real life stories

Living in Catalunya 6 – what’s it really like? Michael

~ Kate Wilson ~ 1 Comment

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live abroad?

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

MICHAEL’S STORY

living in Catalunya
And remember that Catalunya is not Spain!

 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m an English teacher living in Barcelona, married to a Catalan and bringing up our child here.

How long have you lived here?

13 years

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

Yes, I’m an English teacher.

Three favourite things about living here?

Enjoying my family, my life and being a parent here. Enjoying the climate and the virtually permanent sunshine. Eating good healthy food and the whole experience of shopping and cooking fresh food (the clichéd Mediterranean diet).

Three things you don’t like about life here?

Corrupt fascist politics, politicians and businessmen. Pickpockets and the lax laws that make it easy for them to operate with virtual impunity. Mass tourism and the failure of the the city authorities to prevent Barcelona city centre from becoming a theme park (or perhaps that is in fact their goal).

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

Being closer to my parents and family, and not being able to be there for them in times of need. The countryside, national parks and the smells and senses of being immersed in them. Being able to visit places I love with ease and frequency (ie. I can still visit from here, but the time I spend when I’m there has a premium to it which means I have to prioritise and therefore never get to do some of the things I love).

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

That I can make it here, survive a new way of living, and come to love it. Many things unrelated to having moved here, but more to do with greater experience, wisdom, family and parenting, and having the privilege of living with a child and sharing their experience of discovering their world. That I had to stop eating croissants, ‘cos my cholesterol went through the roof!

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

English and Spanish, whilst receiving but not producing Catalan.

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

If I go back it’ll be related to caring for my parents, but not really for any other reason.

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

Take it easy!  Don’t expect your own standards of efficiency or punctuality, equal opportunities (don’t exist) or health and safety (what’s that?). Give yourself more time than you expected to have to, to soak it all up and find your place here. Learn about Catalonia and remember that “Catalonia is not Spain” is not a tacky slogan, it’s a reality.  Enjoy the adventure!

 

Have you read all six interviews?  Were there any questions you would have asked these people about their experiences? Do let us know in the comments and I will try to do a follow-up later in the year.

This post is scheduled to be the final interview for the moment but I have some more people who would like to join in with their stories so perhaps later this year I will make space for some more. It would be interesting to hear from more men, and from people from different countries or who have been living here for many more years. Let me know if you would like to contibute.

Meanwhile, follow my posts by signing up to receive them directly to your inbox and for more photos and information about Catalunya, click LIKE on the facebook page.

Thank you so much for your support and for visiting my blog

 


 

Living in Catalunya 4 – what’s it really like? Helen

~ Kate Wilson ~ Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Catalunya?

Or just to move abroad?

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

living abroad
just in case you need to head for the hills

Helen’s Story

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’ve been here for 11 years with my partner and children, following my partner’s quest for lifestyle change. Thought I’d integrate once I mastered the language, didn’t realise how big culture is in the way we live and feel. I like the outdoors so love the chance to live outside more, but I hate the hot summers.

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

Yes, run a small rural tourism business from our home. Volunteer with Age Concern in Spain (previously professionally employed in the same field). Give shelter to abandoned animals.

Favourite things about living in Catalunya? 

Diverse environments and mainly wonderful weather, going skiing in winter, not working 9 to 5, tactile culture and gentler, safer environments in which to bring up teenagers

Three things you don’t like about life here? 

Bureaucracy, managing culture differences and feeling like an outsider more often than not, having less real friends less often. The flipside of not working 9 to 5 – longer hours, difficult work/life balance and being less financially secure

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

Retailing- supermarkets with lots of choice and competitive pricing.  M&S, TK Max, boot sales and charity shops- but the odd visit deals with that; popping in to see friends and family, familiar landscapes

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

Life is short so trying new things and getting out of the comfort zone is worth it, maybe.  ‘Can do’ attitude definitely required as challenges abound.  Real friends and shared cultural references are really important to have from time to time. Recreating or rediscovering your identity takes a time.

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

English, Spanish and understand Catalan which is spoken to me a lot. Plus French and German for the business.

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

Not really, but aware that practically, if you have health problems and not enough resources to pay for care, ensure you have a reliable advocate, this is not a good place to be. I guess if I had no family here, I might be persuaded to go back if my immediate family were there.

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

Plan well, and assume you (and any partner) are mortal, so include that in your planning of eventualities.  Expect there to be at least as many challenges as opportunities, downs as ups etc.. Give yourself an escape route, in case it doesn’t work out.  Learn Catalan

Visit Helen’s web site for more information about the holiday cottages.

This is one 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.  News from the Camino will also be sent to The Catalan Way Facebook page so click a Like on there to follow my progress.

Living in Catalunya – what’s it really like? Number 2

~ Kate Wilson ~ Leave a comment

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.

living abroad
it is worth it

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.