Bienvenidos! Or should I say “Welcome” since that’s part of my job now? Surprisingly, I didn’t feel any nerves or anxiety leading up to this moment. But ever since I arrived in Spain, any lingering unease has completely vanished. It must be something in the Spanish air.
I had planned to carpool with the school psychologist because she also lives in Gandia. She was running a bit late, so we were kind of in a rush. We tried to make small talk during the drive, but the language barrier made it a bit challenging. It definitely makes me want to learn Spanish even more—after all, I did move to Spain, right?
When we arrived at the school, my primary teacher was waiting outside to show me around. I’d forgotten just how loud kids can be, but their energy is contagious. They were running around, shouting and playing—maybe they really love school here.
Classes went by pretty quickly. Each one is about 30 to 45 minutes long, and between all the fun and trying to juggle two languages, the time just flew. While I’m here to teach the kids, I feel like I’m learning just as much from them. Their curiosity is infectious, and it’s rekindling my own. I find myself trying to read the walls covered in posters and calendars, eager to understand the language better.
The kids sang songs and colored pictures—it was so nostalgic to watch them just being kids. Every time they see me in the hallway, they smile, wave, give compliments, or even come up and hug me. Their energy makes me feel like a movie star.
It’s such a unique experience to see what a typical day in a Spanish elementary school is like. It’s completely different from what I’m used to in the U.S. Here, they start learning English as early as age 3. Meanwhile, I didn’t start learning Spanish until I was 15!
The other teachers were well aware of the language barrier and always made an effort to translate when possible. I did the same! Whenever I wanted to ask something, I would look it up and do my best to say it in their language. If this experience has taught me anything, it’s patience. I can’t be upset with them for not speaking my language — after all, I’m the one in their country! But they’ve been incredibly accommodating in trying to speak mine.
It was such a heartwarming and nostalgic first day—it truly made my inner child happy. I’m sure the kids will stay energetic all year long! It’s going to be wonderful to see their smiling faces each morning, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. Even though it’s a small school, the kids have big hearts and even bigger smiles. I’m grateful for all the days I have yet to experience.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World