Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a 30yrs old male. I live in Kansas City. I graduated in '01 with a BS in IT. I am currently working on my Masters in Information Systems Management. I will be unemployed in about a month. The company that I work for has been bought out by CitiGroup. And, on August 29 they will be shutting down our office.

Now is my chance to move to Spain, something I've dreamed of doing for some time. I am currently working on trying to get them to relocate me to Spain (CitiBank, a division, has a location in Spain as well), however, the recruiters here in the States are not familiar with whom to talk to that does the international recruiting. I will have quite a bit of money from severence and a bonus they will be paying early and I am counting on this money to get me to Spain, looking for places to live, etc.

My biggest concern is that if I can only work in Spain with a Visa that is provided by a hiring company in Spain then, there is no telling when I might be able to move there. Already having a job in the new city would be the "ideal" situation. We don't all have that luxury. I am willing to work as a waiter (or anything really) when I get to Spain just to provide myself with an income so as not to spend my savings all at once. Honestly, waiting tables or being a bartender I would think would be a perfect way to network and get to know the city. Not to mention polish my Spanish.

Are there alternatives to waiting months to get a Visa? Can anyone give me some suggestions?

Thanks,


Tony

aahh..an age old problem. No Spanish wife/husband or relatives, no company to sponsor you?! The only thing you can do is start your own company and be self employed. I have read the immigration requirements and this seems to be one of the ways to get a visa but I know nothing about how this process differs from anothers. I don't know if they check up on you to see if you have a "real" company or what.

I would be curious to know if any mm'ers out there have more info. on the particulars of getting a visa if you start your own company.

Hi Tony... Well, from one Tony from Kansas City currently living (or in your case...'wanting to live') in Spain with an IT background who worked for a multinational financial giant in KC (General Electric) to another.... (Wow, that's kinda scary! Now, you're going to tell me you're from the Shawnee Mission region of Johnson County like me too! ) .... there's no easy solution to your situation.

A quick fix to get your visa in Spain is not at all easy, especially with the boom of immigrants already coming here. What is easy though is to come here, have a great time and decide what you want to do... That's not meant to discourage you, but if you really want to come to Spain, you should probably just do it on a contingent basis and stay if you feel comfortable here. It may be a wonderful opportunity to do some soul searching. Besides, securing gainful employment offering you a visa will be loads easier if you are physically here than if you're not.

Spain is really an exceptionally 'tangible' country in that employers really do like to see the person they're going to hire. They want to know that they're going to get a foreigner who will be capable of integrating in this culture. It doesn't make sense for them to hire someone who will change their mind after a few weeks and return home after they've already made an investment in them.

So, in summary, I'd say your two options are to either come here and try your luck and/or hook up with a beautiful Spanish gal like I did. I recommend both courses of action wholeheartedly.

Best of luck,
:cheers:

Tony,

Great to hear from you!! I knew my doppleganger was out there somewhere!!

I did grow up in Johnson County, but have since moved downtown (what can I say, bars, clubs, fine dinning!). The company that I work for is called Principal Residential Mortgage which used to be a part of the Principal Financial Group (which is in fact multinational)!! Frightening!!

You mention comming to Spain on a contigent to see if I like it. I don't have a problem with that but I was under the impression that I would need a visa just to look for work? Which is kind of a catch 22.

Oh, and I would definetly like to find myself a pretty Spanish lady!

If for whatever reason I cannot get a job with a company that would set me up with a visa, then I will definitely be traveling there just the same. I expect it would be easier to get a job if I'm "onsite" so to speak. But, I've been getting conflicting stories on how to go about finding a job in Spain as a foreigner.

Some say Work Visa, which I don't know what the difference is between that and just a Visa. Others say you can apply for residency. Currently I am searching options that may help me get there because of my student status. Some friends from other countries have mentioned contacting STA (Student Travel Association) and BUNAC. But they don't offer programs for Spain. They do however, offer them for the U.K. which I would consider (I would be much closer to my destination), but I take online graduate classes and they will only offer the program if you are student actually attending the onsite classroom. In any event, if I went that route I wouldn't be able to hit Europe until the first of the year. And then we would be talking trips to Spain to hunt for a job.

Whew!! Now I'm done typing...

Hello all,

I thought I would update you on my progress! So far I've been provided with a wealth of information from this site (jer, Redwood and TonyT have been great)! All of the post/topics that have been floating around, about...well everything have been great.

I have decided on two things:

1. I'm just going to go...things will be much easier once I arrive

2. From the many posts I have read I have determined teaching English seems to provide the most direct route to: Employment and ultimately a work Visa

As I have mentioned earlier, my company was bought out. Part of what is available to "displaced" employees is a program called WIA (Workforce Investment Act). This program provides money for the displaced employee to retrain in the event of a layoff. It's completely paid for by the government.

Originally, I was planning on using it solely for aquiring some IT certifiactions before I left for Spain. Now I believe I will work on getting an IT cert (1 or 2 depending on cost) and also getting a TESL/TEFL/CERTA (English language teaching certificate). I have seen many posts regarding job opportunities to teach English. Most require some sort of cert or degree in English. They have often indicated that qualified applicants (non-EU citizens) may be considered for a work Visa!!

This sounds like the kind of thing that could really work out. Mind you, I understand this won't be eazy peazy...but I've heard of others traveling to lots of other countries and getting by, by teaching English. So, I'm gonna try this thing out. It may be no guarantee, but I think it will help.

Either way I have set a date of Mid-November. I have made arrangements for my personals (furniture, Xbox, etc.) to be stored...just incase. I will also be providing my parents with power of Attorney and storing my car at their place. If things don't go quite right this first time around...I will still have a car to come back to...then on to round two!

I'm absolutley thrilled!! I live in the mid-west...TonyT could probably attest to the mid-west fear of change. Many have said it won't happen, or they simply think I am crazy. I even had one woman ask me if I had family here, I said "Yes". She said, "oh you don't get along with your family?". Unbelievable, as if exploring the world without your family attached to your hip means you don't love them?? In any event my family fully backs me, they all see this as an opportunity to visit Spain (my parents have done plenty of worldly travel).

Wish me luck...I'll continue to keep you all updated.



Tony

quote:

originally posted by Modigy:
[qb]I live in the mid-west...TonyT could probably attest to the mid-west fear of change. [/qb]

Can I ever relate to what you're saying here Tony. I was working in a comfy job with General Electric when I decided to make the leap. There was more room for horizontal growth than vertical growth and I just felt like there was something more for me elsewhere.

I remember a co-worker looking at me dumbfounded when I told her of my plans to leave the mid-west. She said, "But, why would you leave when you have so much security right here?" My response, "So, I don't make it to 50 or 55 and ask myself, 'I wonder what would have happened had I gone to Spain and learned Spanish as well as another culture.'"

Still another co-worker (pushing 50 years old) commented to me one night while enjoying some fantastic KC jazz at the Phoenix, "Tony, you should just go and do it! If I were in your shoes and had age on my side, I would." I never got to thank Don for that encouragement, but I've never forgotten it. Don Coggins in Olathe, Kansas, should you ever read this post, I owe you a beer buddy! :cheers:

On the less cheery side, only one of my family members has made the trek from KC to Spain during my 6 years living here. True, I've been back 4 of 6 summers, but I sure wish I could share all of this with them.

Come hoping to discover something about yourself that you didn't know you had inside of you before you came. I realize I'm sounding a bit corny with this post, but I mean it when I say that your journey will be one more of self-discovery than distance you can add to a frequent flyer account. With that, I'll put a bit of that in my pipe and, you guessed it, I'm a gonna smoke it! :lo:

[QUOTE]

Still another co-worker (pushing 50 years old) commented to me one night while enjoying some fantastic KC jazz at the Phoenix, "Tony, you should just go and do it! If I were in your shoes and had age on my side, I would." I never got to thank Don for that encouragement, but I've never forgotten it. Don Coggins in Olathe, Kansas, should you ever read this post, I owe you a beer buddy! :cheers:

I can relate to this posting!!! It is quite sad that our age can prevent us from doing things that really have little to do with our physical ability to do something. Not that I am "pushing fifty" but the thought of picking up and moving to Spain in my late thirties seems almost irrational and irresponsible. Not that that is going to stop me but I know when I get on that plane for my flight to Madrid, there will be some part of me that asks why I think I am still 19.

I bet that guy in the bar, when he is 75 or 80, will say to himself "What the hell was I thinking? What did being almost fifty have to do with anything?" I would just hate to call myself a coward when I am 80 so I'm comin' over!!!

Age should never be a factor in what you do, though that is so much easier said than done!!! I have posted this before, but I moved here just before my 40th birthday, arrived on the island with two young children and a tent on my back. I have never, ever regretted doing that (though the children may say different!!). You just have to follow that dream......like Lena said, we are a long time dead!!!!!!!

If Espa�a needs you, she will call to your soul, and you must attend, or your soul will ache until you do.

Always do what your heart & soul is telling you.

Because.......
Coming to terms with the lessons one learns, through the choices one makes, is not easy.

You can only reasonably expect to get one shot at something really good in this life, so you've just got to go fo it when it comes along.

Go For It.

So Iberian.........what is your point in all that? Apart from go for it, which is what I said in the first place!!!!!!!!

quote:

originally posted by madsue:
[qb] So Iberian.........what is your point in all that? Apart from go for it, which is what I said in the first place!!!!!!!! [/qb]

I say go for it!

Hey Tony--

Good for you. I grew up mostly in St. Louis, so I know what you mean about the midwestern inertia.

But no matter where you are, I think there is just a certain subset of human beings who love the challenge and excitement of being in "foreign" or unfamiliar surroundings. Once you get bitten by this bug, it haunts you. And if you are in this condition and you go to Spain, then your fate is sealed. You have to get back at any cost!

We just left our happy and relatively comfortable life to come here. Rented our house out, brought our two year old and just did it. It took us two years to get our act together. A lot of work. I now realize why most people don't do this. It's not easy.

The first few months living in a different country are always a mix of euphoria, fear, uncertainty, mild headaches, and excitement. But, like almost anything that involves hard work and sacrifice, it is definitely worth it if your heart is really in it.

When I was in college, I worked a Japanese restaurant. When I was leaving to go spend a year in France, one of the sushi chefs told me that it would change my life forever. That it would make me a bigger person. He spread arms out wide when he said it. He told me to use the time to think about what kind of person I wanted to be and to recreate myself as that person.

Going to a new place, immersing yourself in its culture, and speaking a new language can help you to do that. It's probably better than any kind of therapy!

And thanks to technology (and Jer!), you now have a whole group of people who are rooting for you.

Good luck and keep us posted.

quote:

When I was in college, I worked a Japanese restaurant. When I was leaving to go spend a year in France, one of the sushi chefs told me that it would change my life forever. That it would make me a bigger person. He spread arms out wide when he said it. He told me to use the time to think about what kind of person I wanted to be and to recreate myself as that person.

It�s funny that you got that advice mariposita because I too got almost the exact same words from a friend of mine in Philadelphia. He is from Jordan and is a restaurant owner in Philly. He came to the States when he was 18 practically penniless and little experience to speak of ... He eventually found his way (through hard work, migraines and all that fun stuff, no doubt) and now at 40 yrs old has the restaurant and night club, is happily married and has two beautiful children... I digress.

He told me, "(Chica), it takes a person with a lot of resolve to move to a different country... not everyone can do it. Just think how you will be starting your life over again from zero. Don�t let that intimidate you, let it motivate you.. to recreate who you are... or to be someone different."

How right he was! Another friend who moved from Venezuela to Philadelphia had similar words of advice.

Tony, listen to those who have been there and done it, not to those who have never tried. Don�t let their fear be your fear.

I can't believe I missed this post when it first came out.

Modigy/Tony: I don't have quite as much in common with you as the other Tony from Kansas, but allow me to add my two cents worth anyway.(What I do have in common with you is that I used to work, some years ago, for Salomon Smith Barney, which was also acquired by Citigroup. But I digress...)

I left home when I was 16. Now I'm 35 and Spain is the fifth country I've lived in. Each time I moved, it was 100% my decision, I had to work things out myself, and it hasn't always been easy. I regret nothing.

Most recently, just six months ago, I left a very stable and promising career, and a job in a great company. I was doing well, making good money, doing a job I liked. But something was telling me that there was more to life than stability and money. I left it all and came to Spain two months ago.

It was the toughest decision I've ever made, and like you, many people at work asked me, why in the world are you giving all of this up?

I have no idea what I'm doing next. I've got enough saved up to support a year or so in Madrid, but not more. Right now, I'm learning Spanish, drinking lots of wine, harrassing and getting harrassed by people on this board , and really enjoying myself not doing a whole lot. Sooner or later I'm going to have to go back to the "real world" and decide whether I'm in Spain to stay, or if not, what comes next. I've got no clue. But so far, I've already learned the lesson that there is so much more to life and living than work, stability, and a good career.

I've spoken to several people who have unrealistic expectations of a life "abroad." People who are enthralled by the romance of the quality of life in places like Spain (damn it, it is good) without a clue, or without the education or experience to realistically provide for themselves. There are lots of these guys around. You do not strike me as one of them, inasmuch as you've got skills and experience, in addition to drive.

And so I ask you the question that a lot of my close friends asked me when I was agonizing over whether to quit my job and move to Spain: what do you have to lose, and what do you have to gain?

What do you have to lose? Stability and income, at least for a certain period of time. What do you have to gain? It's tough to measure, but from someone who's had similar urges as you have: a lot.

You've already decided to take the plunge, and that's great. So have I. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out- and I'll be back where I started. You do have a financial cushion to fall back on for at least some time, which is great. (That was pretty critical to me too, believe me.)

For whatever it's worth, I'm learning Spanish, meeting great people (hi madsue!) and am as clueless about the future as when I decided to come here. But I'm having the time of my life. Despite all the insecurity and uncertainty I know I have to face eventually (and I'm as neurotic as they come) I have a hard time recalling ever being this happy. And for that alone, I'm glad I took the plunge.

Good luck to you!

First of all, I feel privilaged to receive soo many words of encouragement from so many positive and inspirational people!! This post has really grown. Thank you!

TonyTorero

quote:

I realize I'm sounding a bit corny with this post,...

I have realized how often myself and others have felt "a bit corny" in these posts, when revealing their true satisfaction with the choices they have made...to explore and follow their hearts.

I have often felt as though I am of a different breed...not better or worse than others, just different. It seems to me as I read responses to this posts (and others) that I think I may have found a group of us (this different breed) in the MM board...something my dream of Spain had hoped for!

My biggest fan right now is my mother's aunt. She's in her 90s. Until a couple of years ago she was traveling every summer with other ladies of her age group all over the world. She has been on every continent in the world, including places like Egypt, Morrocco and all through Europe. She is thrilled to hear of my plans to move to Spain. She has already mentioned places in Spain that I "must" see! Her tails are certainly a reminder that we must not allow age to hold us back.

I have friends that will be sorry to see me leave. I have sometimes tried to sell them on the wonders and the enlightenment of doing something different...exploring the world. Sadly, though, I look into their eyes and I don't see the rose-red flame of adventure.

Iberian

quote:

If Espa�a needs you, she will call to your soul, and you must attend, or your soul will ache until you do.

My how true this rings. Of late, people have asked me "why Spain?". I almost feel as though I have no answer, because I feel my reasons are much more intangible, difficult to articulate. As Iberian states above, it seems to me that it is more of a calling. TonyT says something similar, he felt that there was "something more for me elsewhere."

Well, for now I will quit quoting you all. I just wanted to share my enthusiasm and appreciation to hear so many with stories of adventure of their own.

I will continue to keep you all updated on my progress. Looks like I've got a busy couple of months ahead of me!