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Living alone was never an option for me. I just don't think I could afford it!! haha, but I see some advantages and disadvantages to living with Spaniards vs. other assistants (Americans). I remember when I studied abroad, everyone encouraged me to live with a host family instead of a resedencia. They said that I would have more opportunities to speak Spanish. Well, I rarely talked to the woman. She was nice and did all of the things she was suppose to do. But if we weren't eating...we were not talking!! If living with Spanish people is an option for speaking Spanish - it is not gaurenteed that you will find someone who is just as curious about you....as you are about them
I haven't been placed yet... but I'm hoping to find a 'local' around my age - either a girl, a guy, a bunch of roommates. Last year I rented a 4 bedroom with 3 other people, but right now I'm living alone in a studio, so I've pretty much tried every housing arrangement under the sun. HOWEVER, if the choice was between a language assistant and an older lady that I'd probably not have much in common with, I'd totally go with the language assistant.
That's definitely true...especially if you are in a big city where they people are already used to seeing Americans on a regular basis...Where were you? I studied in Barcelona, and the people there definitely had their fair share of encounters with Americans.
I am thinking I would like to live alone, but things are still very up in the air right now. HOWEVER, I was thinking it'd be nice for us to have regional meet-ups here in the U.S. since a lot of us are probably coming from the same city-ish areas...SO...Chicago/Chicago suburb people....anyone interested in getting together for a coffee or something before we leave?
I am sure you'll be placed soon!! The numbers are getting higher and higher!!I studied abroad in 2009 and I had an American roommate. We got along just fine, but in the beginning I did feel a bit lonely. Which I guess, would be common when you don't know anyone. I really think we'll be fine...no matter how it works out. It's going to be an amazing experience. I really believe that...and we all want to learn Spanish. Maybe we'll take some dance classes, hang out with co-workers, and date a few Spanish guys...It's all hypothetical, you know? How are you going to get the best experience possible??? You'll never know until you just go with your gut and try it. And my gut is telling me to try to live with these ladies. ?
It's good to know people....even Americans! haha, I think people get cuaght up in "Spanish only"..we forget to realize, we're not so bad!! haha. Definitely get out there and meet people, travel, speak Spanish, etc. But I don't think it would kill anyone to associate with Americans on a regular basis...as long as you also meet Spanish people!! It would suck to feel alone, just because you wanted to be away from Americans - because sometimes abroad, that's who you can depend on. Trust me from experience. I LOVE Spain, that's why I am going back - but I have to admite. Everyone was not as curious about me as I was about them...
I'm feeling a lot better about living with my friends now. We will definitely make it a point to meet Spaniards, speak Spanish, etc. We also look forward to helping each other out when we need to go to get our visa or with lesson plans! Please, if you plan on living with Spaniards...don't let me discourage you!! Do exactly what your gut tells you. Different strokes for different strokes! Go with what ever makes you happy and makes you feel comfortable. I mean guys, we're going to SPAIN!! Enjoy yourselves... =D
Then go for it! I might end up living with language assistants too, if there are any in the area I get placed in. Or maybe I'll find a roommate who looks like Cristiano Ronaldo. Haha. Riiiight.
LOL @ Cristinano Ronaldo. Maybe if I get placed in Barcelona, I can live at Camp Nou with the other Barca players.
I'm in Chicago. Let me know.
Did I really say "different strokes for different strokes" Wooow... I really need to read over these things before I poste them, eh?? We all know the saying!! DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS...I also think that it is important to keep an open mind and be very flexible. If there's one thing that I've learned from traveling abroad is you need a LOT OF IT! You have to have a sense of humor, be able to laugh at yourself. You have to know ahead of time - there will be times of lonliness, frustration, even times when you feel like you couldn't stand to hear another word of Spanish!! It's natural...it happens. But if you know this ahead of time, you can probably better deal with it! There are good times and bad times.I recommend this book! It was a required reading in one of my anthropology classes! It is a guide for living/working overseas. I think it is a great read...and very fun: http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Kit-Overseas-Living-Fourth/dp/185788292X
I'll definitely check that book out! I just bought this one:http://www.amazon.com/Living-Abroad-Spain-Candy-LaBalle/dp/1598800906
Sweet. I'll wait a bit and see if anyone else in teh Chicagoland area wants to meet up...then I'll PM everyone (or just you haha)
I would say be flexible. Don't be totally set on living with (maybe moreso NOT living with) one group of people. I live with one Spanish girl, and she's barely ever home. Keep in mind a lot of young Spanish people live at home longer than we do in the States, so a lot of people looking for roommates are older or from other countries (South America, other places in Europe). My other roommate is British, and I've learned a TON about another culture in that way too. Don't rule out English speakers just for the fact that they speak English. If you really want to practice Spanish, you'll be able to even if you don't have a Spanish roommate. I know friends with Spanish roommates that never speak Spanish with them. No matter what you do, it's going to be a different cultural experience!
I'm in Chicago too!
Yay!! That makes 3 of us so far! I know tapasntrouble is desperately wishing for Anadalucia, what are your choices?My first was Anadalucia, then Castilla La Mancha (I think?) and then Extremadura (I htink)...and my profex # is 491.
I was placed yesterday, I'm #182. My first choice was Andalucia, and I got it! So excited!
Hopefully the three of us will end up in Andalucia!
I just got adjudicada now and got Andalucia too! Hopefully tapasntrouble gets it too!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! And thanks for the positive thoughts. How cool would it be if all 3 Chicagoans end up in Andalucia?
My biggest tip is live with someone you're comfortable with. Nationality doesn't matter as long as your living space is comfortable. You might find a great Spanish Roommate, you might find one that doesn't care about Americans. You can also find an American (or any nationality) that's a jerk and could care less about you, even if you are both auxiliares.Make sure that your friends are truly people you can live with. It's one thing being a best friend, but often times people will live together and realize their funny goofy best friend is not the cleanest, nicest smelling, or considerate. Trust me, I've worked in various university residence halls and housing organizations for the past 6 years.Do whatever it is you're comfortable with. Don't commit to living with your friends just yet, and play things by ear and comfort. The last thing you want is a cacaty living situation -and- a broken friendship. Either way, suerte next year, and now all you have to do is hope you get placed near each other.
Thanks so much!! This is alllll really helpful. Of course, I am open to being flexible!! =DMy friends and I have lived together while we were in college and hopefully with our RA experience we can learn how to eliminate certain problems before the arise, but now all we can do is HOPE to be close!!
Send an email out to your region. I know they say you shouldn't, but reading last year's thread, people DID do it and it was taken into consideration. [/quote']Thanks, my friends and I have sent out emails to the la junta de andalucía. We are hoping to be placed in the same area. Thanks again!!
Send an email out to your region. I know they say you shouldn't, but reading last year's thread, people DID do it and it was taken into consideration.
If you do go ahead an e-mail them, however, I'd suggest you have a legitimate reason thought up. Of course, your living arrangement is legitimate because it is for the sake of your finances, etc. etc. They probably won't take a request into account if it's "I would like to live in (BLANK) City because it has a great nightlife!"
besides segundamano and the two mentioned above, can anyone recommend sites for finding pisos or roommates? I'm doing this with my husband and we'd like to do a share (so we can save as much money as possible for travel!) but it seems most of the posts for shares say solo chicas. or are for just one person.
easypiso.com, fotocasa.es, loquo.com are some good ones to start. Also, if you get an email address from your school or someone contacts you before you go, ask them. They may know someone who knows someone with a piso. Walk around the neighborhood you want to live in and call the numbers on the for rent signs. Ask other auxiliars in your area. It's a lot of calling, dead ends, and sometimes really crappy pisos, but I don't know anyone who has NEVER found something. Don't commit to anything before you see it in person, which seems like a duh, but when you're getting closer, it can be unsettling to move somewhere without any prospects. And jules, I live with my bf, the ad we answered was chicas only but since we were a couple, the girl who posted the ad didn't seem to mind. It never hurts to ask!
My friends brother has been living in Europe for a while now. He said that ppl dont like to rent to foreigners so it would make your life easier to live with a Spaniard. I personally would like to live with a local and maybe another student/teacher. I'm a little sketched out thought because he said its common for locals to steal thier roomates stuff....Anyone get placed in ANDALUSIA???
Also, are leases month to month? Year-long? Six month? I'm starting the research now (thanks to all who posted the .es piso sites!) but any thoughts are appreciated.
I had a piso in Granada when I studied abroad last year, and the lease was month-to-month, which was really great. Not a lot of paperwork, either...I think I signed only 2 forms! The process is really relaxed. Then again, I had a really great landlady, who also came once a week and cleaned for us I was a little spoiled, I have to say!
About 4 months, rent was around 200 euro a month if I remember correctly. It was seriously such a cute little place in a great neighborhood-4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, AND we had a deck (!). So yea, we were def. lucky.
Hola a todos!! I have recently been placed in Andalucía along with 3 other friends. We are hoping to be placed in the same city/town so that we may share living exspenses. I understand that there are advantages/disadvantages to living with Americans vs. Spaniards.
Hola I was assigned to the Badajoz area (VALVERDE DE LEGANÉS and ALMENDRAL). I am looking for a room-mate (or multiple roomies). I haven't decided if I want to commute from Badajoz to these two small pueblo-like towns. If there is anyone else that has been placed in this area, let me know, maybe we can chat about being roomies. One problem about commuting from Badajoz is the bus schedule.. Anyways, reply back if you are interested
For those who are looking to move to Madrid, you can find studios for 500€ a month. You have to hit the pavement. I am living in a studio that's 509€ a month in the center of Madrid, in Quevedo, and I love my hood. Lots of great shops, bars and places to chill.Shawn
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Topic: 2011-2012 North American Language & Culture Assistant :: Room mates (Read 5943 times)
