I’m Moving to Spain

It feels so strange to finally share the secret I’ve been keeping for the better part of the past year, but it’s finally happening. I’m moving to Spain.

To Madrid. Next month.

This is the realization of a dream I’ve had for such a long time. After a semester in London during college, I was hooked on the idea of life abroad. But one day during senior year, I discovered the unfortunate truth: it’s very difficult for Americans to get hired in other countries – especially recent college grads with degrees in advertising.

And so, after curling up on my extra-long twin bed and crying for a while (come on, senior year is stressful), I put this dream on the back burner.

I spent the past three years working for an awesome company in Kansas City where I traveled nearly every week. That made me happy. I’ve been paid well, had full benefits, and even gotten a healthy start on my retirement fund. I’ve racked up thousands of airline and hotel points and made per diem every day that I traveled. I’ve been comfortable and very secure. Many people – including my dad – have had long and happy careers at this company.

But.

Somewhere along the line, I found out that there are ways you can live and work abroad… legally! By teaching English.

And once I got that idea in my head

it was impossible to get out.

I decided I’d continue working for the time being and re-evaluate my situation in the future to see whether I was still interested. I set a reminder in my phone for a year from the day: Teach English abroad? Except I never really needed the reminder. I was sold on the idea from day one, and it would have taken something very extraordinary to change my mind.

So last fall, I officially made the decision to apply for the Auxiliares de Conversacion (NALCAP) program in Spain for the 2018-2019 school year.

It seems like the perfect fit. First of all, you don’t need any teaching experience or even any special certifications. All you need is to be a native English speaker with a bachelor’s degree. Check. From October to May/June, you work 12-16 hours a week in a public school as a “cultural assistant.” For this program, you don’t even have to know Spanish, because you’re supposed to be using English when speaking with the students. For this, you get paid a stipend between €750 and €1000 per month, depending on what city you’re in.

As I researched the program, learning about the application process and logistics, I realized that – although the program doesn’t have an age limit – most people who participate are brand-new college graduates. They haven’t started their careers yet. They’re taking something of a gap-year or two before heading home to the States and settling in for “real” jobs. So in that sense, I’m doing things in reverse order. I’ve had a career, and I’m leaving it behind.

But this doesn’t bother me. I appreciate the experience I’ve gained over the past three years. I’ve learned how to budget and live on my own, not to mention the skills I’ve acquired in my work. I’ve had the taste of corporate life, and I’m ready to try something a little more fluid and a lot more uncertain.

I know I can do this program for two years, guaranteed, if I want it. What I don’t know is what will happen after the two years. And that’s okay with me. I have a deep-seated faith that it’s all going to work out. Because for me, this is the only logical choice. The uncertainty is worth it for me to follow my dream.

I leave on September 5 🙂

 

-Cathy

Originally Published on August 3, 2018.