My name is Sarah Berenguer and I am originally from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England.  I currently live in Alicante city in Spain and have been here for 10 years now.

1. Why did you move abroad?
My dad was born the old town in Alicante and moved to England when he was young, but he never taught me Spanish or spoke to me about the culture as I was growing up.  I was curious as I got older so decided to take evening classes while working in London to learn the language.  I went on holiday a few times to Alicante and enjoyed my visits, especially one particular time during the local fiestas of San Juan, or also known as Las Hogueras.  I had no ties to London (apart from a fantastic job in a design team renovating luxury hotels) and I decided to take the plunge and try living here.  I set myself up with a job before moving over and as soon as I arrived enrolled in a language school to learn as quickly as possible.

2. How do you make a living?
I opened a decoration and interior design shop in the centre of Alicante in April this year called Read and Sixty (www.readandsixty.com).  I have worked in the interior design industry since graduating in London in 2000 and as there are fewer job opportunities currently in Spain I decided to start my own business.  Previously I also gave private lessons of English conversation to children and adults in my spare time.  

3. How often do you communicate with home and how?
I speak to my parents twice a week via Skype because it’s a free service and it’s nice to be able to see the person you are talking to.  Before using Skype, I used VOipBuster which was like making telephone calls via the computer without video but it was cheaper than using the telephone.  

4. What's your favorite thing about being an expat in Alicante?
To some degree its nice being different because my business stands out and people remember me.  I have the benefit of knowing how another country and culture functions and can make the comparisons also bringing over ideas and styles from the UK to Alicante.

5. What’s the worst thing about being an expat in Alicante?
The actions and attitude of some Brits abroad have given the rest of us a bad name among the Spanish community.  However once people see that you are in the town for more than just the weather they are really accepting and most hospitable.

6. What do you miss most?
I miss British TV programs, certain British food products like Marmite or sticky toffee puddings, certain shops like Boots which has lots of variety and special offers, and speaking in English in general.

7. What did you do to meet people and integrate in your new home?
Working in a Spanish company the moment I arrived gave me the opportunity to meet Spanish people and socialize.  I also made an effort to speak with the locals and go and be a part of the festivities.  By going to the language school, I also met other expats in my situation from other countries who I also made friends with.

8. What custom/ habits do you find most strange about your adopted culture?
I have gotten used to the different meal times but I find the commercial hours frustrating.  By closing during 3 hours for lunch the working day is split up and feels much longer.  Also, most small businesses are closed on Saturday afternoons which is when most people go shopping in the UK.  Banks have short opening times and are closed on Saturdays so during the week queues are long.  Also banks charge commissions for lots of operations that we expect to be free in the UK.

9. What is a myth about your adopted country?
Everyone has a siesta, wears flamenco dresses and fights bulls.

10. Is the cost of living higher or lower than the last country you lived in and how has that made a difference in your life?
The cost of living in Alicante is lower than in London, but wages are much lower too so it’s all relative.  I have a much better quality of life over here and now see that money is not so important to me anymore.  Going out socializing can be very inexpensive, so I go out to eat many times more times a week than when I lived in the UK.

11. What advice would you give other expats?
If you don’t want to learn the language of the place you have decided to live in then it is highly recommended to contract the services of someone who can translate documentation required for starting out in situations like applying for residency, buying a house or car, or starting a business.  Also, buy a good pair of sunglasses!

12. When and why did you start your blog?
I started my blog, thisisalicantelife.blogspot.com, over a year ago now commenting on things that happen around me in Alicante and my own opinions of what I see and do over here.  As I received many visitors who always asked me about life in general over here, I thought that maybe there were many more people out there who were also curious about living in Alicante.  I was interviewed by and took part in a BBC program (Escape to the Continent) last month focusing on Alicante and they got in touch with me after finding my blog online.  I also have been contacted by people from other countries like the US, Germany or Poland who wanted to ask me specific questions which I am always happy to answer.

Sarah's blog, This is Alicante Life

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