Black in Spain: From Corporate Job in the US to Teaching and Living in Galicia
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Rebekah is a 32-year-old woman who quit her 9 to 5 in the United States in search of a more fulfilling life in Spain. In this blog post, you will learn about Rebekah's experience living in Galicia, the challenges she faced as an expat, the cost of living, the visa process, learning a new language, and her advice for other Black women looking to move to Galicia.
In the Black in Spain series, I interview Black women, from all walks of life, living all over the 17 regions of Spain. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, from the perspective of women of color. My goal is to bring together our stories and help the next generation of Black women to find their safe haven in Spain.
This week, I am very excited to share Rebekah’s story.
Name: Rebekah
Age: 32
Home town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Describe yourself in a few words
I would say determined, courageous, energetic, loyal, helpful, and dynamic.
WHAT’S YOUR BACKSTORY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WHAT MADE YOU MOVE TO SPAIN FROM AMERICA?
I ended up in Spain because, in high school and university, I got a chance to study abroad. At university, I lived in Barcelona, and back then I fell in love with the culture, the way of life, and the people. Afterward, I moved back to America to finish my degree and started working an eight-to-five corporate job, which I hated.
By chance, I learned about a new English teaching program offered by the Ministry of Spain through the company where I did my study abroad.
After applying two days before the cut-off date in 2016, a couple of months later I received an email letting me know I had been accepted! That´s how I ended up in Galicia.
I had originally planned to only stay there for two years, but I've been living in Galicia for seven already.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN GALICIA?
In the United States, I majored in International Business, but for now, I am teaching English in Galicia.
WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING IN GALICIA?
The cost of living in Galicia is relatively low even with the inflation, and everything else going on. With the stipend, I am getting, plus my private classwork, I am able to live a good life. I am really happy because back in the United States I was working two to three jobs just to like stay afloat. Here I have one job, I teach a couple of classes in the evenings and I can travel and have fun and enjoy my life.
I currently live in Vigo and I love it because it’s a medium-sized city, and it’s very affordable. I'm able to live by myself (with my cats) and I can afford to travel. With what I am paying in rent in Galicia, in places like Barcelona or Madrid I would probably only be able to afford a shared space on the outskirt.
AS AN AMERICAN, HOW WAS THE VISA PROCESS TO WORK AND STAY IN GALICIA?
Since I got a self-employed work visa a few years ago the process has changed a lot. I'm a freelancer with this visa I can work wherever and do whatever I want which is great. The new Digital Nomad Visa is also another good option for expats looking to stay in Spain.
The only downside is the fees that are associated with working as a freelancer. They are high, no matter how much you earn, you have to pay. The first year is discounted, then it goes up.
HOW DID YOU LEARN SPANISH AND GALICIAN?
Galician is most widely spoken in the little villages rather than in the bigger cities, so that´s why I don´t speak much of it.
I mostly speak Spanish. I learned it by listening to people, reading, and speaking with Spanish friends. I also took some classes here and there to help me.
My recommendation for people that really want to learn Spanish is to make Spanish friends and embrace the culture. Don't do what I did in my first month where I only made American friends and ended up speaking English all day.
Make new Spanish friends. Surround yourself with their culture and just listen. Listen, repeat. Listen to music, watch TV shows in Spanish, etc.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK WOMAN LIVING IN GALICIA?
As a Black woman, I have to remind myself that most people in Vigo have probably never seen a Black person. When I first moved to Galicia I had to stop myself from being so judgmental with people because sometimes they just have no idea.
So I turned my American mindset off.
I used to be very defensive, and at first, when the kids would want to touch my hair I used to get annoyed but after a while, I got ok with it.
After a few months, the kids would start coming to me telling me they wanted to get their hair braided to look just like me. One of the girls I teach even bought a black baby doll, and kept telling me how beautiful I was.
Things like that remind me that they are just kids. They're learning. So I always remind myself, not to be defensive and just teach them.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN GALICIA?
The people and culture here are really cool. People are actually very nice and welcoming.
Families that I teach often invite me to their homes for Christmas because they know I'm alone. A few friends and colleagues would also be taking me to their villages. I also got invited to a few weddings.
WHAT IS THE DATING SCENE LIKE IN GALICIA?
Dating in Galicia has been tough. In my experience, I found two types of guys here: men that fetishize you and the ones that just want to sleep with you.
NOW, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED AS AN EXPAT IN GALICIA?
When first moved out of the flat share I lived in to find my own place I had some issues with landlords for being a foreigner. So it was difficult to find a place. I went to like six or seven different places. And finally, I found a place that accepted me.
The other challenge was to get out of my American mindset. Accepting that people are going to be curious about me, and my culture. So I had to learn to be less defensive and open up to people. Everything else was fine.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK WOMAN LIVING IN GALICIA?
Overall it´s been good although I have experienced people thinking I'm a prostitute multiple times, and this happened during the day!
This one time, I had my English books, and I was waiting for the bus. This also happens to be the spot where parents pick up their kids. All of a sudden, this guy walks past me, we make eye contact, and he comes back, tell me I look pretty, and asks for my rates!
This all happened in the middle of a busy street, with people in the city center. So I stood up there in shock, and one of the parents who had witnessed the whole situation confronted the guy and he left. It was pretty shocking!
AS A BLACK WOMAN, DO YOU FEEL SAFER IN GALICIA OR IN THE US?
I definitely feel safer in Galicia. I can walk home on a night out at two o'clock in the morning and I don't feel scared or three o'clock in the morning. In Milwaukee, I was once mugged by a guy at gunpoint.
LET’S TALK ABOUT HAIR, HOW’S IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU HERE, WHAT’S YOUR HAIR STORY IN SPAIN?
It´s been a roller coaster. The one hairdresser that I really liked moved back to Africa, however, there are a few afro hairdressers I can suggest:
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER BLACK WOMEN LOOKING TO MOVE TO GALICIA?
If you're an American Black woman coming to Galicia be more open-minded. Don't be so defensive. Educate, because you will be encountering a lot of ignorance. Try to learn Spanish, and just have fun doing it.
Want to learn more about life in Galicia, you can reach out to Rebekah on Instagram: @Bekah.lee91
