In case you were wondering... (logistics of this move!)

I found out about this because a friend did it.  It’s a program the Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport does—they hire 2,500ish of us to have this position across the country because they know learning the language from a native speaker is more effective.  So, I’m going officially (which has its own hassles and rewards.)

Yes, I do get paid.  Not very much at all, but enough to live on.  Plus I get European health insurance.  Not sure what to expect there, but it will exist!

No, they don’t give me accommodations.  I have to figure that out on my own.   Everything I’ve heard and read has said to wait until I’m there to find something—don’t commit online ahead of time.  So, my mom and I are planning to go out a few weeks early so I can find something.  Although, the e-mail I just got from my school seemed to indicate they might be able to point me in the right direction.  Fingers crossed!

I’m not staying forever.  At least, I don’t think so. Certainly not doing this.  This is a one year program and I’m there on a student visa. I don’t have a continuing contract job or the right to stay and work as it currently stands. 

I didn’t give up my job to do this.  I qualified for a year leave of absence from Fairfax County Public Schools.  I’m guaranteed a job to come back to after a year  No, they don’t guarantee it will be in the same school at the same position.  I’m guaranteed an English teaching job in the county somewhere.  I’m still in the Instructional Coach pool.  I can apply for jobs and there is certainly the potential I could be back at my old school in some capacity.  But that part isn’t guaranteed.  The overall job is, and my sick leave and retirement are just put on hold, waiting for me to come to back. 

I rented my condo, mostly furnished (except the living room).  It felt good to give away some things, sad to realize how much money I had spent on stuff I didn’t need or even use, and worries me that I’ll need to condense life into a few suitcases in a few months. 

I have the most supportive parents you could possibly imagine.  Yours might tie mine, but they definitely don’t beat them.  They have been helpful, kind, selfless, and very importantly, have listened when i’ve said that certain jokes won’t play well in my current mental state.  They also drove down together, helped me load up a truck, drove back in separate cars, unloaded all of my things into their garage, returned the truck, and helped me avoid a mental breakdown by telling me it was in fact a smart idea.  And then said it was no problem when I started to express gratitude.  Like I said, they’re the best. 

I didn’t get to choose my exact placement, only my region (Andalucia.)  I asked for a secondary school and luckily got it! 

I work October 1 to May 31.  For 12 hours a week.  Yup, that’s right.  12 hours a week. 

No, I’m not fluent in Spanish.  If I have context and the speaker is not terribly emotional, I can often understand a decent amount of what’s being said in Spanish.  I’m not nearly as good at speaking it.  A good deal of what I’ve learned was from teenage boys from El Salvador and Honduras and Guatemala.  Therefore, a lot of words that are not appropriate for polite conversation.  I’m not fluent.  But that’s part of the point.  I want to be.  At the very least, I want to be easily conversational. 

This is what’s happening in my life and I welcome questions or comments or anyone who’s interested in visiting. I’m also willing to come visit anyone who will be on the continent over the next year.  I want to fill up my passport and see it all!