How to Teach Abroad in Spain Housing. In larger Spanish cities the cost of living can be expensive and living in super-small spaces is common. Renters can expect to pay well over $1,000 USD per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Madrid. Finding roommates, either through your teaching abroad agency or school, hooking up with a host family, or finding onsite housing can end up saving heaps of money in the end.
Rural areas of Spain offer cheaper rent but think that is how you will save a ton of money. Teaching in a more metropolitan area such as Barcelona or Madrid will earn you a higher salary than a teaching gig in the Spanish countryside. Both rural and urban teaching positions in Spain offer amazing experiences and payment will reflect the cost of living.
Transportation and Weekend Getaways
If having a car isn’t in the budget for your time spent in Spain, fear not. Public transportation is excellent throughout the country. You can travel by train to major hubs, and then transport by bus, which travels to places trains don’t go.
Once in a major city, it is easy to get around via the Metro. Just take note the metros don't run 24 hours a day. During the week in Barcelona, they shut down at midnight and resume again around 5 a.m. with longer operating times on Friday and Saturdays.
Taking advantage of Spain's public transportation system is especially great for exploring other regions of the country on weekends off from teaching. From discovering the treasure trove of El Greco artworks in Toledo, to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site Alhambra Palace in Granada, to soaking up the sun in Costa Brava, there's no shortage of fabulous places to explore after the school day is over.
Culture
As with moving to any new country, it's wise to get acquainted with social norms of society sooner rather than later (as this will also save you a lot of frustration). Perhaps one of the largest culture shocks when living in Spain as an expat is adjusting to the Spanish clock. Timekeeping is a relative concept in the culture, so don’t be shocked if things start fashionably late. Except the midday siestas, of course.
Another important note is to take extra caution at pedestrian crossings. Drivers aren’t keen on always stopping. And be aware that directness in speech is part of their culture. While in other cultures, it may be considered extremely rude to tell someone their dress looks horrible on them, or they are overweight, this direct statement is common in Spain and not considered rude. On the contrary, it would be rude not to say something.
A major cultural staple throughout Spain is the general love of all things futbol, or soccer to those in the U.S. The games and teams are followed with passionate interest, so pick a team, and join in on the excitement.
Food
Depending on what country you’re from, the Spanish meal times may lag behind what you’re used to. Breakfast is typically eaten between 9 and 10 a.m., lunch between 2 and 3 p.m., and dinner between 9 and 10 p.m. There’s no such thing as “fast food” in this culture. Leisurely lunches are the norm, not the exception, and last around two hours.
Meal time in Spain is a social event, no matter if you are eating at home or dining out. Some popular regional delicacies are: gazpacho, a cold tomato-based veggie soup; paella, a rice dish considered by many non-Spaniards as the national dish of Spain; churros, pastry strips, deep fried and rolled in sugar and cinnamon; pisto, the Spanish version of France's ratatouille; and jamon iberico or Iberian ham. Tapas is another delight. This assortment of small appetizers, ranging from olives and cheeses, to peppers and squid, are enjoyed before dinner.
When in Spain, savor the Spanish wines. Ranging from Rioja reds, to refreshing Cavas, to deep Sherries, these delights will have you conversing in Spanish with your dinner party mates in no time. And, of course, you can always end the night with a chocolate favorite of kids and adults alike: Kinder Bueno bars. Yum!
Homesickness
Ahh, the dreaded homesickness. No matter the initial excitement over tapas and siestas, there’s bound to be a point where you miss your family, friends, and tried-and-true customs just a little too much. Fear not, there are always plenty of ways to combat this. Staying connected via social media is a great option. Posting Instagram photos of your travels, Facebook updates linking to your latest blog posts, and Tweets highlighting fun moments, are all great ways to stay in contact. Technology is great tool to help you to stay positive. Skype your loved ones, or check out funny videos online when you really need a pick-me-up.
Teaching abroad in Spain is much more than ticking a country off your bucket list. It’s about the lifelong relationships you will form with your students, students’ families, fellow teachers, and members of the community, and the experiences and memories you will surely acquire and forever cherish. Buena suerte!