Heads Up: It’s a lengthy one! But certainly worth the read. A grand summary of the first week or so in Spain! Find more photos in the Gallery.

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There are many obstacles that one encounters when transitioning to living in a new place, no matter how foreign it is. However, moving to a place where your preferred language is not the common the one is a challenge unlike any I have encountered before. It has been a humbling experience so. It has been a just over a week since departing from the States and I feel like I’ve been gone for at least a month. Some of the biggest challenges thus far have been the deciphering the language, conquering public transportation, securing housing, and connecting with students in my new school. I have no doubt that I will continue to encounter unexpected challenges throughout my stay in Spain but I am so excited for what I will gain from it.

Deciphering Language

The #1 question I received before coming to Spain was “do you know Spanish??” Nope. My foreign language experience is limited to say the least, and my Spanish knowledge is almost nonexistent. I keep telling myself “duh, what did you expect??” when I hit a point of frustration with not knowing Spanish. But, a 106 day Duolingo streak (pretty proud) and some limited French knowledge (somehow took 4-6 years of it and retained nothing), has taken me surprisingly far already. Okay, maybe being able to order a beer or glass of wine plus my entree isn’t that surprising but it’s a step in the right direction! I can also ask people how they are!

It’s been hard to conquer the fear of feeling embarrassed while attempting to learn Spanish. But for every American *ahem* North American (they’ll make you specify which one, “American” encompasses all of them), that is feeling this way, there are at least 5 Spaniards that are feeling equally, if not MORE, embarrassed to attempt speaking English. Including my new head of school and many of the teachers I work with. Many of them will tell you “I can understand but my speaking *shakes head vigorously* no.” However, I know and I am constantly reminded by Christian, that I actually have to say Spanish words out loud in order to get better at it. I can’t just stick to reading all the signs in my head (thankfully a lot of them are in English). Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

I have gained an even greater sense of empathy for those that have chosen to move to the United States and learn English. It is no easy feat to take on a completely new culture. However, there are many aspects of life abroad that are so similar to being at home, and I have found great comfort in these connections. Specifically, there is always empowerment to be found in being able to communicate effectively, and to be heard and understood by others, no matter the language, time or place.

Conquering Transit

I’ve virtually doubled my step count since moving, receipts to prove it are below. I knew this change was coming and I was so looking forward to it. Since leaving Tennessee in the fall of 2021, I have been back almost once a month. The drive from Charleston to Knoxville is about 6 hours, and just under 400 miles. In addition to this drive, I was often (once/twice every 2-3 months) driving to Dothan, Alabama, about 8 hours and also around 400 miles away. Now, take that combined milage and add on the daily drives to and from school, the soccer complex for coaching (John’s Island is a long way from downtown and even further from Mount Pleasant), plus trips to the grocery, and other extraneous errands… Hours and hours just spent driving. Sure you can listen to music, or a podcast, but you still have to be “on.” It’s exhausting and there are countless times I have chosen not to do something or go somewhere I really wanted to go, just because I didn’t want to drive or deal with parking. Enter: Public Transit !

As previously mentioned, I was anticipating some drama when figuring out the trains and buses in Madrid. And Christian and I’s brief stop in NYC reminded me that I have NO idea which train to go on, and rarely in which direction we are moving. However, I knew that this deficit was going to have to be quickly overcome, as I would need to use it daily here. Thankfully, Madrid makes all of it’s public transportation extremely accessible through El Abono Transporte. Which is a small red plastic card with your picture on it that has the ability to take you on any train, or bus. Sounds expensive, right? Nope, if you are 25 or younger, you are considered “youth” and it costs 8 euros every 30 days. It’s amazing. If you are 26 or older (Sorry Christian), and depending which zones you may need to visit the cost of your Abono differs. However, paying 30ish euros every month for unlimited transport isn’t a bad gig either.

However, for me, actually acquiring the card was a different story. Apparently, this is one of those things that I could have done ahead of time that would have saved me a lot of grief. But, you live and you learn.

To set the scene, I had just finished my second full day of work and Christian had been deep in apartment hunting for us. (I will forever be grateful for that) Day 1 of work I got on the wrong train right off the bat. I was hoping for better luck on day 2. But, I did not set my self up for success. I hadn’t eaten since 11 and it was now 2 pm on my train ride home. I received a message from Christian saying we had secured a place and asked if I could come by to sign paperwork. I had my appointment for my Abono at 4:10, and he asked to meet at 3:30. Of course, I said yes, as I was desperately ready to unpack my three suitcases that had been living at Zach and Hannah’s. I knew I would be cutting it close but typically you have to wait in line for things like this, so I was banking on some extra time. However, I was not banking on getting completely lost in the station where I booked my appointment.

I exited the train in the Mendez Alvaro South Station, went up and up on all the escalators, followed all the signs I could but could not find the office. The escalators from the trains pop you out into a huge corridor that links to at least 50+ different bus lines, and probably have a dozen ticket stations. There are also restaurants and businesses lining the sides. I was completely overwhelmed and absolutely starving – tears were feeling imminent. I decided to be brave and ask for help, they always have a few workers, very clearly marked with high-vis gear, that can guide you in the right direction. I approached the man and in English plus the five Spanish works I know asked for help. No luck. He couldn’t help me and I was devastated and defeated.

I turned and walked in the opposite direction of the worker and called Christian saying “I give up. I can’t find it, I’m coming home. I’ll do it another day.” At this point, the tears were rolling and I had no idea where I was walking. I hung up, and looked around me. Immediately to my left was the office I was looking for. I was stunned. I quickly wiped my tears and went inside. There was no line and the appointment took less than 15 minutes. I walked out Abono card in hand and went home. I learned a big lesson about meeting my baseline (eating enough and sleeping enough) and how tumultuous my day can feel if I don’t.

Since that experience, I haven’t ended up on the wrong train or in the wrong place. And now I even enjoy a siesta on my train ride home after work, as does everyone else. I don’t think I physically know how to stay awake. It reminds me of being picked up from school as a young girl and falling asleep in my dad’s truck. No amount of will power can fight against that.

Home Sweet Home

Another feat of moving has been finding a home! However, Christian really took the lead on that. He was frontrunner on meeting with landlords, and owners, visiting apartments, and navigating phone calls – all in Spanish. Color me impressed. I have truly been blown away by him on this journey. I won’t get to mushy, I just feel so grateful.

I thought it might be fun for me to include some of his experiences directly so below is his brief account on the apartment hunting:

Thank goodness for the person who invented Idealista. The Madrid apartment market is fast, convoluted, and always manages to cost more money than what is posted on the ad. That said, with one eye glued to my notifications for about 96 hours straight, we were able to land a perfect little apartment with an even more perfect, huge terrace overlooking downtown. It is open for friends anytime (although the landlord said it has a max capacity of 5 lol).

After visiting a handful, and scoping apartments out on Idealista for months we actually ended up with one of the very first ones we found while still in the States! It is in Sol, which is as “downtown” as you can be in Madrid, with the Metro 5 minutes (walking) away. There are so many markets, restaurants, bars, and parks all within a 10 minute walk. It is a dream. A few pictures to highlight – and a video!

Crucial Connections

When accepting this position, as an Auxiliary teacher in a Bilingual school, I was anxious about my ability to connect with the students and teachers. I had worried that the language barrier would keep us from finding commonalities and creating friendships with one another. Thankfully, I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the very first day, I was graciously welcomed by smiling faces and people saying “we’ve been waiting for you to get here!!” It is such a wonderful feeling to be expected and wanted in an unknown space.

My school is located in Parla, which is about an hour by train (including 5 minutes of walking on either side) from my house. It is much smaller and quieter than the city center. I am working primarily with 3rd and 4th graders and later in the spring, I’ll be helping to prepare the 6th grade students from their Cambridge English Exams. The children are excitable and full of joy, and a love for learning. I have already received a handful of hugs in my first week! I was so impressed by their English level, as many of their classes are taught primarily in English by teaches who are bilingual. Very impressive kids, and even more impressive ladies.

The biggest points of connection between all of us so far have been: Takis, Harry Potter, Mario Kart, and my mom and dad’s names. I am so looking forward to growing my relationships with the students and teachers here.