There is nothing like arriving in a new country to realize you probably should have planned one more thing. Let me tell you about the tiny almost-mistake I made when I first moved to Spain. While I was on a layover, somewhere between adrenaline and disbelief that I was actually doing this, I decided that was the perfect time to port my U.S. number over to Google Voice. Mid-air, mid-life change, you know?
At the time, I genuinely was not thinking about phone service once I landed. I was overwhelmed, emotional, and a little shocked that I had just packed up my entire life. Logistics were the last thing on my mind. Fast forward, and I land at the airport in Valencia. New country, two suitcases, zero cellular service, and I need a ride!
Now here is where it gets humbling. I was so nervous to speak Spanish that I completely avoided the taxi line. Just walked right past it as if I didn’t make eye contact, I would not be perceived. Since I had no service, I tried connecting to the airport Wi-Fi to try to order an Uber or Cabify. In theory, smart. In reality, chaotic.
The Wi-Fi was slow, the apps were buffering, and I was tired. I ended up waiting almost 45 minutes after landing, just trying to secure a ride. Forty-five minutes of standing there pretending I had everything under control. I eventually just took a taxi.
Looking back, it is wild how much I have grown since that moment. At the time, I thought I was being proactive by porting my number early. In reality, I left myself without a solid backup plan for those first crucial hours in a new country. So here is my advice to you.
Invest, and by invest, I mean ten dollars, maybe less.
Get an eSIM plan for a few days or a week before you land. Activate it before your plane touches down. That way, the second you step off the plane, you have data. You can call a ride, you can translate, you can text, and you can breathe. You cannot always rely on airport Wi-Fi. Sometimes it is slow, sometimes it is down, and sometimes it logs you out right when you need it most.
If you need an eSIM, I personally recommend checking out Airalo or Saily. They are simple, affordable, and perfect for those first few days while you figure everything out. If you use my links and purchase a plan, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Truly, I only share what would have saved me stress. Consider this your sign.
Activate the eSIM before you land in Spain. Give yourself the gift of service, especially when everything else already feels new and overwhelming. Moving abroad is brave. Let me help you at least make it practical, too.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
