Rosie worked in Spain

Rosie, an English and Hispanic studies graduate from the University of Sheffield, worked as an English Language assistant in Zaragoza, Spain.

'I did an assistantship through the British Council so I got all of the information I needed through them before I went. The good thing about doing an assistantship is that you get paid, you also work really good hours so you have lots of free time to explore the country. One of the downsides though is that you’re teaching English, and therefore spend a lot of your time speaking English – when really you want to learn more of the language.

‘Having a year abroad really helped me get a job. I think that my employer saw it as a benefit that I had been independent and taken on a challenge.’

Settling in and finding accommodation

‘The school gave me a mentor, who was the head of English, he was able to help with things like setting up a bank account. I needed to have a right to work form (a bit like a National Insurance number). I had to go to the Town Hall with lots of documents - my mentor helped. I would have have struggled without him as at that point my Spanish was not good enough to handle all of the financial and detailed bits.

‘Accommodation is difficult to find. I found the best way was to go into the university – most Spanish cities have at least one – and look at the noticeboards. Lots of Spanish students like having an English student living with them to help their language too. I found somewhere quickly.’

Improving Spanish skills

‘Something I did to learn more was to teach some Spanish people English. I’d chat with them in English for an hour, and then they would help with my Spanish by chatting in Spanish for an hour – this is a really good way to learn more of the language.

‘I knew lots of other people going to Zaragoza but it meant that I socialised mainly with English people so I didn’t get to learn the social side of the language. We went to fiestas and street parties though as there were lots going on.’

Having fun

‘There are so many opportunities to learn more about the culture and language when abroad, I don’t think I did enough of it as I spent a lot of time with English friends – but I wish I had done more! I would recommend using the language as much as possible.

‘One thing you should do on your year abroad is travel! If you have a day off, just travel around and find new places. It’s a really great way to see different places and to improve your language.

‘When I first moved to Zaragoza it was a big culture shock, there was a fiesta that was on for five days and everything was shut! The parties started at one in the morning and went on until five! One of my friends was staying with a family and she got involved with one of the parades.

‘I was always in T-shirts and shorts while the Spanish people were wearing jumpers and wrapping up –  it was the winter there and it was cold for them.’