Let’s just get this out of the way: There is no perfect time to do NALCAP. I know, not the satisfying answer you were hoping for. But honestly, that’s what makes the experience so interesting. It doesn’t fit neatly into a “right time” box, because it ends up shaping your life in ways you didn’t plan for anyway. What does matter is where you are in your own life, and what you’re hoping to get out of it.
A lot of people go straight into NALCAP after graduating, and on paper, it makes sense. You’re fresh out of school, you want an adventure, and Spain is calling your name. But here’s the honest part people don’t always say: When you come back, the job search can feel a little harder.
One thing I really want to emphasize is that I know this experience sounds dreamy on paper. And if I’m being completely honest, I find myself feeling nostalgic about my first year here all the time. Sometimes I think I’m chasing the feelings and emotions I experienced during that first year abroad because, truly, it felt euphoric, especially considering I never had the chance to study abroad. But as magical as this experience can be, it’s important to be realistic about what it takes to make a move like this successful. You need a solid financial cushion before coming to Spain.
If you value comfort, financial stability, and security, I would strongly consider building up your savings first and then exploring Spain through a different visa route, long-term travel, or another opportunity down the road. If you’re already struggling financially in the U.S., moving abroad may not solve those problems and, in some cases, can make them more challenging.
Personally, I recommend having at least $3,000 in savings before making the move. This gives you a buffer for deposits, flights, setting up your apartment, unexpected expenses, delayed payments, and everything else that comes with starting a new life in another country.
It’s also important to remember that NALCAP is a cultural exchange program, not a traditional job. It’s a temporary opportunity designed to help participants experience life in Spain while supporting English language education. The pay and benefits are unlikely to match what you may currently earn in a full-time position back home.
As much as I love Spain, and as grateful as I am for everything this experience has given me, I think it’s important to acknowledge that Spain’s job market can be challenging, especially for foreigners. If you’re currently in a stable corporate role with benefits, retirement contributions, and a clear career path, take the time to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making the leap.
There have been auxiliares who mentioned that returning to the U.S. and re-entering their previous industries was more difficult than they expected. That’s not meant to scare you, but rather to encourage you to think long-term. This experience can absolutely change your life for the better, but it’s still important to have a plan for what comes next. Spain gave me some of the best years of my life, but I think the most successful auxiliares are the ones who arrive with both excitement and realistic expectations.
Being an auxiliar isn’t the most “career-aligned” role unless you actually want to go into teaching. So if you’re trying to jump straight into a corporate job or something super specific, it might feel like you took a slight detour. But, and this is important, that detour isn’t wasted. If anything, this experience teaches you something most people don’t learn that early: You can build a life around your interests, not just a job title.
Let’s be honest, most people don’t move to Spain because they’re deeply passionate about teaching English. They come because:
- They want to live abroad
- They want a different lifestyle
- They want to travel
- They want to feel something new
And there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, that’s kind of the point. NALCAP becomes less about the “job” and more about the life you build around it.
What This Experience Actually Teaches You
This is the part no one can really explain until you’re in it. Living abroad will teach you:
- What you actually need vs. what you thought you needed
- What kind of lifestyle makes you happy
- How much do you value stability, money, freedom, or adventure
You might realize:
- You miss financial security and want to go home
- Or you care more about lifestyle than a high-paying job
- Or you want something completely different than what you studied
And that perspective, you take it with you no matter where you go next.
“Is This Just a Break from Real Life?”
It can feel like that sometimes. Like you’ve pressed pause on your “real” career and stepped into this fun, slightly chaotic chapter. But here’s the truth: This is your life, just in a different form. You’re still growing, learning, making decisions, and building your future, just not in the traditional way. And honestly, there’s something really beautiful about that. Spain can be a phase, a reset, or the beginning of something you didn’t even know you wanted
If You Want a Short-Term Experience
If you already know: “This is a 1–2 year thing for me.” Perfect, then go all in:
- Travel as much as you can
- Say yes to experiences
- Don’t overthink the “next step” too much
Just make the most of it and enjoy the chapter for what it is.
If You’re Not Sure What You Want
This is where it gets interesting. If you’re thinking: “I just want to try it and see what happens…” Then go, but be a little strategic.
- Consider building a financial cushion before you come
- Think about side hustles or remote work beforehand
- Give yourself options in case you fall in love with the lifestyle
Because that happens a lot. You come for a year, and suddenly you’re like, “Wait… I don’t think I’m done here.”
My Personal Experience
I moved back home to TN from Los Angeles in December 2023. I knew I needed a change of environment, something to reset me a bit, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t have some big, mapped-out plan. My idea was simply to go home, breathe, and figure things out as I went.
Then, sometime around mid to late January of 2024, a friend sent me a TikTok about the program. One of those random, “this could be fun” moments. I remember thinking, why not? Let’s just see what happens. I applied without overthinking it and went right back to my life, not expecting much.
But then April came around, and I got my acceptance. And suddenly it hit me, “Wait, this could actually be real.” That moment felt like the beginning of something, even if I didn’t fully understand what I was stepping into yet.
Fast forward, and here I am almost two years later, completely in love with the life I’ve built here and the version of myself I’ve grown into. What started as a random, slightly impulsive decision turned into something that reshaped my entire perspective on life.
It taught me that not every move needs to be perfectly planned to be right. Sometimes you just follow a feeling, take the opportunity in front of you, and trust that you’ll figure the rest out along the way. And somehow, it turned into one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It hasn’t been perfect, and it definitely hasn’t been easy all the time, but it’s been worth it in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
So… when is the best time?
There isn’t one, but there is a right time for you. Ask yourself:
“Am I craving a change?“
“Am I open to uncertainty?“
“Am I okay with things not fitting perfectly into a career timeline?“
If the answer is yes, you’re probably closer to ready than you think, and if not, that’s okay too.
But I’ll leave you with this. One thing I really try to live by is simple: try things, at least once. Give yourself the chance to experience it before you decide it’s not for you. Because the truth is, it’s always better to have an answer than to sit there wondering “what if.”
Not everything you try is going to work out, and not every decision will make perfect sense, but every experience gives you clarity. It shows you what you like, what you don’t, what you’re willing to tolerate, and what you actually want your life to look like.
And honestly, that kind of clarity is worth more than playing it safe. So whether it’s NALCAP, moving abroad, switching careers, or just doing something that feels a little out of character, try it. You can always pivot, you can always change direction, but at least you won’t be left guessing.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
