My experience teaching through RVF International has been nothing but pleasant so far. I am travelling with my sister. We live in Torrevieja, Spain and teach English at an elementary school and high school in Bigastro. RVF was great about making sure my sister and I could stay together and experience this journey side by side. The facility and staff at my school have been friendly and patient. Plus, I can see everything from the beaches of Torrevieja to the mountains of Bigastro on my ride to school everyday. Experiencing Spanish culture firsthand has been an experience I will never forget, and RVF has made my time in Spain thus far even more enjoyable and less stressful/

What better time to leave home and teach abroad than after 18 straight years of school and studying? I honestly just wanted freedom — the chance to step outside of my comfort zone, learn a new language, and fill my life with experiences and memories from across the world. I’ve always loved working with kids, so the teaching aspect felt like the perfect way to blend my passion for education with my desire for adventure and a better work-life balance.

That’s how I ended up moving from Canada to Spain through RVF International — and all I can say is wow! It’s only been one month, but I’ve already made more memories and friends than I can count.

Even before I arrived, RVF handled the most stressful parts — the admin! Everything from visas to background checks is super tedious, so my biggest advice is to get everything done well in advance. Luckily, RVF bundles all the administrative steps into one streamlined process and provides nearly 24/7 support. I always felt like someone was there to help, and that made all the difference.

The most difficult part for me was finding housing from overseas. It can be tricky since listings go quickly, and you can’t always see places in person before arriving. I highly recommend using Idealista — it’s the best platform for finding reliable listings in Spain. Once I got here, everything fell into place.

RVF also partners with a local phone plan provider, which made setting up my Spanish SIM so easy — no stress, no long lines, just quick and affordable service.

When I finally settled in, I was placed at a wonderful elementary school with a short commute from my city. Teaching has been such a delightful and welcoming experience — the kids are full of energy, and the staff has made me feel at home from day one. My schedule is amazing, my work-life balance is exactly what I hoped for, and I truly feel happy and fulfilled here.

In just a few short weeks, I’ve already traveled to Valencia, Bilbao, Madrid, and Alicante, and I’m currently part of RVF’s video challenge (fingers crossed for that trip to Morocco!).

I’m so excited for what’s to come and can’t thank RVF enough for helping me arrive smoothly and supporting me every step of the way. If you’ve ever dreamed about teaching abroad, I can’t recommend RVF International enough — come to Spain and experience it for yourself! 🇪🇸✨

Originally, I requested a placement in Valencia. I ended up getting placed at a school about an hour and a half south of the city. I found an amazing city to live in. My commute to school is a little far but it is worth it to me. My school is amazing. Everyone has been so welcoming. The teachers have been so supportive and accommodating. I couldn’t ask for a better school or people to work with. Although I didn’t get the original placement that I wanted, my experience has turned out so incredible.

If not for any other reason, the main reason you should consider RVF is for the support they offer. Support throughout the visa process, housing, regional and school placements, travel arrangements and even once youve already arrived they are still at your disposal. What can be a very overwhelming process, for me, felt very straightforward because they give you a personalized toolkit packet that gives you step by step instructions to be successful. Its also just the best decision Ive ever made. I made it to Spain, got placed in the exact city I was hoping for and spend my days teaching, taking siestas, and traveling all over Spain. I fully recommend this program.

I have been so lucky to have another AUX at my school who stayed at a hostel his first weeks here, and he was able to connect me with other language assistants and WhatsApp group chats, where people are able to reach out for help or advice or join other groups based on similar likes! My friends and I did this program together, and luckily we were able to find housing before we arrived to Spain. Any issues we have had with the apartment so far, the landlord has been extremely helpful and offered support. I also do not know a lot of Spanish, but I feel very comfortable practicing and learning the language!

Hello,
My name is Adarian Johnson. I am a first year participant of the RVF International Language Assistant Program. This has undoubtedly been the best experience and I Absolutely recommend anyone interested in Spanish culture, Cultural Immersion or Travel to apply. Working with my classes has also been an invigorating aspect of my experience with RVF International as they are the main purpose for being here: to help students develop a deeper understanding of English. Seeing them light up with excitement as I enter the school and classroom has really made this experience even better!

Less than a year ago, I made the decision to turn my "whys" into "why nots" when it came to pursuing my dreams. I had always dreamed of living abroad and RVF International has provided me with a vehicle to make that dream come true. I don't know that I could have navigated all of the nuances involved in the Visa process without RVF's support. From the webinars with Q&A sessions to the personalized responses to all of my questions, RVF's step-by-step approach turned something that seemed overwhelming to manageable, bite-sized to-do items that, in some cases, were even enjoyable. I've emailed the support inbox so many times and I'm consistently met with responses that provide me with the detail and clarity I need to move forward. The RVF International staff are patient and their support never comes with a tone that might make one feel like their question is silly. I have been in my placement for just three weeks and nothing beats the feeling of hearing the students call your name when they need help. When they see me at the grocery store, I can see the twinkle in their eyes as they greet me and hold brief conversations with me in English. They feel a sense of accomplishment as the faces of their family members light up with pride at what they hear. It's beautiful! Equally as wonderful is realizing that being out of my cultural and linguistic comfort zone has encouraged me to re-engage with the world around me. I've tapped into the simplicity that comes with a life where you hang laundry on a clothesline, make meals from scratch, and get invited to dinner at a neighbor's house, which doesn't begin until 10pm. This program combines the things I'm most passionate about (traveling, teaching, and learning), and it has given me the opportunity to explore Spanish culture in such a unique way. If you are contemplating whether this program makes sense for you, let me reassure you: it does! Go for it! Don't allow your age or how well you do or don't speak Spanish deter you from this life-altering experience. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Moving abroad has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. My journey began in October 2024, shortly after quitting my retail manager job. I felt utterly lost until one late night, when I came across RVF during a panic and uncertainty. That discovery became the spark that set everything in motion and led me to Spain nearly a year later.

Moving abroad was both an investment and a leap of faith. While the legal steps went smoothly thanks to RVF’s guidance and my determination, the emotional journey was much more challenging. Leaving behind my family, friends, and comfort zone brought moments of doubt, guilt, and fear.

The day of my flight was a test of patience and faith: delays, missed connections, and lost luggage all in one day. I arrived in Spain without belongings, but that experience taught me my first major lesson in resilience. When everything feels out of control, your mindset becomes your greatest strength.

Once I settled in, things started to align beautifully. Within weeks, I had my Spanish phone number, transportation card, and bank account set up. I found an apartment 20 minutes from my school in a lovely town outside Madrid, where I now live with my dream roommate. My school welcomed me with open arms, and soon I began tutoring students after hours, turning my passion into extra income.

Despite the beauty of this new chapter, I’ve had moments of discomfort and self-doubt. At times, it felt like I was starting from zero or falling behind compared to others back home. But I understood that discomfort is often a sign of growth, not failure.

Living abroad has shown me the value of slowing down, embracing uncertainty, and trusting that everything unfolds at the right time.

For anyone preparing to move abroad, here’s my advice:
Expect challenges; they’ll build your resilience.
Stay organized and proactive with your paperwork.
Be open to connection, community is everything when you’re far from home.
Give yourself grace; growth often feels uncomfortable at first.

Moving abroad isn’t just about changing countries; it’s about changing perspective. It’s trading comfort for courage and discovering a stronger, braver version of yourself.