Madrid, and Europe in general, was a great place to explore and travel if you’re new to being abroad. With Europe being a touristy place, there were almost always people who spoke English. My friends and I traveled to about 13 different countries and stayed in hostels everywhere we went meeting people with all different backgrounds, stories and perspectives.
Studying abroad in Madrid taught me the value of a more relaxed approach to life and work. Europeans prioritize a balanced lifestyle where they aren’t rushing to join the workforce. This experience highlighted the importance of pursuing passions and finding joy outside of a career. Students should remember that work isn’t everything and should strive to cultivate a fulfilling life alongside their professional aspirations. Students nowadays are ambitious to find the best entry-level job for a big four firm and jump right into working 40-hour weeks in a cubicle. What Europe has taught me, is that working isn’t everything, and that it should be something that compliments and supports your outside passions.
My roommates in Madrid echoed this concept as I learned that for many of them, this was their second or third time doing a study abroad. And a couple of them plan to do even more traveling and studying abroad after finishing their Spring semester. It amazes me how much they prioritize traveling and are content with pushing their start time of joining the working class. While working is definitely important to support whatever lifestyle you want, you shouldn’t stress or overwhelm yourself to start right away.