From Boston to Madrid

¡Hola! Bienvenido a mi blog. 

My name is Caroline and I’m originally from Boston, just about 20 minutes north of the city. I graduated from the University of Maryland in 2023 with a degree in Communications. Since then I have spent my time searching for a way to move abroad. In college, I was lucky enough to get to study abroad for a semester in Florence. My time there was absolutely incredible and I knew I had to find my way back to Europe.

Post-grad I worked a serving job in a country club while I tirelessly looked for jobs while also considering what route could get me abroad. I had heard about people going off to grad schools in various European cities, or backpacking or doing this – teaching English. I was hoping to get a job that could send me to their office overseas but that was a huge dead end. I ended up taking a job in hotel events which I really enjoyed and it was great for the time being but after being there a year, I knew I was ready to move on. 

I never had thought teaching would be the path for me but after hearing so many positive experiences from people I know who have done it, I was sold. I knew the most important thing would be getting abroad and being able to immerse fully in the culture and what better way to do that than work in schools with native speakers? 

A few years ago one of my closest friends' sisters had done this through CIEE and she had the best time and ended up staying in Madrid for four years. I knew I had to apply immediately. Now six months later, after struggling with visa delays, I finally made it here. 

Although I’ve only been here for just over a week, I already feel so at home. This city is so full of life and so beautiful. Stepping out of your comfort zone is scary – leaving behind what you know and moving to a foreign country is not an easy thing to do but it has already been so rewarding. This experience is one that cannot be traded for anything and I am so excited to get to share this adventure with you. ¡Vamos!