We recorded this episode a little differently—on the beach, cava in hand, with the sound of the Mediterranean as our backdrop. The kids are finally (mostly) back in school after a long summer that started way back in May, and we’re finding our rhythm again.

This week, we share:

• Two schools, two worlds: Amalia started at BFIS, the American school, while Milan and Savana are at a Montessori that feels very European. Both have been eye-opening—Amalia has 20 new classmates (most American), while Montessori is a melting pot of kids from all over Europe.
• The independence factor: Amalia wants to ride the bus solo like a true pre-teen… except it’s the same bus Sara takes with the little ones. Cue teenage eye rolls.
• Community through soccer: Amalia’s team played their first matches, and suddenly we’re part of the Catalan soccer world—weekend tournaments, proud parents, and even our first conversations with local dads in Catalan and Spanish.
• The “say yes” philosophy: Whether it’s dinner invites, coffee meet-ups, or trying paddle for the first time, saying yes has already opened doors to friendships and a sense of belonging.
• The realities: Grocery shopping without a car, balancing late-night work with a nine-hour time difference, and navigating first-day-of-school nerves remind us that this isn’t just vacation—it’s real life in a new country.

Two months in, we’re still in awe of the differences—sometimes challenging, often beautiful—and grateful for this chance to experience Barcelona as more than tourists.

👉 Give it a listen, and if you’re thinking of making a similar move, we hope our stories help you picture what it’s really like.