ABOUT DANI
Hi there, I’m Dani! I’m a thirty-something American writer and mother who calls southern Spain home. My love affair with Spain officially began in 2011 with my study abroad semester in Alicante. It then continued after graduation when I returned for a teach-in-Spain program through CIEE to work as an auxiliar de conversación y cultura in Granada. I spent that year working as an assistant in the bilingual classes at an elementary school, giving private lessons, and exploring España in my free time.
In the years that followed, I continued to find joy living abroad. There was one year in which I tried out teaching in Costa Rica, but it only confirmed that Spain had my heart. Since that time, I’ve switched from working as an auxiliar to a private language school teacher to an online teacher and finally to an author. Despite being a Sociology and Hispanic Studies double major who had no intentions of teaching English long-term, I take great pride in the work I’ve done as an educator.
Even so, claiming ‘author’ as my job title has always been my dream. Since embarking on full-time authorship in 2020, I’ve written two collections of short stories, Fairly Familiar and Snapshots of Spain, and my debut women’s fiction novel, Most Unlikely. If you’re interested in learning more about my author journey, please check out my personal website and Instagram account.
In 2023, I took on my biggest identity shift to date–motherhood–and it sure has turned my world upside down! If I’m being honest, I still don’t feel fully adjusted to this important role. Although I couldn’t ask for a more perfect little one, becoming a family of three far away from the support of our own families has been incredibly challenging. Most of my time and energy these days goes into my role as ‘Mama’ (rather than as an author or blogger), and redefining myself in this new life stage is an ongoing process.
Through these many versions of myself, the intention to lead a thriving, balanced life here in Spain is ongoing. I’m excited to continue taking you along on the journey and I’m so grateful to have this blog as a bit of a time capsule, through which I can share my hard-earned wisdom from each previous phase with you.
I hope you will find the answers and advice you need here at Sincerely, Spain. But, perhaps more importantly, I hope you find a sense of belonging and companionship, knowing that others are going through the same things as you. I look forward to hearing more about you and your experience. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with whatever questions you may have!