Curious what it could be prefer to work or examine overseas? My Life Overseas is a column by Her World that provides a glimpse into the lives of girls from Singapore who’ve pursued their goals and ambitions abroad. Listed below are their tales.
In at this time’s column, we converse with 34-year-old senior development and buyer relationship administration supervisor Chris on how she made her teenage dream of residing in Europe a actuality, and the way Barcelona is now a spot she and her husband name house.
I first visited Barcelona again in 2013 with a pal and actually loved my time right here! I believed it was a stunning metropolis with stunning structure, a extremely wealthy meals tradition, and a ridiculous meal time of 10pm. I by no means anticipated myself to reside right here sometime although.
Then in March 2019, my husband was provided a job alternative from his earlier supervisor, and we jumped on the probability to maneuver overseas.
I’ve wished to maneuver overseas to Europe since my teenage years — fairly open when it comes to which metropolis to reside in. There was one other alternative along with his then-company to maneuver to Glasgow however Barcelona felt like a more sensible choice each profession and lifestyle-wise.
At that time, my precedence was experiencing a distinct life. I used to be completely happy to glide and fortunate sufficient to be working in tech, in order that offered me with a little bit extra reassurance I’d discover extra profession alternatives overseas as in comparison with extra company industries.
The primary two weeks of transferring right here have been robust.
We have been residing in a brief flat with hardly any pure gentle and I used to be working from house a lot of the day – nonetheless employed by the identical firm because the one I labored for again in Singapore. Looking for a flat was additional tough as a result of we didn’t know any Spanish. From talking on the cellphone and signing up for a cellular plan to coping with rental and utility contracts, language is so prevalent in the whole lot that we do.
We have been fortunate sufficient to have discovered a flat we cherished very a lot inside one month, the place we lived for about two years earlier than transferring to an even bigger flat with a terrace. Now, we reside in a three-bedroom rental flat on the left-side of town, which continues to be pretty near the centre.
Barcelona may be very walkable as a metropolis and well-connected, so it doesn’t take a lot time to get wherever.
Most of my single mates are renting a room in a flat shared with different flatmates whereas these hooked up are sharing rental flats with their companions. The price of lease is taken into account excessive right here as there are numerous expats who select to reside in Barcelona in comparison with different cities in Spain because of its shut proximity to the coast. An honest two-bedroom flat in a central location will value you no less than €1,000 monthly. Some corporations cowl relocation prices and the price of lease for foreigners the primary couple of months earlier than you might be by yourself.
I didn’t know anybody right here after I first moved, and it was lonely since I used to be working remotely and didn’t have a lot alternative to socialize. Giving the Bumble BFF app a strive, I met a few good ladies on it – one among whom I nonetheless discuss to frequently as of late. My friendship circle actually shaped when I discovered a job right here, as I obtained to know my colleagues and so they launched me to their mates. I used to be fortunate sufficient to satisfy nice folks at work and so they changed into my mates. The time period “afterwork” is usually used, which refers to grabbing a drink along with your colleagues after work or staying within the workplace to socialize.
I believe many individuals are inclined to lump all of Europe as one entity, so in considering that Europe is dear, they suppose Barcelona is just too. However from a Singaporean’s perspective, Barcelona may be very reasonably priced for its vibrant night time scene, consuming out, grocery purchasing, and public transport. There are cultural displays like reside music, neighbourhood events and flea markets happening each week. There’s one thing for everybody – the seaside for anybody who likes to sea, mountains close by for hikers, many parks within the metropolis centre simply to take pleasure in picnics underneath the solar, and all all these don’t value a lot in any respect. The language barrier is much less daunting as of late too, understanding that individuals are very keen that can assist you alongside. You possibly can nonetheless get by with out being fluent within the language — I’m nonetheless studying!
Supply: Her World