The Spanish creator Mariona Falomí Silla (@marionafalomi) has gone viral on TikTok after explaining why she decided to leave Spain and move to the United States. In her video, she gives an ironic response to those who ask her why she left "if she was going to earn the same." Her explanation, honest and straightforward, has sparked a debate among Spaniards and Latinos about opportunities and quality of life in both countries.
"In Spain, I earned 1,200 dollars as a television journalist," he explains. "I lived in a shared apartment, an interior one, without air conditioning, and I paid 700 a month. Between gas, mobile phone, food, and some social outings, I had nothing left. In contrast, here I earned 1,000 dollars as an au pair, but with my car, gas, housing, and food covered."
For her, the difference isn't in the salary, but in the ability to save and feel independent. “In Spain, I didn’t save a single euro; here, I save between 800 and 850 a month. I have saved what would have taken me five years in Spain”, she says. “The worst part is that in Madrid, my parents had to help me. Here, I support myself.”
The phrase that has generated the most discussion doesn't appear in the video, but in the comments, when Mariona responds to a follower who supports her: “Spain is for complacent people, not for me. I have aspirations that are too high.” Many applauded her mentality, while others criticized her for comparing such different realities. “The world is full of Spaniards, we are the new Cubans or Venezuelans,” wrote one user, to which she replied: “Literally.”
Among the thousands of comments, several shared their experiences. “I also left and in one year I saved what I couldn’t save in 15 years in Spain,” said an internet user. Another summed up what many feel: “Spain is not a country for young people who want to progress.”
Mariona, however, is quite clear about it. "I didn't come to get rich; I came to grow, learn English, and live peacefully. Here, I feel I can do that," she said. Her story reflects that of a generation seeking outside what they feel their own country can no longer offer.
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