Have you ever wondered what it’s like to move abroad?

This is one in a series of interviews with people who came from other countries to live here in Catalunya.  I asked the same questions that people often ask me, to see what different stories emerge. You can read them here over the next weeks.

Gabriela’s Story

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Before moving to Spain I lived almost three years in Cracow, Poland. During this period I met my boyfriend. As you probably guessed I gave up my career and moved to Catalonia because of him. 🙂  I love to travel, take photos and meet new people. I like tea, but I never drink coffee. And I´m in love with chocolate and cakes (and good food in general). 😀

How long have you lived here?

I moved to Catalonia in June 2014.

Are you working here and if yes, what do you do?

No, unfortunately I´m still searching for a job. I study Catalan twice a week.

Three favourite things about living here?

My boyfriend, great food, the most wonderful places I have ever seen.

Three things you don’t like about living in Catalunya?

It is hard to get a job here. Although I have several experiences usually I do not even get the opportunity to go for a job interview. For me, this is very frustrating. On the other hand, I can´t remember anything else that I wouldn´t like here. The people are friendly (even the drivers are very polite). 😀

What do you miss most about your ‘home’ country?

I definitely miss my family and my friends. And sometimes (when I feel homesick) I miss my hometown as well. You know, places I know from my childhood.

Three things you have learned about yourself or life since living here?

Uff!    That´s a hard one. Before moving abroad I never thought that I will be able to survive in a foreign country totally alone (without my family). Although at the beginning I had some problems in Poland, I was able to solve everything. Moving to Catalonia I had some problems as well (for example how will I get a NIE), but I already knew that I can achieve everything what I want. I think I´m much more open than I was 5 years ago. Living abroad you will realize that you need friends more than ever; a basis that gives you strength and energy to go further (even when you think you will give up and move back to your home country).

What language(s) do you speak in your daily life here?

I use English and Catalan with my boyfriend, my friends, in school. I still use Hungarian when I´m talking with my family and I use Slovak when I´m talking with my friends from Cracow.

Do you plan to return to your native country and in what circumstances would you definitely want to go back?

I don´t plan to move back to Slovakia.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of moving to this country?

Be wise and study all the law you will need in Spain (NIE, health insurance, etc). And never give up! 🙂

 

 

Gabriela also writes an interesting blog about her life here.  It is called  How to Feel Like Catalan and you can visit it by clicking HERE

This is the first in a series of interviews which I will be posting over the next few weeks while I am walking the Camino.  When possible I will also send short updates from my phone on how the walk is going.

Sign up  on this page to get all these posts delivered straight to your inbox.  More news from the Camino will be sent to The Catalan Way Facebook page so click a Like on there to follow my progress.

Are there any other questions you would ask someone about their life after moving to an new country?  Let us know in the comments and we will try to get some answers in a follow up post.