Hola! I’m Ashlee, an American from the suburbs of Chicago who made an unexpected home in the vibrant city of Barcelona. As a mother to one, the spouse of a Spanish-Catalan citizen, and working as an immigration consultant, I have seen it all with a unique lens during my years living in Barcelona. Check out my story below to read about what brought me to Barcelona and Barcelona Mom Life.
My Journey to Barcelona
I first came to Barcelona as a student in my college’s study abroad program and, as typically happens, I met my now-husband. After a 6-month program in Spain, I returned to the US to complete my final year in school without any guidance or guarantees if Spain would be a reality.
Cultural Wake-Up Call
After completing college, I was able to returned to Spain to teach English with the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP), ushered by my desire to be in the same country as my boyfriend.
Despite having already spent 6 months in Spain as a student and keeping in touch during my final year of college with my boyfriend and his family, actually moving to Spain and making my life here was very different than just being a temporary student.
I already knew Spanish, the city, the food, and the people and I had a basis in Catalan…but the cultural differences were starker when I wasn’t going home in a few months.
I learned a lot during that first year and continue to learn every year, but a permanent move is not for the faint of heart. I continue to see many expats make this same mistake: they love vacationing here, but it is not all sangria and siestas once you move here.
Professional Calling
By the time I reached the 1-year mark of my permanent move to Spain, I had already processed two student visas (once for a 6-month visa; a second for a long-stay visa for the NALCAP) and processed my temporary residence permit. If you have gone through any single one of these immigration procedures by yourself, you know that, unless you have someone walking you through the steps, you will face every roadblock that can exist and learn a lot along the way! Having a Spanish partner, family, or friend only helps to a point! My husband was trying to wade through the same situation as it was new to him, too; the only benefit? His Spanish was unquestionably better than mine, of course, and typically the civil servants took pity on us on more than one occasion.
From this experience and having my residence permit in hand, I started job searching in Spain. I was lucky enough to start an entry-level position in an immigration firm. Trudging through the complex Spanish bureaucratic landscape became my professional expertise, leading me to specialize as an Immigration Consultant, handling all aspects of Spanish immigration to Spain, as well as outbound immigration and tax, labor, and social security complexities.
The Family Dimension: Raising Children in Spain
The birth of my daughter marked another significant chapter with—a trilingual child embodying the multicultural essence of our Barcelona life. Through her, I’ve gained profound insights into Catalan traditions, educational dynamics, social policies for families, and the intricate art of raising a multicultural family.
At the time she was born, I had been living in Barcelona for just over 10 years, but I had never had to worry about schools, Catalan children’s books and songs, and family activities. I have loved learning these new aspects of local life, but it also made me even more nostalgic for home and ensuring that she knows her American roots.
Is this blog for you?
This blog is specifically designed for families with children who are planning to move to Spain. If you’re navigating the complexities of:
- Relocating with young ones in tow
- Understanding the Spanish education system
- Finding family-friendly neighborhoods
- Maintaining your home culture while embracing Spanish traditions
- Managing the unique immigration challenges that families face
- Being involved in your child’s educational experience
…then you’ve found your resource. I’ve walked this path and understand the specific concerns, questions, and joys that come with raising children in a new country.
Blog Mission
This platform is more than a personal narrative. It is a comprehensive resource designed to:
- Demystify Spanish immigration processes for international families
- Provide deep insights into Catalan cultural nuances that affect children and parents
- Explore family life in Barcelona, from healthcare to education to weekend activities
- Offer context for language, holidays, and local traditions that will become part of your children’s upbringing
My ultimate goal is to bridge cultures, share experiences, and provide practical, heartfelt guidance for families considering or navigating life in Spain, just as I felt was lacking for my personal journey. An international move with children is never easy…there is always something new around every corner at all stages of being an expat family in Spain.
I want to go beyond going over immigration procedures; I have loved helping those interested in coming to Spain…but, since being a mother, tying both sides together has become my passion! I want you to know what family life on the ground is like here, with the occasional bureaucratic clarification 😉
I invite you to join this journey of cultural exploration. Reach out with your family’s specific questions or concerns, and let’s start a conversation that might just transform your perspective—just as Barcelona transformed mine.
I invite you to join this journey of cultural exploration. Reach out, and let’s start a conversation that might just transform your perspective—just as Barcelona transformed mine.
Fins aviat! (See you soon!)
Ashlee
