Living in Madrid: Amelies journey in Spain

My journey of working abroad

I've always had a passion for travel, starting with my time in a travel agency during my apprenticeship. While studying International Tourism Management, the chance to explore a new country while working in tourism seemed like a perfect fit. It wasn't just a requirement - it was an exciting opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and gain more experience. It was the adventure I needed, to make my dream of combining travelling and working abroad a reality! 

Discovering Madrid

I chose Madrid to improve my Spanish and to be in Europe, because of the good working conditions. It turned out to be a great decision. The city's vibe and culture have made it easy to grow professionally and find myself in a new, exciting lifestyle. There's always something cool to do or a new place to discover. I loved finding green spaces like Parque del Oeste and hanging out at Templo de Debot for sunset picnics. Rooftop terraces, bars and clubs were a blast and if you're in Madrid, you must try La Buha for tortillas, Chocolatería San Ginés for churros and any bar in Malasaña for tinto de verano. 🍷

Adjusting to a new life after moving countries

Before I left, I had doubts about making friends and adjusting to a new country. Moving abroad can be daunting, but it's also an exciting chance for new experiences! I worried about things like the NIE number (Spanish tax number) and finding housing, but with my company’s help, it was much simpler than expected. To find housing abroad, I used Idealista, a popular site, and my company’s useful contacts. Quickly, I discovered a fantastic shared flat with three wonderful Spanish roommates. It was a perfect way to dive into the local culture and make new friends from day one. In Madrid, I faced language barriers and a new work culture, for example summer working times, which means working less hours during summer and more during winter time. Nevertheless, these challenges helped me grow, build confidence, and embrace the Spanish lifestyle!

Connecting with new people

One of the biggest highlights of my adventure abroad was how quickly I made new friends. Bumble Friends and my fantastic colleagues made it easy to connect with locals, and living close to the city centre gave us plenty of opportunities to explore Madrid together after work. Even though we're now in different countries, I still keep in touch with many of those friends. These connections were a great help during moments of homesickness, as chatting with friends in similar situations and regular calls to my family kept me grounded. Moving, living and working abroad was an incredible experience, and the friendships I made along the way made it even more special! 

Take the leap

Thinking about working abroad but feeling a bit nervous? Here's my advice: go for it! Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to incredible growth. Every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn, and the personal and professional rewards are well worth it. Living and working abroad turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life, filled with unforgettable moments and lifelong friendships. I loved it so much that within a month of graduating, I packed my bags and moved back to Spain! If you're ready to start your own adventure, I promise it will be worth every step!

Feeling inspired to start an exciting journey in Spain? Dive into the adventure of working abroad, embrace new experiences and start your next chapter abroad. Explore vacancies in Spain and take the first step towards your adventure abroad!