One of the things I love about Valencia is that every neighbourhood has its own personality. Some are busy and full of cafés, others are quieter and more residential, and some feel like little villages even though you're still in the city.

By the time Fallas is over you'll probably be exhausted. Your clothes will smell faintly of smoke, you'll have walked miles around the city, and you'll be looking forward to a good night's sleep. But if you ever get the chance to experience it while living in Spain, don't miss it.

No matter how much you prepare before arriving in Spain, there are some things you only learn once you're actually standing in front of a class of 25 students who are all looking at you.

Unlike a traditional teaching job, the assistant position comes with a long summer break and, for many of us, no salary during those months. While this can seem daunting at first, I've discovered that there are several ways to make the most of this time, both financially and personally.