On January 2nd, 2025, I stepped into the New Year, starting my new position with Meddeas. Everything was new – my school, my town, my friends and my daily routine of teaching English in Spain. I spent the first few weeks understanding how the programme operated, what was expected of me in the classroom and at school, and how to plan activities that suited the students’ levels. Outside of school, I was learning the basics of living in a new place: finding my way around Manresa, getting used to the local transport and settling into a routine in a new country. It was a steady, structured start to the year, focused on building a foundation for my role and for life in Spain that I could call home.
Settling into Life in Manresa, Barcelona
As the weeks went on, settling into life in Manresa became more manageable. I got used to the rhythm of the school day, the students’ personalities, and the teaching style expected of me. Outside of work, I learned where my favourite coffee shops were, the best place to do my grocery shop and where to sit outside for some tapas and some drinks. Manresa wasn’t a large city, which made it easier to navigate and feel comfortable. I also, very quickly, started meeting other Language Assistants and people from the area, which helped a lot to have other people in the same situation as me. Having a group of friends to explore the town with, sharing teaching tips (which always come in handy) or to simply grab a coffee made the transition smoother. Little by little, I began to understand how things worked both in the classroom and in the community, turning those early adjustments into a normal, steady routine.
My Experience Teaching English with Meddeas
As the months progressed, I found myself becoming not only more confident in the classroom but also more aware of how much I was growing as a teacher. Meddeas gave me a clear structure to follow, but it also gave me the freedom to bring my own personality into each lesson. I experimented with games, group activities, oral tasks and seasonal projects, all of which helped me better understand what worked for each age group. Some days were challenging – managing energy levels, keeping students engaged or navigating cultural differences – but those moments helped me learn the most. Little victories, like seeing a shy student raise their hand or hearing them use new vocabulary naturally, reminded me why I had chosen this experience in the first place.
Growing Comfortable in Catalonia
By Spring, Spain genuinely felt like home. I knew the teachers in my school really well, I understood the school’s rhythm, and I felt more and more connected to the students that I saw every day. Weekends became opportunities to explore other towns in Catalonia, try new foods and immerse myself in Spanish culture in a way that can’t be done on a short holiday. I learned enough Catalan to handle daily life with confidence – even if it was with a bit of an accent – and local customs began to feel natural. The sense of independence that came with navigating life abroad was empowering, and I realised how much this year was changing me, both personally and professionally.
A Month Back Home in Ireland
When the school ended for the summer, I spent a month back home in Ireland, and it was a well-needed pause after months of adapting and growing. Returning to the comfort of home – family dinners, long walks in familiar places and catching up with friends that I hadn’t seen in months – felt grounding in a way that I didn’t realise I needed. It gave me the space to reflect on how much had changed since January. I noticed that my confidence had grown, not only in teaching but in my everyday life. Challenges that felt intimidating before now felt so much more manageable, and I could see how living abroad had pushed me to become much more patient and independent.
Being home also brought a sense of clarity. I found myself talking about Spain constantly – about the students who made me laugh, the colleagues who supported me and the small routines in Manresa had suddenly become part of my life. It made me realise a bit more how much the experience meant to me. Even though I enjoyed being back in Ireland, I felt a pull toward returning to Spain to continue the journey that I had started with Meddeas. There was still so much that I wanted to learn, so many new places to explore, and so many connections to be made. That month at home became a reset button, giving me the energy and perspective I needed to return to Spain – so …. I booked my flights back!!
Beginning my Second Year with Meddeas
Returning to Spain after the summer felt completely different from when I first arrived in January. This time, I arrived with a sense of familiarity rather than uncertainty, and that alone changed everything. Not only was I beginning my second year with Meddeas, but I was also starting this chapter in a new city – Madrid. I had lived in Madrid previously, for my Erasmus year, but moving back to a new neighbourhood, a new flat and with a new schedule in place – it seemed like I was moving to Madrid for the first time, with just a little knowledge of the surroundings. Moving from the smaller, quieter atmosphere of Manresa to the busy capital felt like a big shift, but one that I was ready for. I knew how the programme worked, what a typical school day looked like and how to adapt when things didn’t go exactly as planned (which happens a lot more than you prepare for). This year felt like a continuation but also a fresh beginning – a chance to build on the foundation that I had spent months creating, now in a place full of new energy and possibilities. I carried with me the confidence that only comes from lived experience; successfully navigating a new culture, forming meaningful relationships and gaining the trust of the students that I will work so hard to support. As I settled into Madrid and prepared for the year ahead, I felt grounded in a way I hadn’t before, ready to embrace the challenges, responsibilities and opportunities of this new city and new chapter.
Finding my Place in the Capital
Moving to Madrid was a shift in every sense – pace, culture, size and opportunity. After the smaller, close-knit atmosphere of Manresa, the capital felt bold and energetic but surprisingly welcoming. I quickly discovered new neighbourhoods, favourite cafes and weekend spots that made the city feel less overwhelming and more like a place I could belong. At school, I found myself adapting once again to new students, new colleagues and a new teaching environment, but this time with the tools and confidence built over the past year. Within a few weeks, I felt settled, as if Madrid had been where I learned everything in the first place. The city’s energy pushed me to say yes to more – more exploring, more learning and more experiences – and I could feel myself growing into this new version of my life abroad.
Preparing to Head Home for Christmas
As December approached, the excitement of heading home for Christmas started to build. There was something special about wrapping up the year in Madrid while also knowing I would soon be surrounded by my family, old friends and Irish winter traditions (yes, developing new traditions is amazing, but there is nothing like being at home for Christmas). The lead-up to going home is a mix of enjoying watching the kids at school learn their new Christmas show routine, feeling the festive atmosphere in the city and reflecting on how far I have come since early 2025. Madrid’s Christmas lights, markets and celebrations make the season feel so magical, and I found myself appreciating the contrast between my life here and life at home.
Madrid really does have so much to offer at this time of the year; there is always something to do and see that is new, and plans are never-ending, really proving that it is the city that never sleeps.
Looking Ahead to 2026
I can’t help but look ahead to the rest of 2026 with a mix of excitement, gratitude and curiosity about what is next. This past year has been one of the most transformative periods of my life – one that reshaped my understanding of independence and what it means to really build a life away from home. When I think back to the person who nervously started this journey at the start of 2025, I can see just how much growth has happened, not only in the classroom but in everyday life; navigating new cities, forming new friendships and creating routines that made Spain feel like home. I feel so much more open to bring in the new year, without any nerves about not knowing what 2026 will bring. Whether it brings new challenges, new students, new travels or even unexpected changes, I feel able to manage them with a calmer, more grounded perspective.
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that embracing the unknown can lead to some of the most meaningful experiences. And with that in mind, I am stepping into 2026 hopeful, motivated and ready to continue shaping this chapter of my life – wherever it leads!
Author: Ellen F.