February
The journey began with a mix of excitement and curiosity when I submitted my application for the program. It marked the start of something I had only been dreaming about for a few months: living abroad.
The application process itself was actually pretty straightforward. I gathered all my documents within the first week and submitted everything the same day applications opened, February 9th. After that, there really wasn’t much left to do except wait.
Of course, if you’re anything like me, waiting doesn’t exactly mean relaxing. I kept wondering if I had applied correctly or if I had accidentally missed a document somewhere along the way. But realistically, there was nothing more I could do besides trust that everything had gone through properly and try not to overthink it too much.
Luckily, I had a friend who was already living in Spain at the time, and she actually helped me apply. Since the application pages were in Spanish, she was able to translate everything for me and make sure I was filling things out correctly. Looking back, that helped ease my nerves a lot during the process.
March
March was all about practicing patience. At this stage, there was absolutely nothing I could do except wait for an update. I kept reminding myself that the process takes time and that things would fall into place when they were supposed to.
Instead of constantly checking my email every five minutes, I tried to focus on living my life normally and trusting that eventually the answer would come. It became a little mental exercise in letting go of control and learning to trust the process.
April
The most memorable day came on April 1st, when I received the email saying I had been accepted into the program. The funny part? It was April Fool’s Day.
For a split second, I actually wondered if it was some kind of joke. But once it sank in that it was real, my excitement instantly skyrocketed. Suddenly, this idea of living abroad wasn’t just a dream anymore. It was actually happening.
As if the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, I also took my first ever trip to Spain that same month. I went to visit the friend who had helped me apply and stayed with her in Barcelona.
It was my first time not only in Spain, but in Europe in general. Everything felt new, vibrant, and exciting. Walking through the streets, hearing different languages, and experiencing the culture. It gave me a small glimpse into what life abroad could feel like. That trip made everything feel real and left me wanting even more.
May
May came with a few unexpected challenges. As you may or may not know, I had moved back from Los Angeles in December of 2023 and was essentially starting from scratch. I didn’t really have a solid job lined up at the time, and honestly, I had originally applied to the program just to see what would happen.
But now that I had been accepted, reality started to set in. I needed to figure out how I was going to support myself and prepare for the move.
I was planning to temporarily move to Memphis for the summer, hoping to find work and get myself back on stable ground. That transition came with its own challenges. Between job searching, adjusting to a new environment again, and figuring out my next steps, the month felt like a balancing act.
Even with all the uncertainty, Spain stayed at the back of my mind as the bigger goal that kept me moving forward.
June
June brought more progress, but also more waiting. On June 5th, I finally received my regional placement (Valencia, which was my 2nd preference). It felt like a small victory because at least I knew where in Spain I would be going. I also completed my FBI background check and sent off the payment for my apostille.
At this stage, though, the waiting somehow felt even harder. All I wanted was my school placement so I could finally start making real plans. Knowing only your region is both exciting and frustrating. You can’t really plan anything yet because you don’t know your exact city or school. It felt like being given a puzzle piece without the rest of the puzzle.
July
July quickly turned into preparation mode. If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead, like me, this stage can feel both exciting and overwhelming. I started joining different expat groups online, asking questions, and trying to gather as much information as possible.
At times, it felt helpful. Other times, it felt like complete information overload.
I created endless checklists, spent hours researching housing, and started thinking about how I would build a support system once I arrived. There were definitely a few mental breakdowns along the way. Okay, probably more than a few.
But every time I started feeling overwhelmed, I reminded myself that this was all part of the process of building a new life.
August
If July was intense, August was a full whirlwind. My to-do lists seemed to grow longer every single day. Between scheduling appointments, figuring out insurance, confirming roommates, and dealing with travel logistics, it sometimes felt like everything was happening at once.
The biggest milestone, though, was sending off my visa application at the beginning of the month. That was probably the most nerve-racking part of the entire process.
Luckily, everything went surprisingly smoothly. Most people say the visa process takes around four to eight weeks, but mine was approved in about three weeks. Even better, I was able to mail everything in and receive everything back by mail. No in-person appointments and no complications with my documents.
When that visa finally arrived, it felt like a massive weight had been lifted.
September
And just like that, September arrived. The final countdown.
This month was all about tying up loose ends and getting ready for the move. I started selling some of my belongings, organizing important documents, and preparing for the reality of relocating to another country.
I even downsized my closet, which felt symbolic in a way. Letting go of things physically made space for the new life I was about to step into.
With my flight booked and temporary housing arranged for my first few weeks, everything was officially set in motion.
Interestingly enough, September felt calmer than I expected. Most people say this is the most stressful stage of the process, but I actually felt a strange sense of peace.
Maybe it was intuition, or maybe it was just exhaustion after months of preparation, but something in the back of my mind kept telling me that everything would work out.
And somehow, it did.
Within a week of arriving in Spain, I was able to find a place to live thanks to my Spanish-speaking roommate. I spent my first few days resting, adjusting to the time change, and tracking down my missing luggage. But slowly, piece by piece, things started falling into place.
And now, here I am. Finally settling into the life I once only imagined.
Sometimes the best decisions are the ones you make a little bit on a whim.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
