Author Topic: Help in Barcelona? (Read 3483 times)

Carlo · « **on:** September 14, 2002, 02:03:00 PM »

I am an American in London and will go to Barecelona soon to sauce things out. My goal is to live and work there, hopefully for some years. Am quite aware of work permit problems for North Americans (have saved for the move) but would like to find ex-pats or locals who could show me around a bit, the city, contacts, nice places to get rooms in flats and all. I\'m good for some beer and meals, aye? I am late twenties, taugh English when I studied in East Asia (was an Asian languages major), pretty well educated, worked as a film and script editor as well. Really like teaching, but need as much advice and help as possible. By-the-way, this site is wonderful, a godsend! Thanks,

-Carlo[addsig]

Tracy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2002, 03:44:00 PM »

Welcome Carlo, and thanks so much for the compliment! Our Barcelona correspondent, Triston, should be returning to BCN by October. He\'s on vacation in the States now. I\'ll let him know about your situation...Otherwise, Hope all the others in BCN read your mail and get in touch!!!!

[IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_beer.gif\"] Did you hear that folks??? Beer, aye? [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_love.gif\"] [addsig]

Sibsie · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2002, 09:43:00 PM »

Hi Carlo. I\'m a Northern Costa Blanca based Brit who\'s actually in London now selling my house here. I\'m not too far from BCN and it\'s a great city, one of the best, if not the best in Spain. I have an American friend coming to visit me in November so my all means keep in touch.[addsig]

Triston · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2002, 09:53:00 PM »

Hola Carlo:

First of all, welcome to Barcelona. You\'re gonna love it. I know I do. Now the hard part, actualy LIVING there. I have been in Barcelona since April. I saved up and moved. I did alot of research but nothing prepares you more than actually being there. If you are going to be there in the next month or so, I would strongly advise looking for a job teaching English in the many language schools that are located all over Barcelona. This is the time to be looking for one. If you want to sit around and take in the City for a while, make sure you have enough money saved to do so. I was advised by some Brits that live in Barcelona now that there are some attorneys in Barcelona that wil help you get visas for under 500 euros. I have not looked further into it, but that is what I have heard from two sources. I plan to look into that ASAP. Also, if you speak Castillian, it would definitely be to your advantage. Very few Spaniards speak English. If you want to try your hand at ther jobs, you can look into bartending or working at a restaurant, but again, if you don\'t speak the language, odds are that you will not be hired. That said, never let that deter you. If you have a quick wit, anything can happen. If you have enough saved, you really will have the advantage of being able to sit back, take things ina nd know when and where to strike. I hope you have a good pair of trainers!!

[addsig]

Mermaid · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2002, 10:05:00 PM »

Hi Carl,

I\'m the American about whom Sibsie speaks. [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif\"]

I can\'t wait to see Barcelona in all its glory!

I have nothing to add except I wish I could say the same thing about being on my way there to live for a while! I wish you all the best in finding a niche for yourself in BCN.

And Triston, can you give us a yell if you find anything about the 500 Euro work visa? I\'d be very interested to hear all about that. [addsig]

Carlo · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2002, 03:25:00 PM »

Thanks Triston for the info. I do have money saved, but would like to work soon. I speak a bit of Castillian, enough to get by, but learn languages quickly. Some Irish friends told me I should check out some of the Irish pubs for work as well, I also play jazz piano and guitar, so that might be an option. Thanks everyone for the responses.

-Carlo[addsig]

queenofrubbish · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2002, 03:27:00 AM »

Whoa Triston, you are my new best friend. Not only because you have the same name as my brother (and it\'s a rarity as I am sure you know!), but also because you\'re sharing the word on the street...about the lawyers who\'ll help with a work visa. I too am moving to Barcelona (like Carl) for the next year, but that news really made my eyes light up because when I return to the States (next summer), I am starting law school in Vermont. Of course, the advice from everyone who has given their "two cents" on my soon-to-start adventure is: work in a law firm in Spain! Yeah, right. My weeks of research [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_psychotic.gif\"] have left me empty-handed in that arena (and the whole job search in general, for that matter). Soooooo, you must be talking about some sort of miracle, but I\'ll buy in if it gives me hope. I would be indebted to you FOREVER if you could get the low down on that situation...at this point, I don\'t even mind if they can\'t get me a work visa...I\'d just want to make friends with the lawyers (an odd thought for most people!) so I can get the experience if they have anything to offer work-wise or any connections.

Mil Mil Mil Gracias,

Courtney [addsig]

Carlo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2002, 04:32:00 PM »

Thanks again everyone. This site has been a big help! Anyone who will be knocking on language school doors in Oct., let me know: It is always nice to have someone to talk to while doing the grunt work, vent frustration over a beer... Triston, any word on those lawyers? Also, if anyone has a list of schools that \'look the other way\' as to visas, as well as cheap hostiles (outside of Lonely Planet) and places to stash stuff, that would be greatly appreciated. I think I am done with questions now, hopefully can give back to the site in the future. Best!!!!!! [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_psychotic.gif\"] [addsig]

solidaridad · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2002, 04:01:00 AM »

I am an american freelance writer living in Seattle, and I\'m planning a monthlong trip to Bcn Nov/Dec \'02. I am interested in teaching english, though I have no TEFL certification. I was, however, an English/Russian major at UW-Madison, and have some teaching experience. I am currently taking intro spanish courses and I\'m also thinking of looking into Indymedia.org/barcelona for writing opportunities. I am engaged to a woman in Barcelona so my accomodations are not a problem, but I would be interested in contacting all you folks currently living in, or soon to be living in, Barcelona. This site is very helpful to folks like me-thanks. [addsig]

Carlo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2002, 11:49:00 AM »

Hey Solidaridad, I am from Spokane and did my Chinese program at UW in Seattle, lived by Ravena park! I do some freelance too, maybe an option; perhaps for some English language papers? I wonder if there is an art & entertainment magazine like \'Time Out\' for Anglophones in BCN? Try:

[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --] & [!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.barcelonaconnect.com\" target=\"_blank\"]www.barcelonaconnect.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]

There might be leads there. Good luck with the job hunt.

[addsig]

Tracy · « **Reply #10 on:** September 29, 2002, 03:11:00 PM »

I would definitely agree with Carlo on the freelance writing thing. I believe you have to be fluent in both Spanish and English to write for Indymedia.org

Good luck[addsig]

News:

Author Topic: Help in Barcelona? (Read 3483 times)

solidaridad