I’m Tyra, a first-year Language Assistant in San Leonardo de Yagüe, in the province of Soria.

Less than a year ago, I made the decision to turn my ‘whys’ into ‘why nots’ when it came to pursuing my dream of living abroad. Studying abroad had been a dream of mine since college, and the day I discovered RVF International, I knew I could finally make it happen.

From webinars with Q&A sessions to the detailed responses to all my questions, RVF’s step-by-step approach made the visa process feel manageable and even enjoyable. I’ve emailed their support team many times and always receive patient, thoughtful, and clear answers. The staff truly go above and beyond without ever making you feel like your question is silly.

In just two weeks at my placement, one of the most surprising things I’ve noticed is how much locals respect teachers. When they hear that I’m helping teach English to their children or grandchildren, they instantly welcome me into the community. I absolutely love that.

Living here has already changed me for the better. Being out of my cultural and linguistic comfort zone has made me more engaged with the world around me.

I’ve embraced the simplicity of hanging laundry on a clothesline, cooking meals from scratch, and having dinners that start at 10 p.m. with neighbors who’ve become friends.

For anyone contemplating this program, my advice is simple: do it. No matter your age or your level of Spanish, go for it. This is one of those rare life experiences where you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.