Interview with Carole Morgan
What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Torrevieja?
Carole Morgan, 42, lived in Spain 14 months
What nationality are you and your partner?
British
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
4 Children, 21, 19, 16 & 6
Do you work and if so what to you do?
Not Working
What was your experience of relocating to Spain with children? (if relevant)?
Difficult but not as difficult as expected
How well integrated would you say you and your children are?
Children have integrated well, myself not so easily
What language do you speak to your children?
English
What is your impression of childcare and education in Torrevieja so far?
English private education very impressed very high level, Spanish education so far undecided
What school do your children go to?
16 yr old British School of Alicante, 6 yr old Rojales
Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
BSA was chosen because my son was 15 yrs old and to old to go into Spanish system, 6 yr old went straight into Spanish School because we felt that would be the best option for him to integrate and learn Spanish Life
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, restaurants, activities etc)?
There isn’t much for older children that are used to everything on their doorstep and are used to a wider variety off things to do as in they have in UK, my own 16 yr old is quite happy as he wasn’t a child that used to go out much in UK. For my 6 yr old there isn’t much difference to UK.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Spain?
Disadvantages are obvious ones like missing UK, job and friends and sometimes the hectic lifestyle. Advantages are peace of mind that children are a lot safer and can be given more freedom, the more laid back lifestyle, more time is spent with family and the ability to spend more time outside instead off indoors. Children don’t have such high demands for material things.
Is there anything you think would improve children’s lives in Torrevieja?
At present nothing apart for more places for older children to meet up.
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Spain with children?
I wouldn’t advice anyone that I knew regarding moving to another country, I’d help once they have reached a decision.
What do you miss about UK?
If you'd asked me a year ago I would have had a list but now none of its relevant because we have adapted our lifes (and to be honest we don't really miss anything material). We really don't go without anything, as you know we can get most things here. Even Next delivers here now!!!!! Jamie has managed to find a website that delivers his x box games!!!!!!(very important to a 16 yr old!!!) and if not he gets his step-bro to send them out. So really we can't moan about material things.
Dec 09
