I am now 2 weeks in my program in Madrid, Spain and I couldn’t be happier! I applied to this program only knowing one person, my friend Meredith. We were both nervous coming into our living situation since we were paired with two random girls from California. Since Meredith and I are both from the east cost we were curious and anxious to be living with girls from the west coast. However, the second we met out roommates we knew we got lucky. My roommates, Zoe and Sienna, go to UCAL Berkley and are both from LA. They love the same things I love and couldn’t be better roommates. We live in a four person apartment with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The apartment is huge! We have a big living room with a nice TV, a balcony, and a full kitchen. Although it is big, the apartment is very old. Our couches and drapes are all bright colored with patterns that just don’t match but this is the norm for Spanish houses.

We are studying at the Universidad de Nebrija. We live about a 15 minute walk to campus which is about the same as my house in Pittsburgh! The Metro is great in Madrid, we use it almost everyday, however we walk to class because it is that close. Starting school in a different country was probably the biggest culture shock I have experienced since being here. The biggest thing that I have noticed is that Spanish schools are not as efficient as American school. It was very hard for me to find my classes on the first day of school because the only way to see what classroom you are in is on a piece of paper posted on a cork board. When I realized that I wanted to change one of my classes, I had to meet with someone who told me there was a waitlist and to add my to a piece of paper. I couldn’t do anything online, it was all in person. However, after the first week I finally figured everything out and I love it now. I love my teachers and everyone in my classes. I am taking two art classes, a sports management class, and a cinema class. All my classes are in english with study abroad students from all over America. They also focus a lot of attention on attendance and participation. Participation is worth 30 points which is a lot more than it is in America.

All in all, my experience so far is great and I can’t wait to see what else Madrid has to offer!