This week’s fabulous lady is Christine Medina, of Christine In Spain. Read what she’s got to say about the best place for Spanish eats, tips for becoming an expat and more!
GGG: First things first, who are you and how did you end up living abroad?
I’m Christine Medina and I’m a travel blogger, freelance writer and English teacher living in sunny Andalusia, Spain. I ended up abroad after graduating early, and having an “aha!” moment when I realized that I was at a fork in the road. I could either continue down the path of searching for a job amidst the height of the recession, or alternatively fulfill a life-long dream of learning Spanish and living abroad. I chose the latter, and despite the homesickness, am so glad I did!
GGG: Making a living as an ex-pat can be a challenge. How did you manage to find work, and do you have any tips for ladies who want to do the same?
I first came to Spain as an au pair because I thought it would be a great way to learn the language being immersed in a family environment–not to mention free room and board! After 8 months, I finished the au pair job, and I realized I wasn’t ready to finish my time living in Spain, so I started seeking out ways in which I could stay. I went through a couple of language academies’ hiring processes only to be hired and consequently fired because they were ultimately unwilling to sponsor my visa (a long and costly process for both parties) so, I essentially created my own business teaching English to make easy money while I started exploring my real passion– writing.
In terms of finding legal ways to stay, expat life is extremely challenging at times, especially when you’re not from an EU country. All I can say is it has been a lot of time, red-tape and bureaucracy in trying to find a solution–but the finish line is in sight!
For ladies who want to make the move to Spain in particular, I recommend a few options. Come do a Master’s here or take language classes and get your student visa that way, apply for the North American Language and Culture Assistant program which places you as a teaching assistant in a public school or come as an au pair.
GGG: Have you had any particular experience or been to any certain countries that really sparked your excitement for travel?
Without a doubt, studying abroad in Greece was all the convincing I needed to put off jumping into a career after graduating from college. I think that first big trip you take out of your country on your own, lights a fire that’s hard to ignore. You’re exposed to new things: new people, new cuisines, new ways of thinking and are forced to examine yourself and where you fit in in the bigger picture. Though study abroad isn’t the most independent way of traveling, it was a great first step for me, and being in an intellectual environment in a really unique research-based study abroad program that involved interviewing Greeks on a daily basis (regarding the protests, fires of 2007, government, media and more) only sparked a thirst for more knowledge and eye-opening experiences.
GGG: When you moved to Spain, you had to adjust to living in a whole new culture AND learn a new language! What are some tips for bridging the language gap in a new land?
I would advise coming to the country with more knowledge of the language than I had! I knew a handful of words at most, and definitely struggled for awhile. But, I was persistent about doing language exchanges (highly recommended!) and that sped up the learning process. If you are trying to learn a language I would definitely recommend those, watching TV/movies in your target language, finding reading material of interest, and listening to podcasts. The biggest misconception about language learning is that you have to subscribe to the same formula as the next person to achieve success. Ultimately, through trial and error, you’ll find a learning process that works for you.
GGG: Living in one place as an ex-pat is definitely different from traveling around the world full-time. What are a few of your favorite things about having a foreign home?
I’ve done both (though admittedly am much more experienced as an expat!), so I can say they are two completely different things. When traveling non-stop, I know you can definitely experience travel fatigue. As a traveler, you can just take a few days out to rest, or move on to a new place and be over it. When you’re an expat, it’s a culture fatigue. All those quirks and things you thought were charming at first, may or may not still be months or years into it. But it’s up to you to accept it as is because you’ll always be the foreigner.
Despite this, I’d take being an expat any day over traveling full-time. I would never want to get to the point to where I’ve traveled for so long, that nothing is exciting anymore, or worse, that I take it for granted. I love being immersed in a culture different than my own on a level that a traveler really can’t. My expat experience has been such an incredible personal challenge, and deeply rewarding as well.
GGG: Spain is definitely known for its amazing food, especially tapas; do you have a favorite region for food and drink?
In short, YES! Basque Country is undoubtedly my favorite region for food and drink in Spain. They’re known for their daring chefs who create dishes that are bursting at the seams with flavors you’d never imagine together, but that somehow still work. They’re a society centered around food: men created communal kitchens called txokos to gather together and cook for fun, professional chefs have been known to come in for cooking lessons at the local schools and nearly everyone you meet is helplessly infatuated with their local food and drink. Though I’ve met people unimpressed with Spanish food (which is delicious too!), I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t like Basque food.
GGG: How has it been living in Spain with the Euro Zone issues and financial problems that are occurring right now? Have you found that it has affected your life or work there?
Fortunately, no, it really hasn’t affected me personally. However, it’s heartbreaking to see an entire generation of young people graduating from university into an economy much, much worse than what I encountered back home when I graduated. The news is constantly full of people losing their houses to the banks, businesses shutting down and taxes going up. The unemployment rate is 24% and for people under 25, a staggering 50%! Spain has the highest unemployment rates in the whole EU and the future of the country is uncertain, but if I’ve learned anything about the Spanish, it’s that they have a tenacity to them, and will get through this.
GGG: If you had to relocate to another foreign country, where would it be and why?
At one point, it would have been Greece, because that country will always be so special to me due to my time studying there. However, I’m not sure if I’d want to seek out an expat experience there now with the way things are going–but visit, of course! I’d be open to almost anywhere for a new experience, but France, Australia, Thailand and Mexico all sound tempting! Heading back home for awhile sounds equally appealing as well. I say awhile because I know my wanderlust would kick in after a year or two!
GGG: Last one! What’s your favorite off-the-beaten-path small town in España?
Lekeitio in Northern Spain’s Basque Country. It’s everything you could want from a place: beautiful beaches, great hiking, good restaurants and friendly locals! It’s known as the San Sebastian of the Vizcaya province.
Sounds like a great place to check out! Thanks, Christine, and good luck! For more about Christine’s life as an expat in Andalucia, check out her blog at Christine in Spain, tweet with her @christinenspain or find her on Facebook.
All photos are courtesy of Christine Medina.
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