Hola from Madrid!
It’s been two days since we officially started school, and so far it has been amazing. Firstly, I’ve been getting used to Madrid itself, and I can say there are a few key “culture shocks” I have experienced:
- Meal times are late! Typical breakfast can be at 10-11, lunch in between 2-4, and dinner anywhere from 8-11.
- Madrid is famous for its nightlife and bustling streets 24/7, hence the “city that never sleeps”.
- My favorite: the tapas and drinking culture. It’s common to go out, get a beer (that’s cheaper than water), and order a few “tapas” to share with your friends.
As for school, there are more similarities than differences from what I have experienced so far! Classes are typically 2x a week per subject, 1.5 hours per class, and students find themselves in the café/cafeteria or outside socializing with others during breaks between classes. For me, the best part has been meeting people from other countries. Many of my classmates are from Italy, Ireland, Morocco, Germany, as well as many others. There are a ton of other American exchange students as well!
Emphasis on exams are heavy here, so there is less “busy work” and homework and instead, final exams are the biggest portion of your final grade. Though I have only just started my official semester abroad, I can’t wait to experience more and successfully complete my semester abroad.