Life After Graduating: Why I’m Teaching English in Spain (and how you can too!)

From Graduate to Globetrotter

After 4 years of tech-neck and poor posture from endless studying, 1 identity-crises-fueled gap year, and 3 indecisive major switches, I finally graduated in December of 2024 from Florida Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics.

Following graduation, linguists typically branch into one of a few paths: teaching, grad school, speech therapy, research, or technology. Having all these options before me, I could see myself happy in all of them, yet none of them felt like the “right” one. The only thing I knew for sure? I wanted to travel and earn money at the same time—exactly what teaching abroad offers.

Why Spain?

CIEE offers teach-abroad programs with countries like Spain, South Korea, Thailand, and more! Though I could see myself enjoying teaching abroad in any country, there’s 3 main reasons I chose Spain:

1. Improve my Spanish skills

A 2023 census by Instituto Cervantes and Harvard University estimates around 23 million people are learning Spanish as a foreign language. While I already speak an advanced level of Spanish, I still want to improve my language skills—making living in a Spanish-speaking country a no-brainer. Whether you’re a beginner or native-like, immersion is one of the best ways to improve your language skills! 

2. Support system

Though I look forward to creating new friendships abroad, I’m incredibly lucky to have relatives living in Spain and to have a support system as soon as I arrive. While I won’t see them often since they’re spread across the country, I know that whenever I feel lonely or homesick, I’ll have people there to support me.

3. Familiarity with the culture

Language is a sum of its parts; it’s influenced by the history, art, culture, and gastronomy of the people that speak it.

Thankfully, my time at university introduced me to these aspects of Spanish culture that helped me understand and have an idea of what to expect when moving abroad. Spanish culture is much more relaxed than the hustle-bustle culture of the U.S. and Spaniards prioritize work as much as they do a glass of wine. 

If you’re someone that loves being on-the-go, a country with a similar fast pace of life may be better for you. But for me? This slower rhythm is a welcome change in pace after graduation.

Why I Chose to Teach Abroad with CIEE

In my last year of university, my amazing professors from the Spanish department introduced me to programs like NALCAP and, through my own curious research, CIEE. I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do—but which program to choose? Despite their similarity, there’s many reasons why I chose to teach abroad with CIEE over other programs:

Guaranteed placement in Madrid

Although other programs offer placements in various regions of Spain, Madrid is by far the most competitive placement, and for good reason. The capital offers countless benefits: buzzing social hours, convenient public transportation, impressive shopping hubs, and a welcoming atmosphere for foreigners.

Personally, choosing Madrid for my first time living abroad felt like the right move—it comes with a built-in support system that only a foreigner-friendly capital can give to expats.

Luckily, CIEE guarantees a placement within the Madrid region and even lets you pick your preference of living closer or further away from the city center!

Guidance every step: application to arrival

I remember sitting at my desk—drowning in a maze of papers, empty coffee mugs, a million open tabs, and the kind of stress that makes you shed actual hair—wondering how I was supposed to type in a very defiant PDF that clearly didn't want to be typed in.

Thankfully, CIEE's staff has been guiding me every step of the way. They've provided detailed and easy-to-follow instructions on how to navigate the most overwhelming parts of moving abroad: visa applications, what to pack, health insurance, opening a bank account—you name it. 

With T-minus two weeks until my departure flight lifts off, I already feel more prepared than I expected. They're even going to meet me at the airport and shuttle me to a hotel for a five-day orientation to help us settle in and get adjusted to life abroad. 

I can confidently say that CIEE’s guidance and communication have been an incredible stress-reliever. If it weren’t for them, I’d be arriving to Spain looking eerily similar to Mr. Clean—minus the muscles and monochrome attire.

75 years of trusted excellence

Founded in 1947, CIEE has been going “abroad” and beyond for more than 75 years, sending thousands of students, teachers, and professionals overseas. Recognized as a trusted and reputable non-profit leader in the study and teach abroad community, CIEE's long-standing track record gave me the confidence that I had chosen the right program. 

How to know if teaching abroad is right for you?

Living and teaching abroad is a life-changing opportunity, but whether or not you should take the leap depends on your goals, personality, and comfort with uncertainty. Here’s a quick checklist to know if teaching abroad is right for you:

□ Do you want to improve your language skills or learn a new one?

□ Are you excited by the idea of traveling and living in a different culture?

□ Do you enjoy working with students and helping others learn?

□ Are you flexible and able to adapt when plans change or go awry?

□ Are you organized and able to stay on top of deadlines?

□ Are you emotionally resilient and able to tolerate uncertainty?

□ Do you want to step out of your comfort zone?

□ Do you see this as a chance to grow personally and professionally?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, congratulations! Teaching abroad might be the perfect next step. 

Before you decide, make sure to check out my other posts as well as stories from other teachers here on the CIEE blog. The more perspectives you get, the clearer it'll become whether this is the right decision for you.