Interview with Julia Ashworth
What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Javea?
My name is Julia Ashworth and I’m 33. We’ve been living in Spain since July 2006, so nearly 3 years.
What nationality are you and your partner?
I’m German (although I moved to the UK as a child) and my husband is British.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
We have 2 children: Gemma who is 3 ¾ and Benjamin who is nearly 2.
Do you work and if so what do you do?
I’m a stay-at-home-mum at the moment.
What was your experience of having a baby in Spain?
My second child was born in Spain and overall it was a shorter and less traumatic experience than my first birth back in the UK, but then that may have been because it was my second.
What was your experience of relocating to Javea with children?
After all the horror stories we’d been told and had read about in the media we were very pleasantly surprised at how easy and smooth everything went. We knew we wanted to move to somewhere hot so we found a selection of houses on http://www.rightmove.com The majority of those were being sold through a local Javea estate agent (then: House Detectives, now: Villa Lingo), who helped us every step of the way. The owner took care of us personally and helped us find the right place for us. She also recommended a trustworthy English-speaking Spanish solicitor. It turned out to be the best house-buying experience ever! As for the move itself, we sold our furniture and sold/gave away most of our belongings so that we ended up with only a carload of things. We also brought over our two cats, tortoise and iguana on the aeroplane. Our daughter Gemma was a trooper through it all (she was only 12 months at the time).
How well intergrated would you say you and your children are?
Fairly well with regard to the English-speaking community, but not at all with regard to the local Spanish community. I’m hoping that as our Spanish improves that will change.
What language do you speak to your children?
English, although I do try to expose my children to German through songs and games (and German TV).
What is your impression of childcare and education in Javea so far?
I’ve not got any experience of local Spanish nurseries and/or schools so I really can’t comment on them. My daughter has recently started at the Firs Nursery and we are very impressed. Until recently there was a serious lack of mother/toddler groups, but thanks to the Firs Nursery, the Lighthouse Church and now Little Angels there really is plenty to do for little ones.
The only thing I wish existed here was a more truly bilingual school where half the lessons are in English and half in Spanish. I know that XIC and LES offer Spanish-language streams, but unless you’ve started early enough or are fluent in Spanish the children are taught Spanish as a foreign language.
What school do your children go to?
The Firs Primary School (nursery class)
Why did you choose this school and are you happy with your choice?
After long deliberation we decided on an English school and the Firs. We chose the English path for various reason the main one being that we wanted to take an active part in our children’s education. I also really love the practical approach to learning within English schools. I’ve been told by many that the Spanish approach is a lot more rote learning (I.e. parrot fashion), although that is supposed to be changing nowadays.
We chose the Firs in particular because of its small size and its family atmosphere. The flexibility in the early years was also a big factor for us. Overall we feel that our children will be happy there, which to us is more important than that they learn to speak Spanish like a native. Although Spanish is only taught as a foreign language at the Firs we are very impressed with the competency of the 10/11-year olds. It is certainly sufficient for them to get involved in Spanish-speaking extra-curricular activities offered by the town hall such as football, cycling, gymnastics and also Scouts to name a few.
Where you live, how good are the facilities for children (shops, resturants, activities etc?)
Except for the beach there isn‘t much in the way of free outdoor playgrounds. There are, however, plenty of indoor activities on offer for children, especially from the age of 6 onwards. The town hall offers an incredible amount of extra-curricular activities and there are also private English-speaking clubs such as dancing, tennis, horse riding etc. There are also enough children’s shops around as well as child-friendly restaurants. In Spain, in general, children are welcome in restaurants and even bars.
Are there any particular activities, groups, classes etc for children in Javea that you would recommend?
My daughter attends a babes ballet and tap class with the Valerie Jean School of Dance at the L’Ancora Tennis Club in Javea. She loves it!
Are there any particular service providers (doctors, dentists, babysitters, tutors etc) for children that you would recommend?
We use the Euroclinica in Javea and are very happy with them.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Javea?
For us the advantages are that we’re a little freer in our lifestyle that we were in the UK. To the locals we’re just “another tourist”. The disadvantage is that unless you speak good Spanish you’re limited to English-speaking businesses and are just not quite part of the local community.
Is there anything that you think would improve childrens lives living in Javea?
I honestly can’t think of anything. The weather is mostly beautiful so they can play outside through most of the year, they have a pool and a beach close by all in a tranquil Mediterranean setting. I wish I’d grown up here!
What advice would you give anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Javea with children?
Just do it! Don’t be scared. If you plan well and get good advice there really is nothing to worry about. And it is all SO worth it!
What couldn’t you live without in Javea?
The sunshine!
What could you live without in Javea?
The cold winter months!
July 09
