Teach Abroad Experience in Spain (2023-2024)

Teaching Experience in Spain

Celine Marquez (class of 2023) shares her teach abroad experience through the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP).

I arrived at Málaga Airport at 2AM in late September last year. I had a 9 hour layover in Lisbon where I faced thirty degree weather with my carry on luggage and heaviest clothing so by the time I got to Spain I was exhausted. My excitement overpowered any feelings of fatigue and I was overly eager to finally be able to speak to my uber driver and practice the Spanish I had been learning in university for 4 years. I will always remember that drive as the official start of my Spanish immersion. 

After sleeping for about 11 hours, I finally woke up and met my host family (who I met through a teacher I was in contact with before arriving in the country). They live in a beautiful traditional Spanish house, a 10 minute car ride outside of Marbella Center and a 20 minute walk from a stunning beach. They welcomed me with such warmth and openness into their family that to this day I have not had a moment to feel lonely or unhappy. Once I recovered from my jetlag, I quickly began my exploration of my new home. I bought a bus card and a phone plan, I learned my route to and from school and met up with other auxiliares de conversación who resided and worked in Marbella. 

Much like my host family, my work colleagues were just as welcoming. My first day of school was such a treat! The teachers and children alike were so happy to have me at their school that they showered me with treats and cards. 

Fast forward six months later and I have adjusted to the cultural changes, my Spanish has notably improved (my uber driver would be proud!), I have made incredible friends and I have been exploring some of the 5 lifetimes worth of things to do and see in Spain. So far I have seen the views of the vast countryside of Ronda, the white town of Setenil, I’ve visited La Alhambra and experienced flamenco in the caves of Granada. I’ve been to Cádiz for carnaval, done the spellbinding Caminito del Rey, I’ve experienced winter in the windy and rainy San Sebastián, went skiing in Sierra Nevada and danced my way through Pamplona and Barcelona. I’ve got more adventures planned and I have even reapplied to teach for another year because there is just so much to see that I need more time!

Of course, much like anything we decide to do in life, there will be challenges that we must conquer. In my case, every difficult moment has been worth it. Spain is an incredibly gorgeous country rich in culture and tradition, and I am endlessly grateful to NALCAP for providing me with the opportunity to get to live this experience.