If I was offered a chance to move to Spain for work after a few years of building my career in the United States, I would spend a lot of time thinking about what that would mean for both my job and my personal life. Spain does not operate the same way the United States does, especially in the workplace. One of the first differences that shows up in the research is the stronger sense of hierarchy. According to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, Spain scores higher on power distance, which suggests people are more comfortable with a clear chain of command and formal decision making. That would change how conversations take place at work since titles and roles carry more weight.
Another major shift would involve relationships. Spain leans in a more collectivist direction compared to the very individualistic culture of the United States. Cooperation, group loyalty, and shared social time matter a great deal. What stood out to me is that meals and breaks are treated as real moments to talk and connect, not just a quick bite between tasks. This matches what we learned in class about the importance of cultural awareness when working abroad. Success on an international assignment is not only about technical skill. It also depends on building local trust.
Spain also prefers planned routines and predictable structure, which fits its higher uncertainty avoidance reported in our course materials. That could feel very different from the flexible and fast moving style I am used to, but it might also bring some stability.
If the position offered room to grow and came with support for housing, language learning, and travel, I would be open to taking it. The idea of living somewhere that values community, conversation, and work life balance is appealing. A move like that could expand my career while offering a richer experience outside of work.
Works Cited:
Hofstede Insights. “Country Comparison: Spain, United States.” https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/spain,the-usa/
Lecture Notes, Week 8. International HRM and Cultural Dimensions. Oregon State University.