience — and how important it is to have independence, free time and your own personal space.
  
  Gianluca has lived and worked abroad for many years, so he also understands what it feels like to be far away from home.
  
  Because of that, we are therefore not looking for someone simply to "work" in our home. We would love to welcome someone who wants to live with a Spanish-Italian family, experience everyday life in Spain, share their culture and language with us, improve their Spanish and become part of our family for a while.
  
  👦 Francesco is 7 years old. He is curious, energetic and loves playing, discovering new things, being outdoors and learning about the world. We would love for you to become a kind older friend/sibling figure for him.
  
  Your main time with Francesco would be in the afternoons, after school. You could play together, go for walks or bike rides, read, play games, help with homework or simply spend time together — preferably speaking English naturally and consistently.
  
  You don't need to be a professional childcare worker. What matters most to us is that you genuinely enjoy spending time with children and are responsible, patient and caring.
  
  🕐 Your schedule
  
  Your mornings would generally be free.
  
  Your main responsibility would be spending time with Francesco in the afternoons, together with a small amount of light household help.
  
  We want you to have plenty of time for yourself — to study, learn Spanish, exercise, explore the area, meet people, travel or simply relax.
  
  We don't expect you to be available all day. We believe that a good cultural exchange should give everyone enough personal space and freedom.
  
  🚲 Your independence
  
  We live in Don Benito, a small city surrounded by countryside in the southwest of Spain, in beautiful Extremadura. It is a peaceful and authentic area, away from mass tourism, with plenty of nature, local culture, cafés, shops and restaurants. It is also a great base for exploring Extremadura and discovering a different, more authentic side of Spain. 🌿🇪🇸 We provide a bicycle for you to get around independently and explore the area. 🚲
  
  We will also be happy to help you discover Extremadura and plan trips around Spain.
  
  🏡 What we offer
  
  * Your own private room.
  * Accommodation and meals with our family.
  * Pocket money for your personal expenses.
  * A bicycle for your use.
  * Generally free mornings.
  * Plenty of free time for yourself and to travel.
  * Daily opportunities to practise Spanish.
  * Exposure to both Spanish and Italian language and culture.
  * A welcoming family environment.
  * A genuine cultural exchange rather than a traditional job.
  
  We would love to share Spanish and Italian food, traditions, celebrations and everyday life with you — from Spanish local traditions to Italian coffee, pasta and family meals! ☕🍝
  
  And we would be equally happy to discover your culture, food, music, traditions and stories.
  
  👩‍🦰👨‍🦱 Who are we looking for?
  
  We are particularly looking for an English-speaking person, ideally a native English speaker or someone who speaks English fluently.
  
  We are open-minded about age and would be happy to welcome someone from around 18 up to 30–35 years old. Age is much less important to us than personality and maturity.
  
  We are looking for someone who is:
  
  * Kind, responsible and caring.
  * Independent and mature.
  * Open-minded and respectful.
  * Comfortable around children.
  * A fluent English speaker.
  * Interested in Spanish and Italian culture.
  * Happy to participate in family life while also enjoying their own space.
  * Interested in a genuine cultural exchange.
  * Ideally interested in learning or improving Spanish.
  
  You don't need to be an experienced childcare professional.
  
  Most importantly, we are looking for someone who thinks that living with a Spanish-Italian family in rural Spain for several months, sharing languages and cultures, sounds like an adventure!
  
  If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you and get to know you before deciding whether we could be a good match. ❤️

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Babysitting and creative play

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Cycling

  

  Gardening

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  History

  

  Books

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Self development

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Culture

  

  Movies & TV

  

  Camping

  

  Mountain

  

  Fitness

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Hiking

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Living with our family will give you the opportunity to experience everyday Spanish life from the inside, rather than simply visiting Spain as a tourist.
  
  You can:
  
  * Improve your Spanish through everyday conversations and family life.
  * Share and practise English with Francesco and with us, while helping him discover English naturally.
  * Discover Italian language, food and traditions through Gianluca and our family life.
  * Learn about Spanish and Italian cooking, traditions and everyday customs.
  * Experience what it is like to become part of a local family and understand a different way of living.
  * Discover rural Extremadura, its landscapes, food, traditions and local culture.
  * Enjoy the freedom to explore the area by bicycle.
  * Use your free time to travel around Spain and discover places beyond the usual tourist destinations.
  * Meet new people, develop your independence and gain experience living abroad.
  * Share your own culture, language, food and traditions with us and with Francesco.
  
  We hope the experience will be a two-way cultural exchange: you will learn about our languages and culture, while we learn from you and discover your country and way of life.
  
  Most importantly, we hope you will leave Spain with new experiences, friendships, greater confidence and a feeling that you have been part of a family rather than simply a visitor. ❤️

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  Au Pair Help

  Further details can be found here

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Our main need is help with our 7-year-old son, Francesco, mainly in the afternoons after school. We would love someone who enjoys playing with him, talking, reading, doing crafts, going for walks or bike rides and helping occasionally with homework — ideally speaking English with him as much as possible.
  
  We would also appreciate a little help with light household tasks, such as helping to keep common areas tidy, setting the table or helping with simple family chores.
  
  Your mornings would generally be free, and we want you to have plenty of time to enjoy your own plans, explore the area, learn Spanish and travel around Spain.
  
  We are looking for a genuine cultural exchange, not a full-time childcare or housekeeping position. ❤️

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Spanish: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  You will have your own private bedroom with a comfortable bed, desk and wardrobe, giving you your own personal space and privacy.
  
  You will also have full access to the shared areas of our home, including the living room, kitchen, dining area and other common spaces, and of course you will be welcome to join us in our everyday family life.
  
  We have Wi-Fi/internet access throughout the house.
  
  You will also have your own bicycle to use during your stay, so you can get around Don Benito independently and explore the surrounding area.
  
  You will be treated as part of the family, while always having your own private space to relax and enjoy your free time.

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  What else ...

  We want you to feel comfortable, independent and at home during your stay, so here are some things that may be useful to know before coming.
  
  🏡 Family life: You will live with us as part of the family. We enjoy sharing meals, conversations and everyday activities, but we also understand the importance of having your own private time and space.
  
  🕐 Free time: Your mornings will generally be free, as most of your help with Francesco will be needed in the afternoons. You will also have days off and plenty of time to travel, study, meet people or make your own plans.
  
  🚲 Getting around: We provide you with your own bicycle, which you can use to get around Don Benito and explore the surrounding area independently.
  
  🌿 Location: Don Benito is a small city surrounded by countryside in Extremadura. It is not a big tourist destination, so this is a great opportunity to experience a more authentic side of Spain. There are shops, supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, sports facilities and other everyday services nearby.
  
  🌞 Weather: Extremadura has very hot, dry summers and mild winters. If you come during the summer, be prepared for high temperatures!
  
  🍽️ Food: You will share our family meals and experience both Spanish and Italian food and traditions. We are happy to accommodate reasonable dietary preferences or restrictions if we know about them in advance.
  
  🗣️ Languages: Spanish is the main language at home, but Italian is also spoken regularly. We are specifically looking for an English-speaking person because we want Francesco to have an authentic English-speaking environment and we would also like to keep improving our own English.
  
  👦 Children: Francesco is 7 years old and our main expectation is that you enjoy spending time with him and are comfortable around children. You don't need to be a professional childcare worker.
  
  🤝 Cultural exchange: We are interested in getting to know you and your culture too. We would love you to share your language, food, music, traditions and stories with us.
  
  🧳 Travelling: We encourage you to explore Spain during your free time. We will be happy to give you recommendations and help you discover places to visit.
  
  🔐 Privacy and respect: You will have your own private bedroom and personal space. We believe that good communication, mutual respect and clear expectations are essential for a positive experience.
  
  We are happy to answer any questions before your arrival and, most importantly, we would like to get to know you first to make sure that we are a good match for each other. ❤️

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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