🧭 Episode Description

Some trips change what you see—but some people change how you see the world.

In this heartfelt episode of Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint, Cheryl is joined by three longtime friends and fellow educators—Ale, Loida, and Victor—for a powerful conversation about a student exchange program that transformed far more than itineraries.

Together, they reflect on building a people-first, homestay exchange between the U.S. and Spain—one rooted in trust, curiosity, and genuine connection rather than agencies or transactions. What began as a professional collaboration became a decade-long partnership that reshaped how they taught, traveled, and connected with students across cultures.

This episode is a love letter to the educators, host families, and students who proved that meaningful travel starts with relationships.

✨ In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• How this U.S.–Spain exchange program first began
• Why free, curiosity-driven homestays made all the difference
• The “secret sauce” behind a program that lasted over 10 years
• Cultural surprises between American and Spanish students
• How exchange travel changed the way these educators teach
• Language learning, vulnerability, and fearless communication
• Why trust between educators is essential for successful exchanges
• How everyday moments—markets, meals, transit—became the most powerful lessons

🌍 Key Takeaways

• The most impactful exchange programs are relational, not transactional
• Host families who want to host create deeper cultural immersion
• Travel experiences outside the classroom reshape empathy and teaching
• Cultural differences are best understood through shared daily life
• Some of the most meaningful lessons happen far beyond textbooks

💬 Favorite Quote

🎧 Listen & Watch

▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube
https://youtu.be/5nu9RnvsvJY

🔔 Subscribe to Cheryl’s Travel Blueprint for more stories about culture, education, and travel that truly changes lives.

🤝 Join the Conversation

Would you host a student just for the experience—not the money?
Who is someone who changed the way you travel, teach, or see the world?

Share your thoughts in the comments.