Settling into Life in Illescas

Hey everyone!

I’m Anna, and I’ve just finished my first month as a volunteer here in Spain with Ecocompartimos. Time really flies! When I first arrived, everything was so new — the people, the language, the rhythm of life — but now I’m starting to feel more and more at home.

My work has been super fun and very diverse. I do English activities with kids, teenagers, and Moroccan women, and every group is totally different — which makes each day interesting! With the kids, we play games and do creative activities while learning English, and it’s amazing to see how fast they pick up new words. The teenagers are full of energy, so our classes are always lively. With the Moroccan women, we focus more on English conversations, and I really enjoy the cultural exchange that happens during those sessions.

Every Wednesday, I also go to Numancia, where I help with English lessons and support the local team. I really like it there — the atmosphere is always nice, and it feels great to help the kids and youngsters learn something new while also having fun.

I’m also super motivated to keep improving my Spanish. Little by little, I understand more, and I’ve started to speak more with locals. It’s such a nice feeling to connect more deeply with the culture.

I’m really enjoying my life here in Illescas — it’s a lovely and peaceful town, and I already feel very comfortable living here. And I have to say — I’ve totally fallen in love with Madrid! Every time I go there on the weekend, I discover something new — beautiful streets, cozy cafés, and that amazing city energy.

This first month has been full of new experiences, laughter, and learning. I’m really enjoying my time here and looking forward to the next months — to discovering more about Spain, meeting new people, and continuing this beautiful adventure.

¡Hasta pronto!