It is hard to believe my time in Madrid is almost over. I just had my last weekend here, and I only have a few days left at my internship with Latroupe. When I first arrived, everything felt new and unfamiliar. Now I know the streets, the routines, and the people. The city that once felt big and overwhelming now feels familiar and comfortable.

I am definitely sad to leave. At the same time, I am also looking forward to going home and seeing my family. I have missed them, and I am excited to share everything I have experienced here. Until then, I am doing my best to make the most of my final days. I am revisiting my favorite spots, taking long walks through the city, and spending time with the friends I have made here.

Throughout the past few weeks, I have learned a lot about how communication works in Spain, especially in the workplace. In class, we talked about how different cultures fall somewhere on a scale between low-context and high-context communication. Low-context communication, which is common in the United States, tends to be more direct. People say what they mean clearly and expect others to do the same. High-context communication, which is more common in Spain, relies more on tone, context, and shared understanding.

At work, I noticed that people often start conversations with small talk. It is normal to ask how someone is doing or to talk about weekend plans before getting into work topics. That kind of conversation builds relationships and helps the workplace feel more personal. At first, I was not sure how important it was, but I quickly saw that it is a big part of how people connect here.

I also noticed that feedback can be less direct. Instead of saying something is wrong, people might suggest a different approach or mention another way to look at things. One time, my supervisor gave feedback on a chart I made by saying it might be better shown another way. At first, I was not sure what they meant, but I realized they were gently suggesting a change. I have gotten better at picking up on these cues and responding in a thoughtful way.

I have not experienced any major miscommunications during my internship, which I am grateful for. I think being open to learning and asking questions has helped a lot. Still, there were small moments when I misunderstood what was expected. For example, I was once asked to look over a “simple” report, and I assumed it would be a quick task. It ended up being several pages of detailed information. That moment taught me to clarify expectations and double-check if I am unsure about something.

I have also learned that tone and body language play a big role in how messages are received. People in Madrid can speak with a lot of energy and emotion, which can seem intense at first. Early on, I thought someone was upset during a meeting, but I realized they were just passionate about what they were saying. That helped me understand the difference between tone and intention in conversations.

Because Latroupe has locations across Europe, some of my work has involved remote communication with team members in other cities. This hybrid setup has been a good learning experience. I have learned how important it is to be clear and concise in emails and messages. Since we are not always meeting in person, writing in a way that is easy to follow has become even more important.

I have also seen that people here keep a more casual tone in professional messages. Emails usually start with a friendly greeting and sometimes include a short personal comment before getting to the main point. I have come to appreciate that style because it makes the workplace feel more approachable and collaborative.

Now that my time in Madrid is coming to an end, I can see how much I have learned in a short period of time. I have grown more comfortable in a different culture, adapted to a new way of working, and become a better communicator. I have also built relationships with both coworkers and other students in my program, which made this experience even more meaningful.

Even though I am ready to head home, I know I will miss this place. Madrid has taught me a lot, not just through work, but through everyday life. I feel more confident about working in international environments and more aware of how culture shapes the way we communicate.

This last week, I will keep things simple. Spend time with friends. Enjoy the city. And be proud of everything I have experienced here.