When Spaniards discuss migration, they typically view it from the
perspective of Spain being the destination. However, they can
be immigrants too: whether they experienced exile decades ago or
pursued better job opportunities abroad to navigate financial crises.
Even today, many continue to travel to broaden their professional and
personal horizons. They are the fortunate ones who, instead of
being forced to leave, choose to
live an adventure beyond their homeland.
I never thought I would be an immigrant myself. But in 2015, I
became one when I relocated to Boston to pursue a Master of
Fine Arts. Seeking to understand my experience, I became
fascinated by the Electoral Census of Spaniards Residing Abroad
(CERA), where Spanish nationals must register if they plan to
live outside Spain for more than a year. Suddenly, I became a
number.
Migration is a multifaceted experience, offering both freedom and
loneliness. It provides an opportunity for reinvention, away
from the constraints of familiarity. It is a time of discovery,
not only for oneself but also for those who become part of the
journey: friends, family, or colleagues, among many others.
Together, we navigate the nuances of what we miss from home,
what remains unchanged, and what is better in our new home.
Migration is not a binary experience—it exists in shades of gray.
To provide a wider representation of this view, I reached out
to fellow Spaniards who currently live or have lived across
different parts of the United States. I asked them about what they
missed from Spain and their newfound joys. This project delves
into the complexities of Spanish migration in the United States:
from the cold statistical data to the challenges and achievements
of those who embark on the journey of seeing how their culture
intersects with another.
