Moving abroad is one of the few big life challenges you will face. Leaving behind friends and family will be a big wrench, you may feel homesick but, if you stay strong and persevere, you can create a brand new, exciting life in your new country.
Lots of people will tell you how brave you are – they too would move internationally if they weren’t so scared. Well, courage makes up about 10% of life-changing decisions. The other 90% is purely about wanting it with all your heart.
From the moment you arrive in your new Spanish home, you will most likely experience a whole gamut of emotions: new places, new habits, new language, new challenges, new people are now part of your new everyday life.
You spend a few weeks getting a feel for the local area, buying new furniture, decorating here and there, sorting the garden and making your new home yours. Now it’s time to spread your wings and make some friends.
What to do?
Well, maybe it’s time to try out your Spanish. If your neighbours are Spanish, then that’s a bonus; you can start with the basics and build from there. They will appreciate the fact that you’re trying to speak their language, so don’t be shy!
Next, find out about local groups and activities that appeal to you. In most towns there will be groups for art, crafts, yoga, pilates, walking, cycling, singing, plus charities that you can volunteer for. No matter what you choose, joining a group will help you make new friends and enrich your life.
As you may already know, I manage a ladies’ a cappella chorus, based in Los Alcázares. We’re celebrating 20 years of harmony singing this year and have lots of things planned to celebrate. We’re not just a chorus and we don’t just get together once a week to rehearse; we’re a strong support network and, for some, we are their surrogate family.

If you live in our area, by all means get in touch or come along on a Thursday to meet up and see if you’d like to become an “a cappella babe’!
If it turns out singing without backing music isn’t for you, someone in our group should be able to direct you to what you are interested in.
If you’re not in our area, I can assure you that you will find friendly groups enjoying the things you love and friendly ‘people like us’ all the way up the coast; you can always get details from your local town hall.
Small village or large town, there are always people who like doing what you do – and you don’t HAVE to speak Spanish – but don’t leave it too long before you get going with it.
More about that next month perhaps……
Lyn Baines sings bass with Spangles is a ladies’ a cappella chorus, singing in four-part harmony. They rehearse every Thursday, from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm at Centro Municipal Las Claras, Calle Helena, Los Narejos, Los Alcázares and visitors are always welcome. If you’d like to book the chorus for an event or you are thinking about joining them, you can find out more by emailing: info@spangleschorus.com