Upon arriving in Madrid in early January, I will never forget driving in and seeing the sun rise on the beautiful city that I would get to call home for the next five months. It was then that I truly felt I had a whole life ahead of me to live, and to experience something as incredible as living in a country like Spain.
The city itself is one of the most vibrant, incredible cities I have ever has the pleasure of getting to experience, let alone live in. There is ALWAYS something going on, whether it is the vendors on the streets and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, or simply just going to get chocolate and churros at the famous San Gines.
UC3M itself was around a 45 minute metro ride from the apartment that I stayed at in Sol, and although it was farther out, it was peaceful to spend that time on the metro in the morning and getting to look out the window at all of the beauty that Madrid has to offer. The professors there are super kind, and always willing to lend a helpful hand and even if they can’t directly help you, they will point you in the direction of someone who can.
There are certainly several differences between American and Spanish culture, and I think that was what made me appreciate the city so much. Just walking outside on any given day and seeing so many people on the Gran Via, or in Retiro park is something that I will always remember for the rest of my life. The socializing aspect and how everyone just seems to be so high spirited is something I will also always appreciate and remember.