I landed in Madrid, Spain, a little over a month ago to embark on a semester abroad. However, my abroad experience isn’t the most typical one. I am fortunate because my two older brothers already live in Madrid. We are very close, and they were happy I had decided to join them for a few months. I’ve visited them three times before during winter vacations. So, I’ve befriended some of my brother’s friends on past trips. Unlike many other students going abroad, I was fortunate to already have family and friends waiting for me. Arriving here felt like coming back to a different home.
This is not the first time I’ve gone abroad for a semester. In high school, when I was 16, I went to Costa Rica for five months. I stayed with a host family and attended the local high school. It was a very small town, with not a foreigner in sight. I stuck out like a sore thumb. It was a difficult experience to go abroad so young, without any family by my side. There were definite struggles, but to keep it brief, I decided I would never be an exchange student again. I don’t know what happened — somehow I ended up here again, but it’s very different this time. I’m with my family, in a big city full of international people and I live in my own apartment with one of my brothers and three other roommates. No host family for me — never again, that I do promise (there are lots of amazing host families out there, but after my personal experience, I am going to veto that). All of that to say: the decision to go abroad again came with some anxieties, nevertheless, knowing I had my brothers here comforted me.
Since arriving, things have been going smoothly for the most part. September was jam-packed. I completed two intensive Spanish classes and started my regular courses for the semester. I explored the city, made new friends, hung out at pools and bars, and went out to clubs (many a time). It has only been about a month, but I have done so much — and it has gone by too fast. The only hiccups have been losing my voice (it actually sounded really sexy and cool) and my power going out for a week. Thankfully, my voice is back and my power appears to be fixed. Big wins.Â
My university experience has been lovely so far. I’m taking one Spanish class and three English classes about Spain — the history, art, architecture, and overall culture. My campus is in the center of the city, which is ideal since it is a short walking distance from my apartment and I don’t have to take the metro. However, the metro system here is great and easy to understand, so taking it is not usually a bother!
The culture is quite different here, compared to the U.S. While some things are harder to adjust to, I find that I am enjoying familiarizing myself with the Spanish culture. I envy the women’s fashion; people are generally dressed up on the streets in streetwear, boho-chic, edgy, minimalistic, and more. Whatever it is, you can tell they put effort into what they wear (or at least it seems that way). The food is great in the city; I opt for kebab, sandwiches, or prepared food from Mercadona. I’m easily able to practice speaking Spanish — people are patient, even if I scramble to find the words. I enjoy living in a shared apartment (it’s common in Spain to rent out a room on a floor with a shared kitchen and bathroom). Most of all, I have loved building connections and befriending new people from all over the world. Exposing myself to new cultures is exactly what I wanted out of this experience.Â
While there are certain things I miss in Boulder, like my parents and friends, I’m quite happy to be here. I’m already dreading the day I have to go back, but I’m trying just to soak up the time I have here and not take it for granted. I feel very lucky to be living in such a beautiful city, at least for a little while.Â