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# A Spanish Adventure
- URL: https://www.noteofdaring.com/a-spanish-adventure/
- Published: 2023-07-27T15:15:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-09T15:08:10.000Z
- Description: Spending August Living & Working in Valencia, Spain
- Author: Rachel Thompson
- Tags: Adventures, Valencia

Five months ago, on the 1st of March, I booked a month-long trip to Valencia, Spain with a company called [Remote Year](https://www.remoteyear.com/programs/trips/valencia?sku=230730-trip-valencia&ref=noteofdaring.com).

**And now, my flight leaves Saturday!** I’m slightly nervous, mostly ready, and super excited.

\*\*

Five months is both a long time and no time at all.

In April, I paid for a six-month subscription to [Babbel ](http://www.babbel.com/?ref=noteofdaring.com)\- including the upgrade with live classes - and have been learning Spanish. The app tells me I’ve attended 15 live classes and have learned 367 words.  
  
And, while I’ve been exposed to Spanish throughout my life through my mom, this is the first time I’ve really put any effort into learning Spanish. And I do feel that my comprehension has improved from the first class I sat in on and the most recent one where I could mostly follow along.

And how might 35 days in a Spanish-speaking country impact my language skills?

I’d hope a lot, **AND ALSO** I know that it is easy to surround myself with English speakers. Either the community of remotes I’ll be with or the locals who what to practice their English. Or the fact that I’ll be working in English.

So, I suppose I’m aiming for relentlessly realistic expectations for myself around my Spanish skills and what I’m willing to do (or not do) to improve.

The main question I’ve been asking myself about this whole adventure is this.

### What do I want my experience to be and feel like?

And my responses to that have guided many decisions so far, and hopefully more throughout the next month.

- **Picking Remote Year** → I wanted a built-in community of people I could easily socialize and explore with.
- **Picking Valencia** → A coastal city with beaches and water things so I can snorkel and scuba dive more easily.
- **Residential** → I’m excited about staying in an apartment because I’m wanting a residential experience versus a touristy one. And that means not making weekend trips.
- **Working** → I picked August because it’s a quiet month for my clients-wise. I do have various Daring Studios projects I’m planning to put attention and energy towards. And this community is for remote workers so that supports me here too.
- **Learning Spanish** → I’d say my approach here is a mix of continuing with the structure of Babbel and leaning into what might happen on the streets with a curious mindset.

I want my experience to be full of people, nature, and curiosity.

I want to feel delight, deep focus, and connection.

And also approach this adventure by holding things lightly. The challenge and tangle of life is the unknown.

A lot can happen in five months or even 35 days.

Hopefully, I’ll be spending 35 days living in a local apartment, working in a local co-working space, and doing all the beach, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving adventures.

\*\*

What adventures are you exploring in August?