February:
The journey began with a mix of excitement and anticipation as I submitted my application for the program. This moment marked the start of something I had dreamed about for only a few months—living abroad. The process was straightforward, I gathered all my documents within the first week and submitted them on the day applications opened, February 9th. After that, there wasn’t much to do except wait.
March:
March was all about practicing patience and staying calm. I kept telling myself that things would fall into place, and I focused on trusting the process. I knew that soon enough, I’d get the answers I was waiting for, and until then, I took each day as it came.
April:
The most memorable day was April 1st when I received the news—I had been accepted into the program! That moment felt surreal because it did fall on April Fools. My excitement for the move skyrocketed, especially after taking my first-ever trip to Spain this month. The trip was unforgettable and gave me a taste of what was to come, leaving me eager for more.
May:
In May, life threw me a curveball. I attempted a move to Memphis for the summer, which came with its own set of challenges. Between job searching, figuring out my next steps, and managing uncertainty, this month felt like a balancing act. But through it all, Spain stayed at the forefront of my mind, motivating me to keep pushing forward. I was still patiently waiting for my next important email.
June:
This month brought more progress and a lot of waiting. On June 5th, I received my regional placement! I finally got my background check done, and after waiting what felt like an eternity (11 days to be exact), I submitted the payment for my apostille. This was definitely the hardest wait because all I wanted was my school placement so I could begin the real planning.
July:
July was all about preparation and information overload. I started reaching out to various expat groups, which was both insightful and overwhelming. I created endless checklists, tried to wrap my head around all the logistics, and spent countless hours doing research. There were some mental breakdowns (okay, more than a few) as I dealt with the stress of finding roommates and building a support system, but I reminded myself that it was all part of the process.
August:
If July was intense, August was a whirlwind. The to-do lists kept growing, and so did the mental breakdowns. I found myself constantly revising my plans as things shifted—new roommates, more appointments, and managing health concerns along the way. The stress reached its peak with dealing with insurance and carriers, but the silver lining was sending off my visa application at the start of the month and finally receiving it by the end! That was a huge relief.
September:
And here we are—the final countdown! September has been all about logistics and making things happen. I’ve been planning the move down to the smallest details, selling my belongings, updating my documents, and organizing everything. I even downsized my closet, embracing the idea of letting go and making space for new energy and experiences in Spain. With my flight booked and a place to stay secured for the first few weeks, everything is set in motion.
Flash forward to the end of the month, and everything has worked out as smoothly as an international move can. I now have a place to call home. Surprisingly, I felt calmer in September, which is supposedly the hardest part of the process. Within a week of arriving, I found a place to live. I took the first few days to rest and track my missing luggage, but now I’m here and finally feeling closer to settling in. I’m just happy to have a place to call home.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
