I moved to Spain without even knowing basic Spanish. It's been a challenging year, but I hope to stick around.
Business Insider
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Moving to Spain without knowing Spanish was an ambitious decision made by Leslie Keener after falling in love with the country during several visits. Despite her lack of language skills, she chose to relocate, facing numerous challenges but ultimately finding the experience rewarding. The process of settling into a new country proved daunting, particularly when it came to securing housing. With minimal Spanish knowledge, Keener relied on Google Translate and bilingual support from her hotel to navigate the rental agreement for an apartment in Seville’s historic center.
The daily struggles were significant, especially in simple tasks like grocery shopping or doctor’s visits. Without proficiency in Spanish, Keener often resorted to pointing, gesturing, or using translation apps to communicate. Her inability to engage in casual conversations or express emotions effectively added to the difficulty. Despite these hurdles, she found solace in local patience and support, which helped her gradually improve her language skills.
This journey highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability when moving abroad for work or personal reasons. While challenges like language barriers are common, they can often be overcome with determination and local assistance. For business readers, Keener’s story underscores the value of cultural integration in fostering success in
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/24/2026