The Privileges of an EU Passport (That No One Talks About) Maria, January 28, 2026January 27, 2026 Let’s talk about something that makes people uncomfortable: privilege. Specifically, the privilege that comes with holding a Spanish passport and being an EU citizen. I wasn’t born with this. I’m Filipino. I came to Spain, I lived through the residency requirements, I went through the bureaucracy, I waited, and eventually,… Continue Reading
DELE A2 & CCSE Explained 2026 | How to Pass Spain’s Citizenship Exams with Confidence Maria, January 25, 2026January 27, 2026 If 2026 is the year you’re finally applying for Spanish citizenship through residency, you already know there’s no getting around it—you’ve got two exams standing between you and that Spanish passport: the DELE A2 and the CCSE. I get it. These exams can feel overwhelming. Trust me, I was sitting… Continue Reading
How Quitting My Corporate Job Led Me to Remote Work, Travel, and a New Life in Spain Maria, January 21, 2026January 27, 2026 In 2015, I made a decision that completely turned my life upside down. That year, I had everything society says you should want — a Master’s degree, a well-paying corporate job at one of the biggest FMCG companies in the Philippines, and living on my own in a condo in… Continue Reading
2025 Year in Review, 2026 Goals Maria, January 14, 2026January 27, 2026 Happy New Year, everyone! We are 14 days into 2026 and here I am doing our 2025 year in review which includes wins and misses and of course the goals we’ve set for this year. Every new year, I set 12 goals for me and my partner to achieve until… Continue Reading
The Spain Language Assistant Program (Auxiliares de Conversación): Your Gateway to Living and Teaching in Spain Maria, November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 Not sure yet if you want to live in Spain? Then this program could be your stepping stone as it’s an incredible opportunity to live, work, and immerse yourself in Spanish culture! IMPORTANT: Guidelines for the upcoming 2026–2027 Language Assistant Program in Spain has not been announced yet but, hopefully,… Continue Reading
How to Get Your Schengen Visa Approved Without Using an Agency (And Save Thousands!) Maria, November 9, 2025November 12, 2025 Planning a European adventure in the next 6 months? Or maybe thinking about that Digital Nomad Visa in Spain? Either way, getting your Schengen visa sorted should be at the top of your to-do list! I’ve helped tons of people—family, friends, relatives back home in the Philippines and in Canada—get… Continue Reading
The Real Struggles of Learning Spanish (And How to Overcome Them) Maria, November 2, 2025November 3, 2025 So you decided to learn Spanish. Maybe you thought it’d be easier than other languages, or maybe you just wanted to understand Bad Bunny lyrics without Google Translate. Either way, if you’ve been at it for a while, you’ve probably realized that it’s not quite as straightforward as you expected…. Continue Reading
How to Actually Start Working Remotely (From Someone Who’s Done It for 10 Years) Maria, October 26, 2025November 3, 2025 So you want to ditch the office and start working remotely? Trust me, I get it. I’ve been getting this question non-stop, especially since remote work and digital nomad visas have become such hot topics. Here’s the thing though—when I made the jump back in 2015, it wasn’t all sunshine… Continue Reading
Your No-BS Guide to Moving to Spain: Where Do You Even Start? Maria, October 12, 2025November 3, 2025 “I want to move to Spain, but I don’t know where to start.” If you’ve ever thought this, welcome to the club. Seriously, I hear this all the time—whether it’s “What’s the first step to getting Spanish residency?” or “Which visa do I even need?” or my personal favorite, “How… Continue Reading
How to Get a Carta de Invitación in Barcelona: A Complete Guide Maria, September 28, 2025September 28, 2025 Getting your family to visit Spain? Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining an official invitation letter in Barcelona. This year, I’m beyond excited for the holidays! My two sisters from Canada are finally coming to visit, and we’re planning to travel to Finland together. It’s going to be… Continue Reading