Fitting In

Life in a small Mallorcan village: How integrated are you?

“The limits of my language are the limits of my world.”

You smile, you wave, you say hello to the old and the young. You shop in the local shops and you drink in the bars and cafés but how many Spanish friends do you have?

When I first moved to the island and the village that I still live in today, I was determined to integrate, learn Spanish and become part of the community.

I volunteered, teaching English at the local school.

I made friends with a few chicas in the village and I really felt part of the village.

The good intentions unfortunately did not last: I worked for many years all around the island, driving here, there and everywhere. I would come back home, tired, to my village house, that we were renovating; I would hibernate and stay home.

My language skills did not improve and I retreated into the comfort of expat friendship groups.

Move forward a few years, I went into business; opened a tutoring academy and worked six days a week for years. Coming home tired and with one day off, Sunday was spent cleaning and being a domestic goddess.

For the last two years a friend and I ran a weekly theatre group for kids. It was fun and gave me a sense of community once again.

Last year I gave English lessons to adults each Monday night in our village library. Little monetary reward and that is not the point; it felt good.

I felt like I was contributing once again. I felt as if I was part of the community again.

Reflecting on my time here to date:

What has held me back? My language development. Despite being a teacher and imparting knowledge and advice to my students, of all ages, I did not heed my own words.

If you do one thing to make yourself part of the place you live: learn the language in fact learn both languages, if you can.

Shop local

Eat local

Drink local

Talk to everyone

Speak to everyone, use your words. Even if you are in the wrong tense. Practise daily and the language will come!

Don’t be scared. They are generally really friendly and accommodating people here on this beautiful island that we like to call home. .