If you’re reading this, congratulations! I’ll guess that you’re likely in the process of organising your upcoming year abroad, which is so exciting. If not, perhaps you’re thinking of applying for one (you should) or reminiscing on your year abroad (same). I worked as an English teacher in Madrid, Spain last year, and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Whatever brings you here, here’s everything you need to know before you get on the plane, informed by my own experience.
Accommodation
I found sorting a place to live to be one of the most stressful aspects of moving abroad and ended up hostel-hopping around Madrid for 6 weeks before securing my final accommodation. This was extremely expensive and made settling in difficult, as I had no sense of ‘home’.
Originally, I planned to do this for just two weeks upon arrival, after following advice to not secure accommodation until you arrive in the country. This is because online scams are rife and horror stories of paying deposits for non-existent flats are worryingly common. Whilst this is valid advice, it left me between a very expensive rock and hard place, with flat hunting taking much longer than anticipated during the most competitive time of the year.
In hindsight, I would suggest that if it is at all financially or logistically possible for you, head to your upcoming year abroad destination a month or so prior with the sole intention of viewing and organising your accommodation. Though this is expensive, in my case, a few days in Madrid visiting flats and securing one I knew was real and reliable would’ve saved me a lot of money and stress in the long run.
However, if this isn’t possible for you, I’d suggest pre-scheduling as many viewings as possible for as soon as you arrive, using verified websites for accommodation in your country (Check out Idealista, Fotocasa and Spotahome in Spain). Also, reach out to any connections you have in the country, such as your university, employer, or any other existing contacts there, as they may have some reliable leads for available vacancies. As you would in Manchester, ensure you check reviews and thoroughly read all documentation before sending over any money.
Visa
DISCLAIMER: This is extremely dependent on the country you will be living in and plans you have there, so any advice I can give is just general. Ensure you check any specific requirements for your situation.
To be honest, securing my Spanish student visa was a lengthy and confusing process that literally left me in tears in the consulate. Don’t let that be you!
Firstly, make sure your passport is well in date, as this will be your first hurdle if not. If you’re a UK citizen, I also recommend that you apply for the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), as it’s free and may be valid or required in your intended country. (https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/) In my case, it took a very long time to arrive and slowed down my visa process, so securing it early is worthwhile.
Similarly, try to obtain any other required documents as early as possible, because the sooner you start tackling the admin, the less stressful it will be. You likely will encounter issues with sourcing papers or booking appointments, so bear this in mind and start early to reduce complications along the way. In these cases, be persistent, calling back and following up as much as possible. It may seem annoying, but I found that for documents such as my medical note from my doctor, going into the practice multiple times to check up on its progress was the only way. Ensure you take multiple copies of every document you secure, as you may have to give these to the Consulate at points.
I’d also recommend joining group chats with others applying for the same destination and visa, as sharing experiences can make a confusing process much less stressful. Find these through the university or else through Facebook or other online platforms.
Money
Going abroad is an expensive process, but there are steps you can take to receive extra support and minimise costs. The most crucial is ensuring you have a safety blanket of savings ready to cover your costs for the first few weeks while you settle in, but there are other steps you can take to further support yourself:
My first recommendation is to set up a bank account that is suitable for travel and use abroad in your destination county before you even arrive. This means you will have funds available to you as soon as you land, helping you to find your feet and avoiding large conversion fees. This may be sufficient throughout your whole period away, but if you are getting paid in the country or need to make certain transactions, you may have to later open another account there. In my case, I set up a Monzo account before arriving in Spain, which I used for the first few weeks before creating a Spanish bank account so I could get paid. I’d recommend looking into Monzo, Revolut, or asking your existing bank what international services they provide.
Also, if you receive Student Finance England, ensure that you let them know that you will be abroad next year. You can do so online through the same yearly funding form you will have filled out previously (https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login). This means you will seamlessly receive your loan from abroad and may even receive extra funds to support your adventure.
Health
Protecting your physical and mental health is essential anywhere, but especially when moving abroad. First and foremost, you need travel insurance. Aside from many visas requiring it, insurance provides peace of mind that you are covered in case of emergencies. Luckily for us, the University provides insurance for students undertaking time abroad, which you can read about here: http://www.goabroad.manchester.ac.uk/emergencies-and-insurance/insurance/ . However, you may also need or want to get private insurance to meet visa requirements or for specific health or destination-based circumstances. I would suggest researching offers online and comparing deals, but remember that your health is worth investing in, so don’t scrimp on insurance.
If your year abroad is anything like mine, it will feature a lot of beer, tapas, and sun, with your diet and daily routine changing significantly. While this is wonderful, so much change at once may take a toll on your mental or physical health, from getting used to a different cuisine and climate or moving a lot more/less than usual. Living in a different country may also bring different germs and illnesses that you aren’t used to.
Firstly, ensure you have had all the necessary vaccines for your destination country. These can be found on the UK Government’s travel advice website, alongside more general advice about your destination country (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice). Ensure you can also receive any existing prescriptions abroad, and if possible, perhaps secure some extra medication for when you arrive in case you face complications in getting it.
I also stocked up on vitamins during my first few months abroad, and tried to still eat some of the foods I enjoyed back home to give my body some routine. Joining a gym or sporting activity is by no means a requirement, but it is also a great way to care for your body and perhaps make some friends along the way. You could even try a completely new sport popular in your country.
Social life
Speaking of friends, creating a support network is one of the most important aspects of moving abroad. I knew a handful of others on my course who moved to Madrid at the same time as me, but once there, I decided not to reach out to them. Personally, I wanted to treat my time abroad as a fresh start and opportunity to meet a new circle, challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone as much as possible. Although this was difficult, I am so glad I did. After a few months, I had built up an amazing circle of friends with diverse stories to tell from across the world, many of whom I’m still in touch with and have even visited since.
To do this, I’d first recommend exploring your immediate network. For me, this meant my new work colleagues and their friends, but this may look like new course-mates or flat-mates too. The obvious common ground you share with these people provides a great starting point for friendships, especially during the first few weeks. It can be intimidating to suggest an after-work or class drink, but it really pays off.
I also met people through Facebook groups such as ‘English Teachers in Madrid’, ‘Madrid Au Pairs’ and similar networks, as well as Bumble BFF. Of course, exercise caution when meeting strangers from the Internet. Madrid also boasts ‘City Life Madrid’ a fantastic resource made for international people new to the city that organises plenty of trips, socials, and other events to help make friendships. It is worth having a look online to see if your city offers anything similar.
Lastly, I met some of my closest friends randomly in a bar one night after I decided to go and watch the World Cup alone. Saying yes to every opportunity, putting yourself out there and not being afraid to do things alone are the best ways to meet people, and provide the best stories too. Enjoy it!