Flying from Chicago to Madrid for my CIEE Teach Abroad orientation, a girl walked up to me at baggage claim and asked if we could be friends. I saved her name in my phone as "Baggage Claim Rachel." We ended up sitting together on the CIEE airport pickup bus, and the next day discovered we were in the same orientation group. 4 years later, we are still best friends.

Through CIEE I found an instant community—from another auxiliar at my school who I later hiked El Camino with, to orientation buddies turned karaoke partners, to CIEE staff that felt like family.

The community that CIEE cultivates is worth it alone, but the other support that CIEE provides was priceless for me. Rather than figuring out visa paperwork, housing, banking and more on my own, I had a network of knowledge and a group of other people to lean on who were going through the exact same process.

As someone who tends to worry, if I had doubts at any step of the way, there was someone over phone, email or in person to talk me through the process. I felt like I could leave the parts that I was worried about with CIEE and focus on enjoying the experience.

Looking back, the value that I got from CIEE far outweighed what I paid. If you jump right in, put effort into building relationships at your school and beyond, and lean on CIEE, you will have the time of your life!! <3

I really enjoyed the program. Im half way through and it's been great. Of course, it has challenges, but CIEE sets you up for success. The program provides you with everything you need to achieve success. I couldn´t have done it without the support from CIEE. The orientation and calls booked really helped me throughout the process. Also, the canvas slides give you the information you need. I'm now on my way to hopefully renewing for next year. Spain has been really enjoyable, and I hope to use the program again in the future.

I studied abroad in Madrid previously so I was very familiar with the city, but being a language assistant is definitely a different experience. There are ups and downs to the program, I would say its luck of the draw with what school you’re assigned to, but I just love living in Madrid. I got lucky being assigned a school in centro and I really like my school so that makes my experience great but I know its not the same for everyone. I’m planning on doing a second year because I just can’t think about going home :)

I'm so glad I decided to do this program, and through CIEE nonetheless. Everything was smooth and easy to get me started in the process, despite visas being a general nightmare. It has surpassed my expectations and I hope to renew. Could not recommend it enough. It's not my first time being apart of a CIEE program; back in 2020 I was apart of the CIEE Merida, Mexico Madrid for three weeks and that was also an amazing experience. Spain, however, has been even better. I absolutely recommend it to all my friends!

The move in September felt so daunting but also thrilling. It was something that was hard to explain to others who never had done the same thing. However, you being to realize really quickly that the daunting feeling was just your nerves taking over of what the unknown consisted of. Within week 2, the thrill starts to creep up and it doesn't really leave you. Madrid has so much to offer, as an aux and as an expat now living here. I have learned so much about myself and the world as days go on. The teaching aspect is so much more fulfilling than I ever thought it would be honestly. You realize very quickly that the students admire your presence in the classroom and the teacher values your knowledge and English Language. It's not just something you attend for a year of your life but rather a year that will make your life. What I mean by that is, your perspective on people, places, and things changes for the better. As cliche as it sounds, it really does and I am only 4-5 months in. You realize that being lucky enough to wake up in a different country was the goal all along. Your travels, work, and the people you meet will linger within you. The people here are so friendly and welcoming that it was so easy to adjust into the work schedule and way of life they simply execute here in Madrid. It's almost as if Spain isn't just a country filled with people but a country that is entirely a community. The romanticization of the city commute was something I didn't realize would happen naturally coming from a suburban child and young adult. It naturally gives you time to breathe, think, people watch, gather inspiration whether that be from human interaction or through the lens of your own eyes and ears. You see a lot but you also feel a lot, emotion that is. However, it is always a nice feeling knowing I am not alone in this journey even if I feel like it at times. That is always comforting...knowing there are other aux's out living in Madrid experiencing the same emotions you are. Also, the CIEE community is always offering events to attend and people to see/hangout with that bring a sense of comfort if you are ever feeling like you need a pick me up and need to get out and do something or meet people. The city is truly overwhelming in the best way. That's what I've been telling everyone from home. Overwhelming because it offers so many things that you feel like you are going to miss out on not doing it all. However, you start to realize that time here moves differently than in America. It's slower...your days feel longer. Travel is less expensive. Making memories and experiencing new places and environments seem to feel more less of a task that has to be completed but more of a habit and routine that you partake in because it's so assessable. Life as an aux is a blessing, truly, it's just how you choose to view that blessing that will make it or break it. I'll tell you now, it will make you if you make it.

CIEE was a huge help in all stages of the process. They helped me get a placement at a local school, helped me get a visa, helped me with settling into a new culture and navigating Spanish bureaucracy, and continued to be available if I needed anything throughout the school year. I would recommend their program to have a smooth transition to living in Spain. Once you’ve been placed in a school, the rest of the experience is up to the individual school admin and the teachers there, and your own attitude. There are difficulties to working in any public school, and each schools may have different expectations of you as a language assistant and a standard of student behavior that is different from what you’re used to at home. It’s all part of the intercultural experience! Be flexible and you will have an extraordinary journey of personal growth.

I have always dreamed of moving to Spain, and CIEE Teach Abroad made it so easy. They offered so much support before and during the process of becoming an aux. I was really worried about the visa process, but they were so helpful and made sure that I knew everything I'd need to know. Now that I'm in Spain it's been so nice to have connections within the country- I never feel like I'm on my own! I also have met some of my best friends through this program. It was such a great way to meet like-mided people. I can't recommend it enough.

It was definitely challenging adjusting to living and working in a different country! It was difficult to find housing but we made it work. Despite the challenges, it has been an overall very rewarding experience. I have loved teaching at my school and working with the other Auxs at my school. I do think the pay is not great and you have to come in with a lot of savings to be able to live your life. It is challenging to budget such a small pay while having to pay a lot for rent/utilities and food. There’s not a lot of extra money for fun.