La vida Barcelona

Name: Chris Maxwell
Age: 34
Hometown: Victoria
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Job: Researcher, Catalan Institute of Oncology

I moved here because I met a researcher at a conference, and when he relocated to Barcelona he offered me a position. My wife and I thought it would be a perfect chance to live abroad for a few years.

The biggest shock was the high cost of living compared to salaries, especially rent and real estate, and the exodus of locals in August; shops simply close for the month.

The biggest challenge has been making new friends. The locals are private at first but very warm when you get to know them.

The biggest misconception I had was that we would learn to speak Spanish within a few months. However, even if you are immersed in a different language, it is very difficult. Also, while Catalan is very similar to Spanish, the pronunciation is quite distinct.

People’s biggest concerns are maintaining their culture, which was quite repressed during the Franco years. The Catalans are quite intimately connected to their unique traditions.

The standard of living is very good despite the low wages. The health care system is excellent and universal.

The food is tasty and always drenched in olive oil. Favourites are the wonderful Spanish wines, the cheeses and the local sausages.

What I miss most are my friends and family in Canada, spicy food and Sunday NFL football.

What B.C. could learn from Barcelona is living day-to-day rather than constantly thinking about the future.