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
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 in order 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. So, I bought the Duo phone, popped my Read More
It’s all still very much a work in progress… by Kay on 26 January 2025 Posted in Life abroad Coffee and lingo… Saturday morning and I have arranged to meet up with one of my language exchange friends for coffee. She has very good English as a result of many years of language exchange with English visitors and teachers who have come and gone again. She has been attempting to help me with my Spanish Read More
Questionable managerial tactics! by Kay on 16 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Oh, but a Spanish birthday is just the best for a teacher! 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 Read More
Bashful beginnings! 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. 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 have been welcoming and great!) and Read More
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! Changeover… So, reflecting on my first week. It is still very much early days of course! However, I Read More
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. After eight years in the same job, the unknowing of what to expect in the morning is freaking me out! I have had no comments or notes about Read More
Lessons in bus etiquette! by Kay on 19 November 2024 Posted in Life abroad Travel cards are a go… Unfortunately, I don’t have a car in Spain and have no intentions of driving here. (It’s scary enough as a pedestrian, let alone being a driver amongst scary traffic and also having to be mindful of pedestrians!!). So, my new (and just generally getting out and about) job requires me Read More
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. So, I have arranged to meet up with someone from one of the exchange sites I joined in the summer. This particular exchange partner already speaks very good Read More
