Howdy y’all! My name is Madeleine Privitt and I’m a senior Management major from Jarrell, TX and this is my first encounter with Spain. Arriving at the airport I had such a pit in my stomach. I was nervous and excited all at the same time, looking forward to put myself out there but also felt so nervous to be away from home in a completely different environment. Oh was I so wrong! The people I get to live with for the next five weeks and the Spanish culture I’ve seen in the last four days have been absolutely incredible. Since I arrived I got to go see the most beautiful Cathedral of Sagrada Familia, was able to swim in the Mediterranean, see local Spaniards celebrate Italy win the Euro Cup, and figure out how to check-out at the grocery store.
The habits and life of the people in Spain are honestly very refreshing. Walking to the metro and eating such light fresh meals, along with the fantastic coffee addiction of the whole country makes me want to live here forever. I adore the fashion sense and the endless symmetrical square blocks of old architecture and steel balconies. Finding my way around the different sectors of the city and learning to read the metro signs makes me envy the regular everyday life of the locals. Drying laundry on the line off our balcony and cooking breakfast for our house, all of it makes me feel like I’m living a fairy tale.
I can’t express how excited I am to continue this journey with my classmates and roommates. So far Spanish culture has beyond amazed me: the people, the places, and the food! It’s just a dream and I hope I never wake up. Let the adventures begin!