I’ve only been back for one day, and I already miss Madrid more than I expected. It’s strange how a place that felt so unfamiliar at first became somewhere I now think about and genuinely call home. When I first arrived, everything felt overwhelming, the weather, the trains, the nerves, but looking back, my initial impressions barely scratch the surface of what the experience ended up becoming. I wish I could go back and tell myself to embrace the uncertainty, because before I knew it, I was already wishing I could stay longer and relive those early days. I had no idea the next four months would be some of the most unbelievable of my life.
The people were the best part of this experience. The friends I made abroad became close so fast it almost doesn’t feel real. We went from strangers to planning reunions because the idea of not knowing the next time I’ll see them feels wrong. And the other A&M students, they became some of my favorite people. From traveling across Europe together to long nights just hanging out in our apartment, they made Madrid feel safe, warm, and familiar. I didn’t expect to build a family there, but I did.
And the city itself. I fell in love with it immediately, even when I was cold, lost, or confused. Madrid has this way of slowing you down without you noticing. People walk everywhere, they linger over meals, they spend time with each other without rushing to the next thing. The lifestyle, the food, the rhythm of the days, it all felt so full and intentional. I want to carry that with me forever. I want to keep living slower, softer, more present, the way Madrid taught me.
This experience changed me. I feel more confident in myself, in my voice, in my ability to figure things out even when I’m scared or unsure. I’ve never been so happy because of an experience and yet so sad to leave it behind. It’s bittersweet, knowing I grew so much, but also knowing I had to leave the life I built there. My initial impressions were honest, but they were small compared to what Madrid ended up meaning to me. I know I’ll be back soon. This experience was truly more than I could’ve ever imagined.
