Why Did I Move to Spain?

After the initial, "Wow, that's cool!," I had a lot of people ask me why.

But with a much nicer and more curious facial expression.

Ever since I had arrived back to the States from my semester exchange program, the thought of returning to Europe had been sitting in the back of my mind. I had loved living in a different culture, meeting people from around the world, and the ability to more easily and affordably travel.

Plus Europe has castles!

Originally I had wanted to move to the UK or Ireland (hello rain & great accents!), but I knew that finding a job and obtaining a visa would be a challenge, especially since I didn't have a company already willing to sponsor me.

I decided that my best option was to apply for the NALCAP program that I had learned about the previous year in my Spanish class. To be honest the program requirements were easy to meet and I would have settled for almost anywhere in western Europe!

Peep the Roman bridge in the background.

Which brings to where I am now: Ourense, Galicia, España (specifically in the lounge of my piso). Once I discovered that the region of Galicia is known for its rainy weather and Celtic heritage and culture; I knew that it was where I wanted to move to. While placement in the NALCAP program is up to the government program is entirely up to the government; I was fortunate to be placed in my desired region and the beautiful and welcoming city of Ourense!