As I grow more comfortable in my new environment, I’ve started to realize just how quickly time is flying. It feels like I’ve been working at Yugo for a month already. My coworkers have been incredibly welcoming and inclusive, which has helped me build strong relationships early on. I’m definitely settling into a routine and finding myself comfortable in my new work environment.
This week, I had the privilege of attending a Flamenco show through EUSA, my program’s home base. We spent an hour learning how to dance Flamenco, and later we got to watch a performance at the same theater. After an hour of lessons, I can confidently say I’m ready to dance Flamenco… alone, in my room, with the door closed. Flamenco is very natural-looking and peaceful, and it was refreshing to see a live performance. It added a little stress relief to an otherwise busy day.
On Sunday, we visited El Rastro, which is essentially an artisan market, but amplified to take over multiple neighborhoods in the city. We arrived around 10 a.m. and left at 1, yet we still only managed to explore maybe a fourth of it. The market seemed endless, and the streets were packed with people the entire time. We definitely spent a little too much money, but I couldn’t pass anything up. I can’t wait to go back another weekend and explore the stalls we missed.
Living with a host family has been a bit of a challenge for me. They’re incredibly kind and generous. They always remind me that their house is my house. But it still feels strange to go through someone else’s fridge or pantry. I’m so grateful for how hospitable they’ve been, but part of my brain still feels like I’m intruding. Thankfully, my friends here in Madrid are also in homestays, so we’ve been able to compare and laugh about the little cultural adjustments. I’ve found myself Googling things like “Is it socially acceptable to eat dinner in PJs in Spain?” and “What time do most Spaniards shower?” (In case you’re curious: yes, it’s fine to eat dinner in pajamas at home, and no, there’s no universal shower time. These have been confirmed both by Google and real-life research.)
At my internship, things are super laid back. There’s not a huge rush to complete tasks, which has actually helped me focus on doing things efficiently rather than just quickly, especially since I’m often working in coordination with other team members. In this relaxed but communicative environment, I feel less stressed and more capable. I have a few recurring daily responsibilities, which I normally knock out in the first hour of my day. After that, I return to the main office and usually shadow my boss for a while, helping with maintenance requests and room allocations. I then move on to front desk and secretarial tasks. I’m now at a point where I can help residents confidently and independently!
My favorite part of the workday is lunch. We all go to the cafeteria together and talk about anything and everything. My coworkers are so open about their lives and genuinely curious about mine. One maintenance coworker is especially fascinated by how I pronounce things. He’s asked me to say “Terminator” (his favorite movie), “Toyota,” “Mike Tyson,” and “McDonald’s,” just to hear the American version. I think he asked me to say “Terminator” four times in one afternoon. Lunch is a time where I get to practice my Spanish, learn more about Spanish culture, and also gain insight into how people here perceive the U.S. I’m starting to get to know everyone better and realizing how lucky I am to be working with such a fun, friendly team.
Also in the past week, I started to plan weekend and day trips! I am super excited to go to Valencia in two weeks. I also bought tickets to the Mad Cool festival here in Madrid. I purchased a one-day ticket to see one of my favorite bands play. This has helped to get the ball rolling, I will be purchasing more tickets and trains during this week as well! I have loved exploring Madrid these past two weeks, and I can’t wait to see more of Madrid, but also Spain!
Correction on what was said last week:
Last week, I thought I had mastered the metro; this week proved otherwise. I somehow manage to get turned around, lost, or confused at least once a day. I think I left my sense of direction somewhere back in the United States.