One girl, one goal, una sola vida.
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Hello, I hope life is treating you well!
For those who know, I have had a rough year and a half, and in general am no stranger to drama, catastrophe, and life generally not treating me well. I've always believed, begrudgingly so at times, that I need to persevere and keep hoping to reach a better tomorrow. So, in less than 2 months, I'm attempting to start creating that tomorrow...
In mid-September, I'm taking the plunge to move back to my second home, Spain. I lived in Seville from August 2011 - March 2012, and although that stay definitely consisted of many problems, stressors, and frustrations, people close to me noted that I was "profoundly happier," and I agree. Now I'm moving to Madrid to work in the Auxiliares de Conversación program with the Spanish Ministry of Education. Through this program, I'd be working in a public "bilingual" elementary school located in a town northwest of Madrid city proper. Ultimately, I'm hoping to be able to apply for Spanish residency in a few years, during which I should be able to essentially change the Student NIE (Foreigner ID Number) that I'd receive through the Auxiliar program to a Work NIE.
I don't have enough money to move out there, and although that's stressful at times, that's not going to stop me. I applied for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, especially since I hope to make a life overseas and need another credit card anyway. I know where to get relatively inexpensive flights**, and I have a few networks on FB with other Americans/foreigners who will be in Spain/Madrid, as well as my lovely network of Sevillians.
For the first few weeks, I plan to live in an inexpensive room through someone on Airbnb.com (let me know if you want a coupon to this site, if you don't already have a profile) while I look for an apartment and do the English-teacher's-private-lesson hustle through Madrid until I receive my first paycheck at the beginning of November.
Before heading out there, I'm trying to sell as many of my things as I can, obtain some virtual freelance work (in part because access to reliable transportation has been a constant problem regarding obtaining employment here in the Chicagoland area), and was fortunate enough to qualify for a market research group, the earnings from which is covering the money order for my visa.
I'll do my best to make all of this work regardless, and I imagine you definitely have more important things to spend your money on, but anything you have to give from financial support to encouraging words or resources that could help me would be appreciated. I'll update my progress here and possibly on my living abroad blog, (which hasn't been updated since my departure from Seville): packlightly.wordpress.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my spiel to help me carve out my "better tomorrow." I hope you're also able to take the time and effort to try to shape the future that you personally want for yourself as well.
Un saludo desde Chicago,
Revé
P.S. In case you'd prefer to give via PayPal, my PayPal email address is reve[dot][email redacted][dot]com
**P.P.S. If case you're wondering where to get inexpensive flights:
SkyScanner, and or those who are students/teachers/under age 26, StudentUniverse and STA Travel.
If you are searching for flights but don't plan to buy yet, clear your cookies before you do. Airlines will see you searching again and raise the prices. Similarly, if you use Safari as a browser, airlines will assume you have money (as you're probably using an Apple product) and will charge you more. Also, airlines supposedly drop prices on Tuesday at 3pm EST for some reason.
For those who know, I have had a rough year and a half, and in general am no stranger to drama, catastrophe, and life generally not treating me well. I've always believed, begrudgingly so at times, that I need to persevere and keep hoping to reach a better tomorrow. So, in less than 2 months, I'm attempting to start creating that tomorrow...
In mid-September, I'm taking the plunge to move back to my second home, Spain. I lived in Seville from August 2011 - March 2012, and although that stay definitely consisted of many problems, stressors, and frustrations, people close to me noted that I was "profoundly happier," and I agree. Now I'm moving to Madrid to work in the Auxiliares de Conversación program with the Spanish Ministry of Education. Through this program, I'd be working in a public "bilingual" elementary school located in a town northwest of Madrid city proper. Ultimately, I'm hoping to be able to apply for Spanish residency in a few years, during which I should be able to essentially change the Student NIE (Foreigner ID Number) that I'd receive through the Auxiliar program to a Work NIE.
I don't have enough money to move out there, and although that's stressful at times, that's not going to stop me. I applied for a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, especially since I hope to make a life overseas and need another credit card anyway. I know where to get relatively inexpensive flights**, and I have a few networks on FB with other Americans/foreigners who will be in Spain/Madrid, as well as my lovely network of Sevillians.
For the first few weeks, I plan to live in an inexpensive room through someone on Airbnb.com (let me know if you want a coupon to this site, if you don't already have a profile) while I look for an apartment and do the English-teacher's-private-lesson hustle through Madrid until I receive my first paycheck at the beginning of November.
Before heading out there, I'm trying to sell as many of my things as I can, obtain some virtual freelance work (in part because access to reliable transportation has been a constant problem regarding obtaining employment here in the Chicagoland area), and was fortunate enough to qualify for a market research group, the earnings from which is covering the money order for my visa.
I'll do my best to make all of this work regardless, and I imagine you definitely have more important things to spend your money on, but anything you have to give from financial support to encouraging words or resources that could help me would be appreciated. I'll update my progress here and possibly on my living abroad blog, (which hasn't been updated since my departure from Seville): packlightly.wordpress.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my spiel to help me carve out my "better tomorrow." I hope you're also able to take the time and effort to try to shape the future that you personally want for yourself as well.
Un saludo desde Chicago,
Revé
P.S. In case you'd prefer to give via PayPal, my PayPal email address is reve[dot][email redacted][dot]com
**P.P.S. If case you're wondering where to get inexpensive flights:
SkyScanner, and or those who are students/teachers/under age 26, StudentUniverse and STA Travel.
If you are searching for flights but don't plan to buy yet, clear your cookies before you do. Airlines will see you searching again and raise the prices. Similarly, if you use Safari as a browser, airlines will assume you have money (as you're probably using an Apple product) and will charge you more. Also, airlines supposedly drop prices on Tuesday at 3pm EST for some reason.
Organizer
Revé Fisher
Organizer
Hazel Crest, IL
