Job Discussion Forums

[lecoke]

Has anyone taught in both either a small city or town versus a big city in Spain? I�m currently in Barcelona and am considering a smaller town, because I would like to get to know locals which is seems to be much more difficult in a big city especially barcelona. This city is like a revolving door in terms of people, which makes it difficult to establish a good network of people. My main goal is to improve my spanish, and am finding it really difficult with the huge foreign population and of course the dominance of catalan. I would like to learn catalan, but time is of the essence. I�m thinking of towns in the north possibly pamplona or somewhere on the atlantic coast. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[stoth1972]

I opted for a smaller town/city when I lived in Spain. Aranjuez was a town of about 40,000 (I think this is on a touristy day) and it was about 45 mins from Madrid and/or Toledo by bus. I chose it because I passed through it on a bus ride from my friend's village in Castilla La MAncha on my way to Madrid and it was truly picturesque. Rent was much cheaper than Madrid and I was able to afford my own place(unlike my counterparts in the city). It was also much harder to find a rental since most Spaniards buy homes. Unlike Madrid, there were not loads of students in Aranjuez, and therefore the demand for that kind of accommodation just wasn't there.

Why living in the smaller town was good:
-cheaper everything
-most of what you do it in walking distance vs. living in the city and having to catch the bus or metro to get around. I walked about 7 minutes to work in Aranjuez
-there are very few if almost no foreigners in your town-you are a novelty and every waking moment is a Spanish lesson
-safer; no one is trying to steal your purse (usually)
-people in smaller towns are USUALLY friendlier than the city folk and more willing to strike up a conversation (I can't honestly say this was the case in Aranjuez. I had a hard time meeting people)

Why living in the smaller town was bad:
-the city sleeps earlier and getting to and from Madrid at night becomes a challenge
-I worked in moth Aranjuez and Madrid so if I wanted to go out for the night in Madrid, I usually had to sleep on a friend's floor
-Because there are many young, single people in Madrid (Spanish and otherwise) it's easier to meet people
-Jobs: I took a job and was promised a certain amount of hours that never came to be; I was 'stuck' in Aranjuez and moving would have meant a huge upheaval (electric bill in boss's name, she guaranteed me for the flat since i didn't have a bank account). I had fortunately been teaching every SAturday in Madrid and the academy liked me. They were willing to work around my schedule and give me 2 full 8 hour days, so that I only had to work 2 days in Aranjuez.
-As you know, there are lots more opportunities in the city: if one falls out, there are always loads others to pick up

North of Spain: I've spent some time in Pamplona. The people in the Basque country are the nicest people I came across-so genuine, so truly interested in why I was there. Also, why not try TOledo or Cordoba? THese are gorgeous 'small' cities. You're sure to meet Spaniards your age who live in the villages around the city. My fondest memories of Spain are my multiple weekends in Villafranca de los Caballeros-a town of less than 5000-and nothing pretty to look at. I had "family" there, and people were always so kind, friendly...you might meet someone that night who took you around to various clubs and bars, introducing you to everyone they knew.

Lesson learned: Sometimes the pretty places are filled with the less-friendly people. It's the 'real' places that seem to appreciate you being there.