Let’s just get this out of the way: There is no perfect time to do NALCAP. I know, not the satisfying answer you were hoping for. But honestly, that’s what makes the experience so interesting. It doesn’t fit neatly into a “right time” box, because it ends up shaping your life in ways you didn’t plan for anyway. What does matter is where you are in your own life, and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
A lot of people go straight into NALCAP after graduating, and on paper, it makes sense. You’re fresh out of school, you want an adventure, and Spain is calling your name. But here’s the honest part people don’t always say: When you come back, the job search can feel a little harder.
Being an auxiliar isn’t the most “career-aligned” role unless you actually want to go into teaching. So if you’re trying to jump straight into a corporate job or something super specific, it might feel like you took a slight detour. But, and this is important, that detour isn’t wasted. If anything, this experience teaches you something most people don’t learn that early: You can build a life around your interests, not just a job title.
Let’s be honest, most people don’t move to Spain because they’re deeply passionate about teaching English. They come because:
- They want to live abroad
- They want a different lifestyle
- They want to travel
- They want to feel something new
And there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, that’s kind of the point. NALCAP becomes less about the “job” and more about the life you build around it.
What This Experience Actually Teaches You
This is the part no one can really explain until you’re in it. Living abroad will teach you:
- What you actually need vs. what you thought you needed
- What kind of lifestyle makes you happy
- How much do you value stability, money, freedom, or adventure
You might realize:
- You miss financial security and want to go home
- Or you care more about lifestyle than a high-paying job
- Or you want something completely different than what you studied
And that perspective, you take it with you no matter where you go next.
“Is This Just a Break from Real Life?”
It can feel like that sometimes. Like you’ve pressed pause on your “real” career and stepped into this fun, slightly chaotic chapter. But here’s the truth: This is your life, just in a different form. You’re still growing, learning, making decisions, and building your future, just not in the traditional way. And honestly, there’s something really beautiful about that. Spain can be a phase, a reset, or the beginning of something you didn’t even know you wanted
If You Want a Short-Term Experience
If you already know: “This is a 1–2 year thing for me.” Perfect, then go all in:
- Travel as much as you can
- Say yes to experiences
- Don’t overthink the “next step” too much
Just make the most of it and enjoy the chapter for what it is.
If You’re Not Sure What You Want
This is where it gets interesting. If you’re thinking: “I just want to try it and see what happens…” Then go, but be a little strategic.
- Consider building a financial cushion before you come
- Think about side hustles or remote work beforehand
- Give yourself options in case you fall in love with the lifestyle
Because that happens a lot. You come for a year, and suddenly you’re like, “Wait… I don’t think I’m done here.”
My Personal Take
I moved back home to TN from LA in December 2023. I knew I needed a change of environment, something to reset me a bit, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t have some big, mapped-out plan. My idea was simply to go home, breathe, and figure things out as I went.
Then, sometime around mid to late January of 2024, a friend sent me a TikTok about the program. One of those random, “this could be fun” moments. I remember thinking, why not? Let’s just see what happens. I applied without overthinking it and went right back to my life, not expecting much.
But then April came around, and I got my acceptance. And suddenly it hit me, wait, this could actually be real. That moment felt like the beginning of something, even if I didn’t fully understand what I was stepping into yet.
Fast forward, and here I am almost two years later, completely in love with the life I’ve built here and the version of myself I’ve grown into. What started as a random, slightly impulsive decision turned into something that reshaped my entire perspective on life.
It taught me that not every move needs to be perfectly planned to be right. Sometimes you just follow a feeling, take the opportunity in front of you, and trust that you’ll figure the rest out along the way. And somehow, it turned into one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It hasn’t been perfect, and it definitely hasn’t been easy all the time, but it’s been worth it in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
So… when is the best time?
There isn’t one, but there is a right time for you. Ask yourself:
- Am I craving a change?
- Am I open to uncertainty?
- Am I okay with things not fitting perfectly into a career timeline?
If the answer is yes, you’re probably closer to ready than you think, and if not, that’s okay too.
But I’ll leave you with this. One thing I really try to live by is simple: try things, at least once. Give yourself the chance to experience it before you decide it’s not for you. Because the truth is, it’s always better to have an answer than to sit there wondering “what if.”
Not everything you try is going to work out, and not every decision will make perfect sense, but every experience gives you clarity. It shows you what you like, what you don’t, what you’re willing to tolerate, and what you actually want your life to look like.
And honestly, that kind of clarity is worth more than playing it safe. So whether it’s NALCAP, moving abroad, switching careers, or just doing something that feels a little out of character, try it. You can always pivot, you can always change direction, but at least you won’t be left guessing.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
