Catriona Nunn To kick off our Moving Abroad for Love, Adventure or Study Series, we hear from Physics alum David Grove (1969) who became a science teacher in Germany, and is now in Jávea, Spain. Reflecting on more than two decades abroad, he shares the challenges, rewards and enduring appeal of building a new life overseas.
I graduated in Physics in 1969 and then returned a year later to complete my PGCE in June 1969. Today, my wife Hilary and I live in Jávea, Spain, having chosen to retire somewhere with a better climate and a more relaxed pace of life.
After my first five years of teaching in London and then South Yorkshire, I learned – quite by accident – about the British Forces Education Service and moved to Gütersloh, Germany, in 1976. We stayed in Germany for over 23 years, including 15 years in Berlin where I was Head of the Science Department. After spending so much of our lives abroad, we had no doubt that we would also retire overseas. Our eventual choice was influenced by the many happy caravanning holidays we had enjoyed in Spain over the years.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning the language. I had studied French at O Level and remembered some of it, and I learned essential German while living there, but Spanish has proved far more difficult. Despite two years of night classes before we moved, and further lessons since arriving, it continues to challenge me. Spanish bureaucracy has also been a hurdle – registering, buying property, becoming tax resident, and obtaining ID cards can feel like a nightmare – but it is worth enduring for the life we now enjoy.
In many ways, life here has been easier than we expected. Day – to – day living is not so different, and we have always felt welcome. We live in an area with a significant expatriate community, including many from the UK, and have made a wide circle of friends – particularly through our involvement with the University of the Third Age (U3A).
Life is far less stressful than before. Even when I was working – teaching part – time for three years in an international school with a 40% Spanish intake – the pace felt more manageable. In fact, we now enjoy a much fuller social life than we did during the seven years we spent living in Somerset between our time in Germany and our move to Spain.
We still have family in the UK, whom we visit regularly, and they come to see us several times a year. However, we have no desire to return to live there.
Looking back, I had not seriously considered moving abroad while I was at university. At the time, we had expected to spend no more than six years in Germany – yet it turned into more than two decades and ultimately shaped the life we lead today.
Brexit has undoubtedly made it more difficult for those considering a move to Europe. While it is not impossible, the process is more complex than it once was. That said, it is still well worth the effort.
Thinking about taking your career abroad? Interstride is a global career platform that helps students and alumni find international jobs, internships and career opportunities, with resources on visas, immigration and working in more than 150 countries.
If you’d like to share your story about moving abroad for Love, Adventure or Study, please Share your memories and reflections.
