One Month Abroad! | Living In Spain

Hey guys, welcome back to the blog. I’ve been abroad for a month and a couple weeks now and I’m finally starting to feel less like a confused tourist and more like a -almost- local!

This blog post is all about settling, working and everything I’ve been up to. Enjoy!

Settling In

Moving anywhere can be hard, whether it is down the street, across the country, or to a new continent. Coming to Madrid, I knew it wasn’t going to be a simple, overnight experience but, I also thought it would’ve at least been a tad bit easier.

When I first arrived in the city, my excitement was high. I couldn’t wait to tackle my to-do list and make my dreams come true but that wasn’t the case. I only had a week until I started work and had orientation, needed to find an apartment, furnish said apartment, get wifi, get a sim card, complete more legal things needed for my program and the country and so much more. I was stressed with a T.

Lets take a backtrack. I was blessed enough to stay in a sort of “host” home with an older woman who not only gave me accommodation but food. I am very appreciative of her hospitality and everyone who helped in me staying there but those two weeks felt as though my money was draining. From paying her and transportation.

I was staying in Alcala de Henares, which is about an hour and a forty-five-minute commute from the city center and In Madrid, there’s a Metro card for people under the age of 26 called the Abono card, which I did not have and trying to get one was extremely aggravating.

You couldn’t do walk-ins at train stations and had to book an appointment online and surprise…everything was backed up. It wasn’t until the other girl also staying in the house mentioned going to the Renfe train station and getting one and boy was I happy. 20 euros a month? Yes please. But next on my list was getting an apartment. Ooof.

Now, I wish the program assisted in finding us a home but nope. It was all up to us to contact realtors and I swear I contacted everyone in the city. I was calling and emailing realtors every second of the day it took almost two weeks to find a place. I am so grateful and am no longer late to work (school is thirty minutes away) and can have an easier week.

With having an apartment, I had to obviously furnish it and get wifi. It took almost a full month to get wifi and because of that, my SIM card ran out of data and let’s say it was a hard time lol. Contacting others was hard and I was so bored and not doing much of anything. You don’t realize how much you depend on technology until you don’t have it for almost a month. But now, I finally have wifi, furniture, and a fridge stocked with food.

I finally feel settled in and way less anxious than I was a month ago.

Work

I started work about a week after I arrived in Madrid and I honestly wish I had arrived at least two weeks prior. My first week (and month) abroad felt like a whirlwind!

As I said, I stayed in Alcala De Henares and I was late to work the entire first week. I am someone who hates being late and showing irresponsibility (even if it isn’t my fault) and disappointing others. It gives me extreme anxiety and feel like shit lol.

So, once I moved into my apartment, I was so happy and content even without a bed and other furniture at the time. I was able to be on time and more prepared with my week.

Now in terms of actual working, it has been interesting to say the least. Growing up, I always played school and would set up my toys as my students and now that I have to actually teach real children…I wish they were my toys.

Don’t get me wrong, children are awesome (I’ve always wanted kids) but, when they don’t listen and start yelling, I feel like sending an apology email to my elementary school teachers. So, the biggest struggle I’ve had has been dealing with the frustrations of trying to stay calm and teach my lessons.

I’ve also learned that I chose the right career; being a journalist. Teaching is not for me -though I am appreciative of this experience- but writing, filming, and interviewing is all me. The kids are great, especially when they listen and I have had great lessons with them.

I’ve created a bond with some of the students and truly have fun with certain activities. Also, putting together events such as the Halloween one we did was amazing and seeing the excitemnt in the kid’s eyes was fulfiling.

Also, my coworkers and the main teachers are very nice, open and kind. I enjoy going to work and hanging out with everyone there.

Fun

I thought I would be able to do everything I’ve wanted to but this wasn’t a vacation and rather a move. At first I was upset but now I understand that everything had to get done first. I had priorities and exploring had to wait.

But, running errands has been honestly fun. I’ve been able to learn the city and the metro from running around, sight seeing through bus windows and as someone who loves home stores, finding new ones has been an exploration in itself.

As well as going out to eat and get drinks with my coworkers has also been fun. Trying new restaurants and foods is fun in itself.

So, to wrap it all up, my first month was whirlwind of different things and emotions. From stressing out about money and finding a place to live to creating new bonds and just being in a new country, I’m having fun and can’t wait to see what’s more to come!

I hope you enjoyed.

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Shay!, Bye!