The auxiliar experience is not perfect. Anyone who has been in the program (NALCAP) for more than five minutes knows that. There are flaws, late payments, dead-end emails, and sometimes it feels like there’s no real representative to turn to when you need answers. In many ways, it’s a very DIY program. You figure things out as you go, you lean on other auxes for help, and sometimes you learn lessons the hard way. I’ve also heard stories of people feeling taken advantage of or dealing with situations that weren’t handled the best.
But at the same time, I think it’s important to step back and look at the bigger picture.
At the end of the day, you get to live in Spain for a year or more and get paid to do it. You don’t even work part-time hours (20). Most people around the world dream about living abroad and never get the chance. Here, you’re given a visa, a school placement, and the opportunity to experience a completely different way of life for ten months. When you really think about it, that’s pretty incredible.
There are countless blogs, guides, and resources out there about auxiliar programs, and hopefully you did your research before coming here. The reality is, many of the challenges people talk about are things we knew going in. No journey is perfect. And sometimes the purpose of a challenging experience is to help you see things from a new perspective and help you grow.
Spain has a high unemployment rate, yet you’re guaranteed a job for the entire school year. You’re able to come here on a visa and, if you choose, continue renewing it for multiple years. Some people spend their entire lives hoping for an opportunity to live abroad like this. Others wait years for the right moment, the right finances, or the right circumstances.
In my case, I signed up for this program only about two weeks before the applications opened. I didn’t overthink it, I just went for it. And it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Of course, there will be frustrating moments. Late payments happen. Miscommunication happens. Some days will feel harder than others. But that’s part of the process of living in another country and navigating something new.
I’m not saying you should never complain. Sometimes you have to let things out, and I know I’ve definitely had my moments, too. It’s normal. Living abroad comes with a lot of adjustments, and not every day is going to feel easy.
Another thing I like to remind people is that, in many ways, you’re simply getting paid to be yourself. Your presence, your language, and the culture you grew up with are the reasons you’re here. That alone has value. You’re not expected to be some highly specialized professional or to have years of experience. You’re here to share your language, your perspective, and a little piece of where you come from.
You don’t even need to arrive speaking fluent Spanish, although learning it definitely helps and makes the experience richer. At its core, the program exists because cultural exchange matters. Your accent, your stories, your traditions, and even the little things you grew up with are interesting and meaningful to the students you work with.
When you really think about it, that’s a pretty unique opportunity. You get a visa and a chance to live abroad simply because of the language and culture you come from. There aren’t many programs in the world that offer something like that.
But at the end of the day, I’m incredibly grateful for the life I’ve built here. The friendships I’ve made, the places I’ve been able to travel to, and even the simple things like having a three-day weekend, sometimes four, if there’s a holiday! Those little things add up in ways you don’t always realize at first. Being here has honestly felt like a breath of fresh air. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, introduced me to people from all over the world, and gave me experiences I never would have had if I stayed in my usual routine back home.
So yes, some days might be frustrating. But when I zoom out and look at the bigger picture, I feel really lucky to be here and to have had this opportunity at all.
All I’m really saying is this. Try to stay grounded in gratitude for the opportunity you have. This experience has the potential to change your life in ways you can’t even predict yet. And when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, it’s truly something special.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
