A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:This isn't a relationship question but my heart is breaking, so it might as well be.I'm an American but I'm in love with Spain and have my heart set on going there to live. I'm not putting USA down, but I've never identified with the culture and I always felt unhappy in USA. I'm an American EFL teacher, and I did my teaching practice in Spain and fell in love with it. The trouble is that it's nearly impossible for North Americans to get legal permission to work there. It's completely unfair that Americans are discriminated against over there. I've been in unrequited love with a series of people, now with a COUNTRY. When I was there I realized how much I identified with the culture and I experienced a sernse of belonging and familiarity over there. I had a very difficult time ereadjusting when I returned to USA.Right now I'm teaching in Mexico. I actually love it here... Mexico is beautiful (the stuff you hear from the US media takes a lot out of context) and I have friends here, but a series of experiences have opened my eyes and I realized my heart is in Spain. I haven't experienced any violence here in Mexico but I've been feeling very sad here. I have always thought Mexican guys were amazing, and I would like to have a bf, but all these wonderful guys always get snatched up by Mexican girls. I'm not racist but it's starting to make me sick... I feel like I don't have a chance because I'm American. I look that the situation and it's so unfair... I KNOW I'd be a wonderful girlfriend. Every time I meet someone I like, he's inevitably snatched up by some Mexican girl. I despise racism but being close to this situation hurts a lot. It makes me crazy to see all these other girls getting joy from a guy I would like to be with and can't.I am not putting Mexico down but I miss the culture of Spain. I was there for a short time and got to know very little and there's so much I KNOW exists there, I'm dying to experience. I miss the music, the art, the culture. During my time in Spain I realized that I'm uncannily similar to a Spanish person and I feel like I was meant to have been Spanish. I have the heart and soul of someone from there. There are some nice people in Spain and I have friends there but I don't think anyone over there is gonna break my heart. But... I'm experiencing unrequited love for a country! My heart is in Spain and breaking because I don't see how I can ever go live there. Mexico is great but I belong in Spain. What to do?
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 May 2011): Have you talked to an immigration lawyer in Spain? a brief chat will probably cost nothing and will be considered a consultation. Find that out. I admire your soul and openness. Its a gift and im glad you want to embrace. This link might be useful :)http://www.spain-visas.com/Residence-permits-Stay-permits-pag6.htm
A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (7 May 2011):
 OP, as a side note, Europe discriminates against American wanna-be workers no more and no less than USA "discriminates " against European workers. When I lived there, in my circle of friends we were all foreign newspaper correspondents, researchers, Consulates personnel, international banks employees, etc . etc : all qualified , regular people with a regular visa, E1 or L1 or whatnot, with a social security number, and paying our taxes to USA government , and none of us could get a Green Card , at least in a reasonably short time. I am not saying it's impossible, but the requirements are so many and the burocratic obstacles so daunting , that most people would reconsider and just go home at the end of their contract or assignment.
Europe is no different, you just don't up and go there to work permanently, there are immigration laws and immigrat5ion quotas , so many people from country X, so many from Y, etc. And your academic credentials need to be equiparated to the local ones, that's a lengthy and costly procedure... as it is doing the opposite, from Europe to USA.
The fact is, countries need to look after their nationals first, and to make sure that first there is not any local citizen with your same qualifications for the position you aspire to. In the current state of world economy, that makes it harder for foreign white collars, but, don't blame Spain, it's the same everywhere. At least if you want to work legally and permanently.
Said that , why don't you take it a step at a time ?. I am in Italy, not Spain, but it should not be that different. There are several foreigners here with temporary but renewable visas who teach their mother tongue in schools. You need to be persistent and flood any language school, after school program, adult education program, private schools and universities with your curriculum; as a mother tongue English speaker you surely have a chance.
Also since you are bilingual you could work as translator and interpreter for big commercial and industrial companies, or societies organizing convention or events. Or, seek employment in an USA bank or industry or goverment organization with branches in Spain and ask to be relocated there. You may consider that a long shot, and it surely requires time , effort and determination, but , if this is your heart's desire, you have to be serious and unwavering in pursuing it.
A word of caution about "snatching " a Spanish guy. I am afraid you'll find they are like Mexican guys in that - or all guys in the world as for that. They like foreigners, they are attracted, made curious, fascinated by them... but when it's time to get real serious , it's MUCH easier they get "snatched " by a local, someone with the same culture, traditions,habits. The comfort of familiarity, you know. Big lure. Not to say that you could not find a Spanish husband, of course you could- but if this is your main enticement for living in Spain, keep in mind it's far from SURE this is going to happen .
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A
female
reader, cupidus  +, writes (7 May 2011):
 Holy St Theresa girl, get on the next plane. You've found your passion what are you waiting for. Get a working Visa and go to it. As far as a man, your soul will be singing so loudly the right guy will be on your heals before long. You'll be stalked by many people with that kind of joy.
I can't believe you had to ask. Keep us updated on your joyful adventure and send us a blog.
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