I can only speak from my own experience, but when it comes to work-life balance in Spain, I’ll be honest: I’m completely spoiled and deeply grateful for the schedule I have. Because I’m part of a cultural exchange program, I work about four hours a day, four days a week, and I’m usually done by 2 PM. I also receive private health insurance through the program, which still feels wild to say out loud. On top of that, I get to work with energetic kids. Yes, they’re sometimes chaotic, but mostly they’re fun, curious, and keep life interesting.
I know some people might write this off as a “glorified exchange program,” but even beyond my situation, Spain genuinely operates at a different pace. Many Spanish businesses, banks, and shops still close for two to three hours in the middle of the day for siesta. Time is built into the culture to rest, reset, eat slowly, and actually live your life. Work isn’t treated as the center of your identity here, and that alone changes everything. It’s not perfect, but the balance is real, and once you experience it, it’s hard to imagine going back to anything else.
If I really wanted to, I could easily take on another part-time job or even a full-time but flexible position, especially if it’s remote. But honestly? I don’t feel the need to. My stress levels here are significantly lower, and I think it has a lot to do with the overall lifestyle. People in Spain just seem more relaxed. There’s less of that constant pressure to go, go, go, and you’re not bombarded with an overload of negative news like in the U.S.
At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about siesta. Coming from a culture where you’re expected to maximize productivity at all hours, it felt strange to have the entire country pause in the middle of the day. But now? I get it. I’ve adjusted. And I kind of love it. I used to think Sundays were meant for running errands, but now I actually take Sundays to rest. Imagine that!
The work culture in Spain and the U.S. couldn’t be more different, and honestly, experiencing both has been eye-opening.
🇪🇸 Spain: Work to Live
Spain embraces a much more relaxed approach to work. Here, people truly value work-life balance, and that’s reflected in everything from their longer lunch breaks to their famous “siesta” culture. While the traditional midday nap isn’t as common as outsiders think, many businesses still close for a few hours in the afternoon, allowing people to rest, socialize, or enjoy a meal. The workweek tends to be shorter, and vacations? Non-negotiable. People actually take their time off without guilt, which is refreshing compared to the U.S.
🇺🇸 USA: Live to Work
On the flip side, the U.S. thrives on hustle culture. Long hours, back-to-back meetings, and the glorification of being “busy” are the norm. Productivity is king, and there’s often an unspoken pressure to be available 24/7. Vacation days are fewer, and even when people have them, many feel guilty about using them, or worse, they still check their emails. There’s a constant drive to climb the corporate ladder, which can be motivating but also exhausting.
Having experienced both, I can see the pros and cons of each. The U.S. work culture pushes people to achieve, but at what cost? Meanwhile, Spain prioritizes enjoying life, but that sometimes means things move at a slower pace, which can be frustrating when you’re used to efficiency. It all comes down to what you value most: success or serenity? Or maybe, just maybe, there’s a sweet spot somewhere in between.
Spain has definitely got it right. And while I don’t know where life will take me next, one thing is certain: I’m never settling for less than this kind of balance ever again.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
