Spanish bank experience and why I can never return! by Kay on 7 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Needing to transfer money home… On starting my new job, I needed to set up a Spanish bank account in order to receive my salary. Well, the school HR team set it up on my behalf! During the first week, a member of HR made the appointment at the local branch and then accompanied me Read More 7
Mobile credit aggravation! by Kay on 7 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Duo SIM… Before moving to Spain I opted to buy a duo SIM phone. I wanted to still be able to use my English number, but also to have a Spanish SIM card to avoid extra costs and ensure I got the network coverage that I needed for work and when out and about exploring. Read More 7
Starting a new teaching job abroad: Settling into life in Spain by Kay on 26 January 2025 Posted in Life abroad Starting a new teaching job abroad can be exciting, daunting and completely different from what you might expect or are used to. When I first moved overseas to teach, I had no idea quite how much there would be to learn and adapt to. Not just about teaching in another country, but about adapting to Read More 9
Questionable managerial tactics! by Kay on 16 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Fiesta time! Another week completed. The Autumn term certainly is in full swing! I am looking forward to learning about some of the different festivals (or fiestas I should say) in this region throughout the year and celebrating them in school with various activities with the children. I’m also looking forward to celebrating them in the Read More 2
Bashful beginnings! Those nerves and hiccups in starting a new job… by Kay on 7 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Dodgy cubicle doors… As well as the whole ‘settling in and getting used to routines’ of a new job there’s also the little teething problems. (Or, in my case, bashful beginnings!) Having to push yourself out of your comfort zone when you’re figuring it all out! For instance, other colleagues will help you out (and all Read More 5
Well I think I survived my first week! by Kay on 5 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Friday night… Here I am on Friday night. The end of my first full week in my new job, and I am exhausted. But, not quite enough to turn down a well-deserved beer or two with my new colleagues! As I sit and sip my beer on the sunny terrace, I take a sigh of relief Read More 13
First day of the new chapter… by Kay on 13 December 2024 Posted in Teaching Can’t sleep… It’s Tuesday night. Tomorrow will be the first day of term, and as per usual, like most term starts, I can’t sleep! But this time it’s obviously different. Tomorrow will be the first day of a new chapter. And after eight years in the same job, the unknowing of what to expect in the morning is Read More 11
Lessons in bus etiquette: What I learned about Spanish bus culture by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Life abroad Updated September 2026 Travelling by bus can be one of the easiest ways to experience a new destination, but bus etiquette isn’t always obvious when you’re unfamiliar with the local customs. Which I soon discovered, quite embarrassingly, after moving to Spain. Here’s what I learnt from my experiences, and what I’d now advise anyone else Read More 9
Meeting with the new head… by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Teaching Numero uno… So, numero uno of living in Spain. I wanted to give myself a few days before starting work to familiarise myself with my new surroundings. And, I had a meeting with the new head before the start of term. But before that, I had arranged to meet up with someone from the Conversation Read More 4
Bye bye Blighty: Leaving the UK to teach abroad by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Life abroad After years of teaching in the UK, the day had finally arrived: I was leaving Britain to start a new chapter teaching abroad. From my last drive to work and final day of term to saying goodbye to family, friends and everything familiar. This was the moment my life as an international teacher was beginning. Read More 17
