Hey everyone! I’m so incredibly excited to welcome you to this space, a place where we can navigate the beautiful, sometimes bewildering, world of working abroad together. I’m a Korean woman in my early thirties, and trust me, I’ve had my fair share of adventures (and misadventures!) trying to build a career in new countries. My journey has taken me from the bustling corporate world of Melbourne, Australia, to the vibrant, hybrid-friendly streets of Barcelona, Spain. This whirlwind has been a masterclass in learning, adapting, and growing – especially when I first arrived in Barcelona without a single word of Spanish under my belt! If you’re an expat, a remote worker, or someone juggling office days with home office life, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation, you’re absolutely in the right place.
The Barcelona Calling: My Leap of Faith from Melbourne
For years, I’d envisioned a life less about a single fixed address and more about diverse experiences. After sharpening my skills and building a solid foundation in Melbourne’s dynamic professional landscape, I felt an undeniable pull towards Europe. While Australia offered a fantastic quality of life, the thought of immersing myself in a completely new culture, learning a new language, and exploring the vast continent of Europe from a central base became an irresistible dream. And among all the European cities, Barcelona kept calling my name.
It wasn’t just the promise of sun-drenched beaches, Gaudí’s architectural wonders, or the world-renowned tapas (though those were definitely a draw!). Barcelona represented a unique blend: a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a rich history, a burgeoning tech scene, and a strong international community. It felt like the perfect place to grow both personally and professionally. Making the leap from a comfortable life in Melbourne to a new chapter in Barcelona, specifically joining a global company with an office here while largely working from home, was a calculated risk, a “leap of faith” as I like to call it. It meant navigating a hybrid work model, becoming my own boss in a way for those home office days, and learning to thrive without the constant, in-person team interaction I was used to. This transition wasn’t always smooth sailing – especially with the **initial shock of not speaking a word of Spanish** – but it was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.
My Hybrid Work Revolution: Productivity & Setting Up My Barcelona Hub
Juggling office days with home office life in a new country has been an incredible learning curve! Managing my responsibilities for a global company from my Barcelona base, while coordinating with colleagues across different time zones, meant finding a whole new rhythm. The biggest challenge wasn’t just creating a professional yet comfortable workspace within a charming (but often smaller!) Barcelona apartment for my work-from-home days. I quickly realized that discipline, effective tools, and a keen understanding of my own energy rhythms were going to be my best friends.
I’ve experimented with countless apps, perfected my daily routine (which often includes an espresso to kickstart the day, Spanish style!). One key takeaway? Boundaries are absolutely crucial. It’s incredibly easy for work to bleed into your personal life when your home is also your office, especially when you’re living in a city as captivating and distracting as Barcelona. Even with a physical office to go to a couple of days a week, those work-from-home days require real self-management. I quickly learned the value of a “commute” – whether it was a brisk walk around the block, a cycle to a nearby park, or, crucially, dedicating a few days a week to working from one of Barcelona’s fantastic co-working spaces or a quiet café. This mental and physical separation became vital for maintaining focus, avoiding burnout, and injecting some fresh energy into my routine, ensuring that both my office days and home office days were productive.
Embracing the Barcelona Lifestyle: Language, Community, and Growth
While my work is a significant part of my life, embracing the expat experience in Barcelona has been about so much more than just my job. It’s about the exhilarating, and sometimes humbling, process of learning Spanish from scratch. My early days were filled with fumbling through conversations at the Mercadona, relying heavily on frantic hand gestures and Google Translate for basic interactions, and celebrating small victories like ordering café con leche without a hitch. It’s a continuous journey, but every new word learned feels like unlocking a secret door to the city’s soul.
Beyond language, it’s about building a new community. Barcelona’s vibrant expat scene made this easier, with endless meetups, language exchanges (intercambios), and sports groups where I’ve forged incredible friendships. The hybrid work model sometimes means less casual office banter, which makes actively seeking out social connections outside of work even more vital. But it’s also about pushing past the expat bubble and connecting with locals – sharing a Vermut in Gràcia, trying to dance Sardanes in a local festa major, or simply engaging in everyday banter with my local shopkeepers. Living and working abroad isn’t just about career progression; it’s about profound personal growth, deep cultural immersion, and truly understanding yourself outside of your comfort zone. My journey from a busy Seoul upbringing, through the organized calm of Melbourne, to a thriving, dynamic life in Barcelona, has shown me that with a bit of courage, relentless adaptability, and the right mindset, you can genuinely build a life you love, no matter where your passport takes you.
Are you an expat in Europe, or dreaming of becoming one? What were your biggest challenges or most surprising joys when you first landed? I’d love to hear about your experiences and what excites you most about abroad!