It’s been about two weeks since I finished up the program and left Madrid, and I know I’ve said it before, but the experience was truly a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience. At the very beginning, I remember being terrified, struggling with adjusting to a new language, new place, new habits, etc. My host family was nothing but welcoming, but still, having to adjust to a new families lifestyle and habits took a bit of time for me. I came in, and was immediately overwhelmed with all the changes, worried if I was going to be able to make the most out of the experience as I had hoped before coming. 

But, over time, I found myself making friends, using the language a lot more, and finding a comfortability in the new routine that I had developed for myself. The initial fears gradually faded as I began to embrace the culture and lifestyle of Madrid. 

I was very fortunate to also get the ability to travel outside of Madrid on some weekends, and see some of the other culture in Spain. I got to compare the culture in different parts, and also experience all the different things Spain as a whole has to offer. For example, I got to try famous Paella in Valencia, where it is most famous. It was fascinating getting to see how the Paella is prepared in one big dish for the entire table. In San Sebastian, I was mesmerized by the beautiful, pristine beaches, and the unique pintxos. I was able to learn about the history of Málaga and the Alcazaba fortress, and marvel at the views from the top of the fortress. Finally, of course, I was able to experience the work-life balance of Madrid. 

I have definitely seen some significant growth in myself academically and professionally, but most of all personally. I think my time in Madrid has given me a lot of time to reflect, but more than that, I have gained social skills from having to navigate communication in a foreign country and with strangers. Stepping out of my comfort zone has allowed me to gain confidence in new situations and has therefore really helped me develop personally. Professionally, I have a completely new set of skills as I was learning how to engineer different prompts in order to achieve the results I wanted to with artificial intelligence. Academically, my Spanish has significantly improved, especially in terms of colloquial speaking. I’ve picked up several phrases and words that are very commonly used in Spain, which I think adds a level of authenticity to my speaking. 

At Pitt, I plan to engage more in Spanish classes with my new Spanish knowledge, including some of the more colloquial phrases that I have learned. I would like to participate in some Spanish-speaking clubs or events also in order to continue to practice Spanish. 

I also think that after experiencing a somewhat different workplace culture and a different leadership style, I would like to step into more leadership roles in student organizations. I also think some of the newfound confidence with help me to mentor other students who will be having similar experiences. 

In an academic aspect, I would like to integrate my AI skills into my coursework and research projects, hoping to learn more about artificial intelligence and machine learning, and potentially pursue advanced degrees in a related field. Finally, I think this experience will help me find a healthy balance between academics, extracurricular activities, and personal time in order to ensure overall well-being. 

In a career aspect, I hope to embrace diversity in the workplace, and become more open to working in international settings. I think the experience will also ensure effective communication and collaboration with future colleagues from different backgrounds. The language skills that I’ve developed will help me further work in international business or diplomacy, also potentially allowing me to take on roles that require bilingual proficiency. As I mentioned before, I could potentially pursue further degrees in engineering, tech, or artificial intelligence. I could pursue a career in these fields, potentially utilizing my AI prompt engineering skills. I could also advocate for a balanced work-life culture in my future workplace, based on my understanding and experience learning about the importance of downtime for productivity and mental health. 

Overall, I think the takeaways from my time in Madrid will enhance my experience at Pitt, but also set a solid, well-rounded perspective and skill set for my future career in the professional world.