We all been there. Our vacation days are coming to an end, and we start thinking. What can I bring back home to surprise my family and friends? After having such a blast in Spain how do you share that excitement with them? Or, maybe you have been living in Spain for a few months and are heading back home to visit your family. Keychains, mugs, bottle openers, t-shirts were so last century. It’s time to think outside the box.…
Expat Series
We must address the fact that our mobile phones are the ones who accompany us at every moment of the day. Through them, we have access to what is happening in the world. We communicate with our loved ones and even entertain us in moments of boredom. However, our phones are nothing without the applications inside them. The apps are the real MVP in the world of telecommunications. There are basic apps that we should all have on our phone.…
If you are planning to spend a semester abroad in Spain or live here for a few months, you must pack your belongings wisely. Why? Because they might be a few things that you may not find on the shelves here. Or if you manage to get them in your hands, you will pay ridiculous money for them. Do not stress, after a while, you will figure everything out and find replacements for your favorites products or realize you are…
One of the top questions that I get asked the most is how much will it cost to live in Spain during a semester abroad or while studying a Master’s Degree. On this post, I will cover an overview of what to expect so you can plan your budget accordingly. All prices will be listed in euros since exchange rates change on the daily. The minimum wage for a 40 hour week in Spain is 735 euros. Unless you are…
If you are like me, every vacation includes shopping. After being back and forth to Spain and living in Madrid for a while now, I know exactly on what to splurge and how to save money while shopping in Madrid. These tips will also work in other cities since most of the stores mentioned are available nationwide. But deets about locations will only cover the Comunidad de Madrid area. Follow this 5 Shopping tips to splurge and save money in Madrid…
On this post, I will cover the fun part of getting started in Madrid. I will write another post discussing the other boring stuff you need to get done after arriving in Spain, like setting up your health insurance, opening bank accounts, visa paperwork, etc. It has been two years since I arrived in Madrid not for the first time, but for the longest time (1 year). I remember being very nervous; I was leaving everything behind. Quitting my current job,…
9 Shocking Cultural Differences Between Spanish and United States Culture
I am in a 6-year relationship with a Spanish. Along all of these years, we have faced many cultural differences. We met in 2012, back then he had been living for almost a year in Puerto Rico. At that time he was very used to our expressions and our lifestyle/culture. So there wasn’t a cultural shock back then besides how tall he is and his Spanish accent, of course. I started to notice the cultural differences the first time I…
Learn what to buy and skip at Mercadona with this shopping guide including all my favorite products. I know that doing grocery shopping in a new country can be overwhelming. Even though you have visited the country before, it’s not the same being a tourist versus becoming a local. I remember the first few times I went to the supermarket. It took me hours to decide what to buy! I didn’t recognize most of the product brands or labels. Let alone…