25 AND OVER CLUB! The Older Auxiliares of 2011

[Future Diplomat]

As I understand it, most of those heading off to Spain will be in their early to mid-twenties and recent graduates of university.

As someone who recently turned 26 (October, 2010), and who graduated from university in 2007, I feel that I will be a little on the older side. Is that safe to say, or am I just over-thinking the situation?

I'd really like to connect with some of the older members here, just to see what their plans are, and how they feel being a little bit older might impact their experience in Spain.

Sorry if I am rambling, I've been up for a while!

• Tweet

[reve119]

I turn 26 in a few weeks and graduated in 2006.  I plan to hopefully be an auxilar for 2 years.  I'm using this as a stepping stone to develop my fluency in Spanish (I eventually want to work on my French too, but I'd rather not get too ambitious at this point).

I do wonder how my age will affect my experience.  I don't feel like I'm so old where I'd feel awkward being a language and culture assistant in of itself, but if there are other auxilares to befriend, it may be a little weird being older with a bit more life experience and not really into the club scene. 

• Tweet

[jesspanol]

I did the program in 2009-2010 when I was 25.  I've applied to go back for the 2011-2012 school year, by which time I'll be 27.  I didn't find that my age hindered me in any way, at least not as far as other people were concerned.  It was really my own feeling of awkwardness at being slightly older than a lot of the other auxiliares that kept me from fully enjoying myself at first.  I'll be honest, I kind of felt like a loser for being 25 and having a "job" that only required about 16 hours of work a week.  It didn't feel very responsible or adult-like.  I also felt a lot older than the other auxiliares in my area, even though most of them were only 1-3 years younger than me, and a lot lamer because I wasn't at all interested in going out drinking and dancing.

The truth, though, is that you're doing this for you.  What do you want to get out of it?  If this program is going to help you reach a goal, or give you the kind of experience you dream about, or make you happy, that's all that really matters, not your age.  The teachers at my school didn't think it was weird that I was as "old" as I was and doing teaching assistant work rather than slaving away at a 40-hour-a-week career-track job in the US (or what would have been more likely in my case given the economy, a supermarket cashier).  They thought it was great.  The students didn't know exactly how old I was and they didn't care.  They were just super excited that there was an American at their school (I was the first auxiliar the school had ever had) and really wanted to practice their English with me.

After a few months I realized how stupid I was being for getting hung up on age and letting it get in the way of having the best possible experience.  I think, because of the society we've grown up in, that we feel we should be doing certain things by certain ages and that if we're not, then there's something wrong with us.  What a horrible way to look at life.  We should be focused on the things that bring joy and satisfaction to our lives and not feel guilty if those things don't fall in line with what we supposedly should be doing.  I don't want to sound all life-coachy or anything, but seriously, just be yourself, do your best at your school, enjoy all the freedom and free time, and you'll have a wonderful year.

And one last thought: don't assume the other auxiliares you meet are younger than you - you might be surprised to find that some of them are slightly older, too! 

• Tweet

[ajnabiyya]

Everything's relative! The posters so far are young compared to me - I'm almost 34, married with a kid, and planning to leave behind full-time public school teaching to do the program. It works for me - I'm thrilled by the idea of working 16 hours instead of my current overloaded schedule, and my situation is a little unusual anyway (my husband's Spanish, so we both have permission to get work besides my auxiliar hours). The field of ESL teaching is full of people in all kinds of life situations who entered or dipped into ESL for a variety of reasons, and living abroad is full of plenty of people and opportunities besides clubbing with a bunch of American twenty-one year olds, so I should think that the members of the 25 and over club should be able to have as good an experience as anyone in the program.

• Tweet

[beachp]

As I understand it, most of those heading off to Spain will be in their early to mid-twenties and recent graduates of university.

As someone who recently turned 26 (October, 2010), and who graduated from university in 2007, I feel that I will be a little on the older side. Is that safe to say, or am I just over-thinking the situation?

I'd really like to connect with some of the older members here, just to see what their plans are, and how they feel being a little bit older might impact their experience in Spain.

Sorry if I am rambling, I've been up for a while!

There are assistants that are your age and older.  the best thing you can do is not limit yourself to just being with other American assistants anyway.  I don't see how your  age has that much to do with your experience in Spain. It think it's more who you are and what you like to do then your being 26 or 27.

• Tweet

[SRedw]

I am 40 this year and am still a language assistant, which doesn-t bother me at all. I am going to milk this cash cow as long as I can. So, age is nothing but a number.

Shawn

• Tweet

[Reportinglove]

The same thoughts went through my head to be honest. I'm 25 and I do feel a bit "older" than the average applicant but I don't think it's a huge deal.

What concerns me more is that I'm leaving my life behind (stable job etc.) to do embark on a crazy Spanish adventure. My friends think I'm nuts!

• Tweet

[kellidoscope]

I´m 33 and I am here with my husband and daughter. I do not feel like my age makes a difference although because I don´t look my age most probably assume I´m younger. I think it is a little harder to get situated here having a family with me but I have no regrets whatsoever and have already applied for my second year! If there´s any questions from those bringing family I´d be happy to help

• Tweet

[rosnjust]

Im 35 and it is nice to know there are other people over 30 in this program. I find this such a great opportunity. I have had such a great working life and school life so now I want to experience something new. To me you can't compare your life to others because it's your life and you have to live it. Do what you want...like TI said.. Live Your Life! LOL! Anyway, I am waiting to hear if I will be living and teaching in Spain. So exciting!

Cheers

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

Im 35 and it is nice to know there are other people over 30 in this program. I find this such a great opportunity. I have had such a great working life and school life so now I want to experience something new. To me you can't compare your life to others because it's your life and you have to live it. Do what you want...like TI said.. Live Your Life! LOL! Anyway, I am waiting to hear if I will be living and teaching in Spain. So exciting!

Cheers

Hi - how old is your daughter?  Is she in school?  We're hoping to come over with our family....right now I'm stuck in the 'bad fingerprint' cycle....and trying to figure out from the Consulate if they have an alternative.

• Tweet

[RebeccaG]

Hi everyone!

First and foremost, welcome to those going through the language assistant program for 2011-2012! I am sure you will the experience to be rewarding and challenging.

26, IMHO, is veeeeryyy young.  . Once you get to my age, everything is young. You will be fine with the age difference. One of the beautiful things about Madrid is that there are so many more things to do on the weekends besides drinking and clubbing.

Lastly, those who are coming here with their families and are looking to establish connections. Feel free to contact me. I'd be happy to meet up with you. I am married and we live here with our 5 year old son who we are raising bilingually (he attends one of the public bilingual schools-- who knows, maybe one of you are his teaching assistant.) Trust me, the role of the teaching assistant is VERY MUCH appreciated, if not by the schools...then definitely by the parents! We have been living here for 10 years and I have a nice network of families also raising their children bilingually. So don't hesitate!

Take care!

-R

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

So now...as an 'older' applicant... I need to know whether others over the 34 year old threshold are getting adjudicada.  My husband and I are #11 and #12 and we picked Extremadura as our first region and still...while the adjudicada numbers are in the 900's, we're in the wait mode and it's super frustrating.  We're getting more than discouraged by it all, as we can't get answers from anyone...so, I want to know if anyone else, older, is having issues.

• Tweet

[woodmanwilcox]

Thanks for starting this thread, mdechelle! I feel you on this one.

Assuming I'm accepted, I'll be starting as a first year language assistant at 26. I'm leaving full-time employment behind, and I'm wondering what I'll have in common with a bunch of fresh-faced 22-year-olds who haven't had to deal with (attempting to) start a career while knee-deep in the recession. 

I have a few thoughts on managing my expectations, etc.

1.) If you want to hang with the 22-year-olds, invest in 5-hour energy shots (or the Spanish equivalent). The youngsters are going to want to go out (late); if that's where we're looking to base our friend groups...we're going to need some extra juice.

2.) Don't hang out with the youngsters. This is what I'll probably do; I spent a 6 months abroad after college, and I know that I was a hot mess with culture shock. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing a lot of the young assistants will be the same. I like to think of myself as older and wiser now, not to mention capable to finding better company.

In short, I'm not "young at heart." I don't hang out with people younger than myself now, and I don't plan to do so when I'm in Spain. I'm not saying I plan to isolate myself from other assistants, but I do plan to act my age!

• Tweet

[pittel]

Thanks for starting this thread, mdechelle! I feel you on this one.

Assuming I'm accepted, I'll be starting as a first year language assistant at 26. I'm leaving full-time employment behind, and I'm wondering what I'll have in common with a bunch of fresh-faced 22-year-olds who haven't had to deal with (attempting to) start a career while knee-deep in the recession. 

I have a few thoughts on managing my expectations, etc.

1.) If you want to hang with the 22-year-olds, invest in 5-hour energy shots (or the Spanish equivalent). The youngsters are going to want to go out (late); if that's where we're looking to base our friend groups...we're going to need some extra juice.

2.) Don't hang out with the youngsters. This is what I'll probably do; I spent a 6 months abroad after college, and I know that I was a hot mess with culture shock. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing a lot of the young assistants will be the same. I like to think of myself as older and wiser now, not to mention capable to finding better company.

In short, I'm not "young at heart." I don't hang out with people younger than myself now, and I don't plan to do so when I'm in Spain. I'm not saying I plan to isolate myself from other assistants, but I do plan to act my age!

Haha, that's hilarious. I'm 25 and the couple years makes a huge difference! Some of the people that do this are pretty young (19 some of them!), and on their year abroad, so all they want to do is paaaaaaarty. I know how it goes because when I was studying abroad at 21, I was there too.

There haven't been as many 8 am nights for this girl, but on the other hand, I'm more comfortable in saying, "Nope, not going to that disco, I wanna sleep!".

Don't worry about age, you'll find people that are your age and probably older. This program is gaining popularity with people of all ages. The assistant that was at my school before me was 35 with 3 kids and the kids loved him.

• Tweet

[Reportinglove]

Thanks for starting this thread, mdechelle! I feel you on this one.

Assuming I'm accepted, I'll be starting as a first year language assistant at 26. I'm leaving full-time employment behind, and I'm wondering what I'll have in common with a bunch of fresh-faced 22-year-olds who haven't had to deal with (attempting to) start a career while knee-deep in the recession. 

I have a few thoughts on managing my expectations, etc.

1.) If you want to hang with the 22-year-olds, invest in 5-hour energy shots (or the Spanish equivalent). The youngsters are going to want to go out (late); if that's where we're looking to base our friend groups...we're going to need some extra juice.

2.) Don't hang out with the youngsters. This is what I'll probably do; I spent a 6 months abroad after college, and I know that I was a hot mess with culture shock. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing a lot of the young assistants will be the same. I like to think of myself as older and wiser now, not to mention capable to finding better company.

In short, I'm not "young at heart." I don't hang out with people younger than myself now, and I don't plan to do so when I'm in Spain. I'm not saying I plan to isolate myself from other assistants, but I do plan to act my age!

OMG you summarized my thoughts exactly! I'll be 26 in October and I'm struggling to wrap my head around having 20-year-old friends. I really do hope I meet people my age!!!

• Tweet

[Enteren]

I'll be 27 when I get to Madrid and I'm not worried.  I feel experienced enough that I'm not intimidated by meeting the new students or teaching. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the education system in Spain works, and meeting the teachers. Getting an apartment and the amount of the monthly stipend doesn't worry me, cause I've been poor and homeless before in a new city and I know worrying helps nothing. Getting older is awesome!

However, I will still be out - drinking on the streets, drinking in the bars, dancing in the clubs! Even until 8am! Maybe.

• Tweet

[cconrad]

Thanks for starting this thread, mdechelle! I feel you on this one.

Assuming I'm accepted, I'll be starting as a first year language assistant at 26. I'm leaving full-time employment behind, and I'm wondering what I'll have in common with a bunch of fresh-faced 22-year-olds who haven't had to deal with (attempting to) start a career while knee-deep in the recession. 

I have a few thoughts on managing my expectations, etc.

1.) If you want to hang with the 22-year-olds, invest in 5-hour energy shots (or the Spanish equivalent). The youngsters are going to want to go out (late); if that's where we're looking to base our friend groups...we're going to need some extra juice.

2.) Don't hang out with the youngsters. This is what I'll probably do; I spent a 6 months abroad after college, and I know that I was a hot mess with culture shock. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing a lot of the young assistants will be the same. I like to think of myself as older and wiser now, not to mention capable to finding better company.

In short, I'm not "young at heart." I don't hang out with people younger than myself now, and I don't plan to do so when I'm in Spain. I'm not saying I plan to isolate myself from other assistants, but I do plan to act my age!

I´m going to be devil´s advocate here, but I started my first year when I was 21, just out of University. Yes, I´m younger, but that doesn´t mean I´m an idiot. The good thing about the auxiliar program is it is different from study abroad. Applying, getting into, and managing the visa and daily requirements of a real life outside the country, not just a brief stay, requires a bit more planning and interest than signing up for a prefabricated study abroad.
The people who are auxiliars here, whether we are 21 or 37, tend (in my opinion) to be slightly more "serious" than people here to study. Most of us come with work experience, I have worked since I was 14. Most of us are hellbent on learning perfect Spanish, I still have a study date with friends and I´m well into my second year. Yes, we party, but then again Spanish people into their 50s are out until 3 am on weekends. It´s a culture.
Just as you wouldn´t want people to judge you on your age, assuming you are a certain way because you are plus 26, don´t write off us younger people as drink-until-8am-on-weeknights idiots. Come with an open mind.

• Tweet

[elph77]

I´m going to be devil´s advocate here, but I started my first year when I was 21, just out of University. Yes, I´m younger, but that doesn´t mean I´m an idiot. The good thing about the auxiliar program is it is different from study abroad. Applying, getting into, and managing the visa and daily requirements of a real life outside the country, not just a brief stay, requires a bit more planning and interest than signing up for a prefabricated study abroad.
The people who are auxiliars here, whether we are 21 or 37, tend (in my opinion) to be slightly more "serious" than people here to study. Most of us come with work experience, I have worked since I was 14. Most of us are hellbent on learning perfect Spanish, I still have a study date with friends and I´m well into my second year. Yes, we party, but then again Spanish people into their 50s are out until 3 am on weekends. It´s a culture.
Just as you wouldn´t want people to judge you on your age, assuming you are a certain way because you are plus 26, don´t write off us younger people as drink-until-8am-on-weeknights idiots. Come with an open mind.

I totally agree. I'm 26 and a lot of my friends are in their early 20s... I also have older friends. It depends more on the things you have in common than on age. Once when I was studying abroad I had a roommate who was actually older than me, but would party way more, and we just didn't have similar interests. I guess we just found different groups to hang out with...  Also, just as some older people may look down on younger ones for being immature, also older ones fear being ostracized by younger ones because they're not fun enough, or they act too mature, or who knows. I just hope I'll be able to find a kind of balance between the two.

• Tweet

[garciaotk]

Has anyone over age 35 been place? I was number #1167 and I know off others who are over 35 that have not been placed yet either and had lower numbers than me. I hope applying was not a waste of my time. I love Spain so much and I did the program 2 years ago.

• Tweet

[ajnabiyya]

Has anyone over age 35 been place? I was number #1167 and I know off others who are over 35 that have not been placed yet either and had lower numbers than me. I hope applying was not a waste of my time. I love Spain so much and I did the program 2 years ago.

For what it's worth, I'm 34 and I've been placed. You might try emailing the contact person at your consulate and see what they say.

• Tweet

[rosnjust]

it does

Has anyone over age 35 been place? I was number #1167 and I know off others who are over 35 that have not been placed yet either and had lower numbers than me. I hope applying was not a waste of my time. I love Spain so much and I did the program 2 years ago.

it does say in the manual that over 35 is subject for review by the specific region. i am #2587, so i am still waiting of course. you might want to send an email. please do!!

• Tweet

[rosnjust]

it does

it does say in the manual that over 35 is subject for review by the specific region. i am #2587, so i am still waiting of course. you might want to send an email. please do!!

"The average age of a participant is 21-35, as long as they meet the profile listed above and submit the documentation listed in the “Requirements” section below; candidates older than 35 are subject to regional evaluation depending on the region’s needs at that time."

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

It is my understanding that for whatever reason, the 'older applicants' are having to wait a bit.  I encourage anyone and everyone who has not yet been placed to contact their education person and cc: Pedro Rey in DC.
 
For what it's worth, my husband and I are 49 and 54 respectively and are coming over to Extremadura with our two daughters, ages 15 and 9 -- so we came in to this with a pretty unique circumstance.

• Tweet

[ajnabiyya]

Congratulations, Farmgirl! I know that the application process has been a giant headache for you, and I'm very happy to hear that you and your husband finally got placed. I hope your language assistant experience will be a good one from here on out.

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

Congratulations, Farmgirl! I know that the application process has been a giant headache for you, and I'm very happy to hear that you and your husband finally got placed. I hope your language assistant experience will be a good one from here on out.

Thank you so much.  We are so overjoyed about the possibilities.  The process has been a lesson in patience for me...which I am not very good at...and I think I will be getting a lot more practice with the rest of the process!

• Tweet

[Reportinglove]

Thank you so much.  We are so overjoyed about the possibilities.  The process has been a lesson in patience for me...which I am not very good at...and I think I will be getting a lot more practice with the rest of the process!

I'm so excited for you!!! I know how badly you wanted this

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

I'm so excited for you!!! I know how badly you wanted this

thank you...

• Tweet

[rosnjust]

Thank you so much.  We are so overjoyed about the possibilities.  The process has been a lesson in patience for me...which I am not very good at...and I think I will be getting a lot more practice with the rest of the process!

congrats!!! you really deserve it because you pushed so hard for this...i thought i had to do a big move but you all are doing an adventure. i can't wait to hear about your settlement!

• Tweet

[hellokitty]

It is my understanding that for whatever reason, the 'older applicants' are having to wait a bit.  I encourage anyone and everyone who has not yet been placed to contact their education person and cc: Pedro Rey in DC.
 
For what it's worth, my husband and I are 49 and 54 respectively and are coming over to Extremadura with our two daughters, ages 15 and 9 -- so we came in to this with a pretty unique circumstance.

Congratulations!!!  I'll be in Extremadura too.  I can't wait to see where we will be placed!

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

congrats!!! you really deserve it because you pushed so hard for this...i thought i had to do a big move but you all are doing an adventure. i can't wait to hear about your settlement!

Yes -- we have a huge move....last year we left the country for 4-months, so we have a sense of what we need to do, but this will involve a lot more logistics.  Last night my husband and I talked about just getting a sheet of paper and putting down whatever comes to mind about what we have to do....then trying to structure it all...other wise one can go c-r-a-z-y very quickly!

We'll be happy anywhere we are placed, but would prefer the northern area (Caceres, Placencia).

• Tweet

[rosnjust]

Yes -- we have a huge move....last year we left the country for 4-months, so we have a sense of what we need to do, but this will involve a lot more logistics.  Last night my husband and I talked about just getting a sheet of paper and putting down whatever comes to mind about what we have to do....then trying to structure it all...other wise one can go c-r-a-z-y very quickly!

We'll be happy anywhere we are placed, but would prefer the northern area (Caceres, Placencia).

you are able to pick where you want to live right? i know for regions that have several cities are picking. i was placed in castilla y leon. i got my email on friday asking for my preference city.

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

you are able to pick where you want to live right? i know for regions that have several cities are picking. i was placed in castilla y leon. i got my email on friday asking for my preference city.

I don't think so...but I've read some posts about folks who made requests and got them.  So, I wrote a letter (en Espanol) and sent it to the contact for the region....but -- again, we'll be thrilled where ever we end up!

• Tweet

[Christine]

I was so happy when I came across this forum being that I'm 41. I am currently in the waiting to apply for the Visa stage and can't believe I am about to embark on this wonderful new experience.

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

I was so happy when I came across this forum being that I'm 41. I am currently in the waiting to apply for the Visa stage and can't believe I am about to embark on this wonderful new experience.

Hi Christine -- it's nice to see that there are "older folks" (although I don't think of myself as an "older folk") doing this program.  Do you know where you're going? 

• Tweet

[mjo]

Hi Christine -- it's nice to see that there are "older folks" (although I don't think of myself as an "older folk") doing this program.  Do you know where you're going?

Hi guys. I'm glad we fourty and fifty-something got placed too.  I'm a 41-year old from Chicago area going to Castilla y Leon.

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

Hi guys. I'm glad we fourty and fifty-something got placed too.  I'm a 41-year old from Chicago area going to Castilla y Leon.

I think we need to start another topic thread... 'the 40 somethings and older!'

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

Wait...I want to start another thread....The 'anyone going with kids' thread.

• Tweet

[kellidoscope]

Wait...I want to start another thread....The 'anyone going with kids' thread.

Yeah, I prefer that thread, I don´t fit into the over 40 one. I am here with my soon to be 6-year old daughter, I know I have already gotten messages from a few of you already but if there are anymore questions, been there done that

• Tweet

[kyky22]

I'll be 31 in June and will be going with my two school aged children.  I'm really excited about this opportunity but I'm a little nervous too. It's good to know that there are other over 30's and parents going too.


Kellidoscope, you've been a great source of info so far, I'm sure I'll have more questions for you soon!

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

I'll be 31 in June and will be going with my two school aged children.  I'm really excited about this opportunity but I'm a little nervous too. It's good to know that there are other over 30's and parents going too.


Kellidoscope, you've been a great source of info so far, I'm sure I'll have more questions for you soon!

How old are your children?  Are they going to attend local schools where you live?

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

for any of you with family -- what are you planning to do about health insurance.  I'll start another topic thread on health insurance...just curious.

• Tweet

[morado]

Hola a todos! I will be an auxiliar in Madrid this fall and am new to the forum. I am moving with my husband (we are both in our late 20's). He will be working towards his MBA in Madrid. For those of you who are older or who have children: have any of you been pregnant/given birth in Spain? While we do not have children yet, we hope to soon in Spain (and to stay in Spain as long as possible). If you have and wouldn't mind sharing your experience, please PM me. I'm looking forward to meeting other madrileños (young and old) this fall!

• Tweet

[LisaLoo]

Hi all,

I'll be 26 when the program starts this fall. I've been placed in Andalucia! Still waiting on the letter...

• Tweet

[kyky22]

How old are your children?  Are they going to attend local schools where you live?

They are 10 and 8 and yes I plan for them to attend local schools. They are really excited about this whole experience. They know minimal spanish so we are working on them learning as much as they can now. We've been to spain on vacation before but I'm trying to prepare them for reality of being away for an extended amount of time.

Are your kids going to go to local schools?

• Tweet

[ajnabiyya]

Figured I'd join in on the "going with kids" discussion... I'm starting the auxiliares program this fall and I have a two year old. I'm planning on starting him in the public school system the following year, since I hear that they are eligible for preescolar by the fall of the year they turn three. The transition should be relatively easy for him since he doesn't have to switch school systems, but I'm hoping to get him into one of the public bilingual elementary schools. (It wouldn't matter much if we were only there for a year, but since we're planning to make Madrid our permanent home, I'd like him to be getting instruction in both of his languages.) I'm hoping that won't be too hard since apparently one in three of the elementary schools in Madrid is bilingual now. If anyone knows anything about the process of getting their kid into a bilingual public school in Spain, I'd love to hear about it - haven't researched that detail yet!

• Tweet

[libellule333]

Hi everyone,

I've just found out that I've been admitted into the Auxiliares program and have been placed in Aragon. Has anyone else been placed in Aragon? If you know anything about the region, I would love to hear what you think about it. Thanks!

• Tweet

[holdynb]

The same thoughts went through my head to be honest. I'm 25 and I do feel a bit "older" than the average applicant but I don't think it's a huge deal.

What concerns me more is that I'm leaving my life behind (stable job etc.) to do embark on a crazy Spanish adventure. My friends think I'm nuts!

I feel like you just described me!! No one really understands why I am choosing to leave my job at a major investment firm in nyc, my apartment (if you live in nyc you know a good apartment is something you never let go of, lol) and everything else. I think about it this way...we can always go back to that stable life but we cannot always do what we are doing now which is take off and go to Spain.

Basically, I want to look back and have stories to tell rather than dreams unfulfilled.

• Tweet

[Farmgirl]

They are 10 and 8 and yes I plan for them to attend local schools. They are really excited about this whole experience. They know minimal spanish so we are working on them learning as much as they can now. We've been to spain on vacation before but I'm trying to prepare them for reality of being away for an extended amount of time.

Are your kids going to go to local schools?

Yes - We'll be in the town of Plasencia and are now looking at the local IESs and CEIPs.  Our oldest daughter is 15 and our youngest is 10.  Both are pretty excited about the adventure...which really excites us!

• Tweet

[LisaLoo]

Basically, I want to look back and have stories to tell rather than dreams unfulfilled.

Seems like a great reason to me!

• Tweet

[SRedw]

WOW! I am happy to see this thread take off. I will be 40 in July and I just got my school placement in Madrid, THROUGH ANOTHER LANGUAGE ASSISTANT PROGRAM, and this will be my 5th year as an English Language Assistant. Age is relative and it depends on what you want to do in life.

Cheers,

Shawn

• Tweet