Moving To Spain: 3 Things I've Learned

It's hard to believe that it has been almost two months since I moved to Madrid! The time has flown by, but it also feels like I've been here for an eternity. The past two months have definitely had their fair share of ups and downs. I have learned so much about myself and about my new home. Out of all of the challenges faced and lessons learned, there are a few that stick out that I would like to share!

1. Vacationing abroad and moving abroad are two very different experiences. 

While I knew that living in Spain would be a different experience than just visiting,  I had to come to terms with the fact that moving to a new country would not be the glamerous highlight reel of travel experiences I constantly saw plastered on my social media. While those amazing moments definitely exist, they only account for a portion of the experience. Believe it or not, life in Spain is still life! There are still errands to run and bills to pay and paperwork to fill out. This is especially true when you're an expat. Even after acquiring a visa in the states, there is a lot of documentation and paperwork to do once you arrive in Spain. Also, if you hadn't heard yet, Spanish beaurocracy can be very slow and frustrating. At first, I felt so much pressure to be having an amazing time all of the time and that's not realisitic. It is not all fun all of the time and that's okay. 

2. Culture shock is real.

Maybe this seems obvious to those who have traveled a lot, but I had only been to Europe once for a short trip before moving to Madrid. I knew there would be differences, but I couldn't imagine that Spain would be that different from the U.S. I was wrong! Spain might not be that different compared to other cultures, but I didn't realize how much the little differences would stick out to me. Here are just a couple examples: Spaniards stay up waaaayyy later than Americans. Dinner doesn't usually start until 9:30/10pm and people often stay out until 5/6am! Spaniards are also way more publically affectionate and touchy than Americans. AC and clothes dryers are not a thing here, either. These differences aren't good or bad, they're just differences. The point is that it can sometimes be exhausting to navigate these little differences, especially when I'm tired or stressed. Sometimes I want to be able to run into a Target and grab all the things I need. Sometimes I want to go through a Dunkin drive through. Sometimes I want to throw my sweatshirt in the dryer and be able to put it on warm.  Of course, these are just little things. It's a beautiful thing to experience another culture, but that doesn't mean it will always be comfortable. When I find myself feeling overwhelmed, I remind myself that discomfort is where we grow and learn, and that the discomfort is a privilege! 

3. The people are the best part.

I've found that throughout pretty much every phase of life, it's been the people that have made it worthwhile. This holds true for living and teaching in Spain. My students have been the absolute best part of my experience here. It always makes my day to see how excited they are to see me. When I am having a tough day, I remember that I'm here to help them learn and succeed. I have also met many wonderful people through CIEE who have made me feel less alone during this time of transition. Even my friends and family at home have been so integral to my experience here. They have offered love and support on tough days and excitement on good days. Moral of the story is that no matter where you are in the world, there will be kind people to lean on. 

These three things barely scratch the surface of what I've learned during my short time in Spain, and I cannot wait to see how else I grow in the coming months. If you take anything away from this blog post, let it be that challenges and struggles are gifts, and teaching abroad is undoubtedly worth it. Until next time!