One Year Review

One Year Review Since Moving Overseas

This month marks one year since I left New Zealand without a return flight. I departed in July, stayed with family, traveled for four months with my best friend, and then settled in Valencia, Spain. Although I am half Spanish, this was my first time moving to Spain, navigating this country, and living in a city without any family. It was an opportunity to explore more of my own culture.

Since then, I’ve completed my first semester teaching English. It feels right to reflect on the highs, lows, and learnings along the way.

Learning Point #1: There has to be a first time for doing anything – give yourself credit for not knowing how to navigate a situation you haven't been in before.

Navigating new situations can be daunting, and it's important to give yourself credit for tackling them head-on. When I was looking for accommodation in Valencia, I was overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. I had no idea how to navigate the process, and my attempts to control the situation only heightened my stress.

Picture this: I was on holiday with my family in the Costa Brava, but instead of enjoying the beach, I was anxiously scrolling through apartment listings and preparing for the worst. I subscribed to four different platforms, convinced that unless I searched every day and paid immediately, I wouldn’t find a place to live.

Eventually, someone responded to my Facebook post about needing a room, sent me a video while I was traveling, and in my desperation, I signed a contract and paid an 800-euro deposit.

Plot twist: I got scammed.

Reflecting back, the red flags were obvious. Initially, I was hard on myself for signing a contract based on a Facebook video, but I had to remember the context. I was scared, juggling travel, and trying to secure a place to live. This experience taught me how to navigate future situations better. When you're in uncharted territory, remember that doing your best is enough.

Additionally, it’s crucial to be empathetic with ourselves. Moving to a new country and dealing with unfamiliar situations is challenging. Instead of beating ourselves up for mistakes, we should acknowledge our efforts and recognize that learning and growth come from these experiences.

Learning Point #2: Picture the ‘worst case scenario’ and is it really that bad?

After the apartment scam, I felt like I was back at square one. I realized my desperation had led me astray, so I needed a new approach.

Facing my fears head-on, I asked myself: What’s the worst-case scenario, and is it really that bad? The truth is, I have a safety net. My family loves and supports me, and I’m incredibly privileged to know they wouldn’t let me end up on the streets. They would help me financially if needed, allowing me to stay in temporary accommodation.

Additionally, I had an emergency fund saved before leaving New Zealand. This fund is my safety net, covering flights home, short-term accommodation, or living expenses for three months if I need to change plans. Knowing I had a ticket out of any dangerous situation reduced my anxiety and urgency.

Understanding that my worst-case scenario still left me safe, sheltered, and supported helped me approach situations with less fear and more patience.

Learning Point #3: Good People Are Everywhere

Time and time again, I've learned that stepping out of your comfort zone leads to meeting amazing people. Whether it's a brief encounter with a stranger in a hostel or forming a lifelong friendship in a new city, these connections make the human experience special.

When I moved to Valencia, I could only rely on second-hand connections. These connections turned out to be my biggest support network. For instance, a friend I met during an exchange in New Zealand suggested I reach out to two others from our exchange program who were also in Valencia. Although I didn’t know them well, they became my biggest support, helping me with apartment hunting, inviting me to family lunches, and introducing me to their wider circle.

Moreover, my sister’s friend from back home was also living in Valencia. She showed me around the city and quickly became part of my inner circle. Now, we regularly go bachata dancing, have picnics, plan trips, and explore this beautiful city together.

In most international cities, you'll find people just like yourself. By putting yourself out there, you'll meet like-minded individuals. Trust me – there's a group for every interest imaginable.

At first, it felt incredibly awkward to attend events alone and try to make new friends in a city. However these experiences helped me learn more about myself and how I respond to new situations

Final Thoughts

While there have been many more lessons, these three points stand out as my biggest takeaways from the past year. Moving overseas has been a journey of growth, filled with challenges and triumphs. As I continue this adventure, I am grateful for the experiences and the people who have made it memorable. Being empathetic with ourselves is key; acknowledging our efforts and understanding that making mistakes is part of the learning process is crucial. Thank you for following along, and here’s to many more lessons and adventures ahead!