On 2009 December 30th, I flew from Helsinki to Málaga and left behind my job and apartment in Helsinki, the city that I had called home for 13 years. I went after a dream that I’ve had for twenty years, learn Spanish. It was not my first time living abroad but it was the first time that I had a clear objective for my stay somewhere.
Once I moved to Málaga my life changed totally. Within a few weeks of landing, I started my studies at Universidad de Málaga. I also started exploring the suburbs of the city, as well as the rest of Andalucía. The carefree life without the responsibilities of work-life sucked me in totally. I just wanted to keep learning, eating and experiencing more.
Andalucians have their reservations about foreigners and it is not easy to make friends with them. Luckily Málaga is very popular among university students and getting friends or having things to do was not difficult. It really helped me to feel at home in quite a short period. Málaga is a fantastic place to socialize, play sports and for cultural amusement. I ended my studies in 6 months and at that time I had met my future husband (even though I didn’t know it at that time). At that time I had already created an emotional bond towards Málaga and had a few important friendships created as well.
Staying or leaving?
After finishing school I had to find a job or leave and find somewhere else to go. I wanted to stay so I put all in me to find a job. Eventually, after two months of searching and after a few interviews I found a job in a caviar factory. My job was to translate texts and answer to phone. Lots of sweat and tears were shed but I managed to work in Spanish for the first time in my life! Slowly but surely my life was on a good track and life in Málaga was good. Sunny mornings and long days at work (like they are in Spain), lots of outdoor life and weekend trips.
Until… I found out I was pregnant. It didn’t come as a surprise but It meant that we had to reevaluate our economic situation. Spain was at that moment still recovering from the recession that began shortly before 2008. I was already well aware that maternity leave is incredibly short in Spain, only four months. That meant for us that we had to think everything all over. Can we manage with only one salary? No, we can not. One April afternoon we made the hard decision to leave our beloved Málaga.
Málaga – I wish I was there
After nine years in Finland, after two children and a husband (still the one that I met in sunny Málaga). After various trips to other places but also to Málaga. I still wish daily, that I was there. Even though I know it wouldn’t be the same as before. I have changed and so has Málaga. Bracing myself for yet another winter in Finland, convincing myself weekly we are better off here now.
But, I wish I was there.
If you are interested in life in Málaga this official page has good information on life in Málaga.