“To actually do something active—like mentoring—that let me talk about Spain so much was brilliant. It really brought it all back.”

Behind every great experience abroad, there’s someone who’s been there, done that, and is ready to help. That’s where Elizabeth Watt comes in!

After two years as an auxiliar in Murcia, Lizzie took her love for Spain and turned it into something more—becoming a ConversaSpain mentor and helping our future auxiliares navigate their own journeys.

Lizzie, thank you for sharing your story and for being part of this community in and beyond Spain. Chatting with you and hearing about your previous experience is what makes our job worth it!

Read the full interview to hear how she went from auxiliar to mentor!

-So, tell me about your journey in Murcia as an auxiliar. When did you get here, and where did you teach?

I arrived in October 2021, and I was so excited! Living in Spain had been a dream for years, and despite the stress of visas and COVID, I finally made it. It was hands down the best experience of my life.

I worked at three primary schools over two years—one in a mid-sized town, another in a tiny village, and the last in Murcia city. Having multiple schools was great; I met more people, had varied experiences, and got to be creative with my lessons. I especially loved sharing British culture with the kids, like holidays they don’t celebrate in Spain.

-It really is an exchange, isn’t it? You teach English, but you also learn about Spanish culture.

Exactly! And I fully immersed myself, living in Murcia city with Spanish speakers. I already knew Spanish from school, so it was the perfect way to improve.

-Murcia has a strong accent. How did you handle it?

Honestly, it wasn’t too difficult. I’d been exposed to different Spanish accents over the years, so I adapted quickly.

-You moved back home in 2023 and now work at a nursery school. But you stayed connected with ConversaSpain as a mentor. What made you say yes?

I loved my experience with ConversaSpain! The support was invaluable, and I wanted to give back. When I started, I didn’t have a mentor, and while I managed, it would have been great to have someone to ask those little questions. Plus, I just love talking about Spain!

-So, what’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known as a first-year auxiliar?

Don't panic! Documentation was my biggest stress, but in reality, it always works out. The key is communication—talk to ConversaSpain and your school if there are issues.

-Great point! How did it feel going from being an auxiliar to mentoring new ones?

Not weird at all, actually! It was so interesting to hear everyone’s backgrounds, why they were moving to Spain, and what they were excited about. It was fun sharing recommendations, especially with people heading to Murcia.

-Any unexpected or funny questions from your mentees?

The most surprising one was, “What should I wear to school?” I also got a lot of questions about housing, transportation, and whether they could take on other jobs—which, of course, I told them to check with ConversaSpain!

-Those small details can feel like huge questions when you’re moving abroad. If you had to prepare an ‘Auxiliar Emergency Kit’ for these kinds of things, what would be in it?

Three things I couldn't have survived without... First, Google Translate’s lens feature—just point your phone at a menu or sign, and it translates right there. Lifesaver.

Second, a list of things to do in your city—literally how I made one of my best friends. I found a list of museums, dropped a message in the auxiliar WhatsApp group, and we just went.

And speaking of, that WhatsApp group? Essential. Housing, private tutoring opportunities, last-minute plans—it was all there. I told all my mentees to join because, honestly, I don’t know what I would've done without it

-And beyond sharing that information with them, what did you do as a mentor?

The first thing I did was email everyone to introduce myself and explain my experience in Spain. I also organized some online events. I had set times, but I told everyone I was flexible if they needed adjustments, especially with the time difference for American and Canadian participants.

I got lots of replies—some people just wanted to chat about their situations, others had specific questions. It was such a mix of backgrounds, which was fascinating. Those email exchanges continued until the meetings, where we got to know each other better and talk more in-depth about the experience. It was really rewarding to help others navigate this journey!

-It’s great to have those kinds of networks and connections. I’m glad that made everything a little easier.

Yeah! The first couple of weeks I was in Murcia, both years, there was a picnic organized for all the auxiliares in the region. It was very informal—someone just picked a day, and we all met at the local park. But I made so many friends! It was amazing.

I always tell people, especially mentees, how fantastic those events are because there’s no pressure—everyone is looking to make friends, and nobody really knows anyone yet. It’s just a really nice and easy way to connect. That picnic was shared in the group chat too, so everything just kind of came together naturally.

When you go abroad, everyone is in the same boat. Everyone wants to meet people, and everyone struggles a little. So, it's nice to share those anxieties and help each other out.

-You were one of the few mentors supporting auxiliares from the UK while actually being in the UK, since most of the others are still living in Spain. How did it feel to stay connected to Spain from afar? Did it make you want to go back?

Definitely! It was so nice to carry on that connection. Unfortunately, speaking Spanish isn’t a big part of my life anymore—I have one Colombian friend at work who speaks Spanish, but that’s about it. I really miss it. I try to stay connected to Spain as much as I can. I actually went back to Murcia last year while living in the UK, which was fantastic.

One of my best friends, who I met as an auxiliar, now lives just 45 minutes away from me in England! So, that’s really nice. But to actually do something active—like mentoring—that let me talk about Spain so much was brilliant. It really brought it all back.

-Once you’ve lived abroad, you can’t stop talking about it! When I came back home, I wouldn’t shut up about my experience. Did mentoring give you an excuse to talk about it without feeling like that annoying person who won’t stop reminiscing?

Exactly! I do sometimes wonder if I talk about it too much. So, having a reason to discuss it was really nice. I love talking about Spain!

-Is there anything cultural or a way of doing things that stuck with you from Spain?

Oh, absolutely! I really miss the relaxed way of life in Spain. Just going to a sunny café in the afternoon, having a coffee—it was so nice. And I really miss the food. I actually tried making paella a few months ago.

-How did it turn out?

It was good! I’m vegetarian, so it wasn’t traditional, but I was happy with it. Also, I try to bring a more relaxed approach to life, but it’s not as easy here. I work much longer hours, and well... the UK is much grayer and gloomier!

-I always say that in Spain, we work to live, not live to work. Would you say you've tried to bring that mindset back with you?

I try to! It was definitely easier in Spain. But actually, today is a great example. I used to take a lot of day trips to explore. So today, I have the day off, and I’m taking the train to Bath for a little getaway—trying to recapture some of that Murcia energy!

-That’s great to hear, have fun today! You might say that this experience changed your life…

It really did. It was my dream to live in Spain, and ConversaSpain made it happen. It wasn’t easy, but because it was difficult, I appreciated it even more. The support I got made such a difference.

-That says a lot about you! Instead of giving up when things got hard, you pushed through.

Thank you! It’s actually changed my future plans too. I’d love to live abroad again and I’m now considering teaching English as a second language in the UK. So, this experience didn’t just change my personal life—it also gave me a new career path to consider.