I traveled with my family all over the continental United States during my childhood, and it imbued me with a deep love of experiencing other cultures. I always knew I wanted to travel abroad, but my experience in Madrid was more than I could have ever anticipated. 

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My initial motivation for traveling to Spain was to practice my Spanish-speaking skills in a real-world setting. Upon my arrival to Madrid, I realized that I would have to rely on my knowledge of the language in order to use transportation services like Uber and the metro. Although I was terrified initially, I gradually became more comfortable speaking to the clerk at the grocery store and the doctor at the pharmacy. I knew I had to overcome my fears​ of being humiliated or making mistakes in order to thrive in my new situation. Of course, my classes at Universidad de Nebrija helped tremendously. These classes emphasized speaking Spanish in an academic context as well as outside the classroom- we even had to take surveys of people on the street as part of a project to develop our abilities. Although I started off as an intimidated American student, my everyday experiences ultimately strengthened my abilities and confidence. 

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In addition to my language skills, I experienced various cultural enrichment opportunities. The university organized trips to surrounding cities like​ Salamanca, Toledo, and Segovia with historical tours (in Spanish!) that focused on the architecture and traditions of each city. I was also lucky enough to visit famous cultural sites in Madrid with my school, such as El Plaza Mayor, El Palacio Real, Catedral de la Almudena, and El Museo del Prado. I especially loved visiting the art museums because I learned a great deal about Spanish art in one of my classes, which contextualized the paintings I saw. Touring these places allowed me to gain a foundational understanding of Spain's history of Catholicism and monarchy and completely altered the way I viewed the city as I explored it. This was a great departure from visiting the United States, a relatively new country, and I loved learning about the history of the buildings surrounding me. 

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One of the most important aspects of my time in Madrid was the independence it granted me. In the United States, I was always burdened with responsibilities and never had enough free time to pursue my interests. In Madrid, however, I was able to explore so many areas by myself. I frequently took walks to El Parque Retiro and listened to concerts there, or went out to buy food from multiple mercados.  I particularly loved the Ópera District and even bought tickets to attend a showing of Lucia di Lammermoor- by myself! This newfound independence also led me to take initiative with planning trips, as I ​​took it upon myself to plan visits to Barcelona, Paris, Milan, Florence, Pisa, and Rome.  Although it was a daunting prospect at first, I grew quite comfortable with walking, dining, and- in some cases- traveling by myself.

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That's not to say that my time abroad was lonely or isolating. I became close friends with a few of my roommates as we explored the city together. We would often watch ​Las Chicas del Cable on Netflix and choose new restaurants to try tortilla española. It turns out that eating at a restaurant in Spain is quite a communal occasion and often takes multiple hours. Waiters leave for 30 minutes at a time and food is consumed much more slowly than in America. ​This emphasis on slowing down and savoring the conversation provided a stark contrast to the fast-paced, hectic environment seen in most American restaurants. 

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I carried these experiences with me upon my return to the United States; n fact, I noticed I ate much slower than my family and would often think in Spanish before speaking. Overall, I believe the most important lesson I learned from my time in Spain was taking my time and enjoying my life. Whether it's eating, walking in the park, or spending time with loved ones, I have taken on the Spanish custom of living in the moment rather than worrying. My experience abroad was invaluable- not only were my language skills improved, but my self-confidence, independence, and mindfulness developed tremendously. ​I will always remember my experiences in Spain, and hope to return someday.