This semester, I am studying at the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija in Madrid as part of my Global Management Major and Corporate/Community Relations Certificate at the University of Pittsburgh. I am taking International Management, Sports Industry and Its Role in European Culture, Women’s Roles in Modern Day Spain, and a Spanish Language class. I think that being in Madrid adds another layer to everything that we learn, since we are thinking from another culture’s perspective. There are a lot of other students from the United States in my classes, and my professors have been making a point to compare statistics from Madrid to those from the United States, which has been thought-provoking.
One of the biggest differences that I’ve noticed is how discussion-based and globally focused the classes are, which is extremely insightful for my major and career path. Although the majority of my peers are from various parts of the United States, there are also students from other areas of the world, so our conversations include a variety of perspectives. This learning environment is a lot different than what I’m used to, especially given that we aren’t allowed to use any technology in any class and take all hand-written notes. The classrooms require strong communication skills, adaptability, and respect for new ideas. I’ve noticed that it’s important to always be listening carefully, especially when classes are taught completely in Spanish. It’s also important to be comfortable participating, even if you aren’t sure your answer is correct.
Another non-negotiable skill in this academic environment is independence. Professors expect students to manage all of their own time and assignments and take full ownership of their learning. Compared to Pitt, there are little to no reminders of any assignments or readings, and students have to stay proactive about each class and their expectations.
The academic culture feels more relaxed while in class, but still serious in terms of personal expectations. Classes don’t last very long, and I feel as though I have a strong balance between academics and my personal life. I also think that professors have done a great job of making sure that our education doesn’t feel separate from Madrid, and rather feels like the class was built around the city itself. For example, all of my classes, no matter the subject, always reference local shops, sports teams, cultural differences, and historical events. In my Sports Industry and Its Role in European Culture class, we even went on a walking tour during class that highlighted key locations that shape sports culture, and later on in the semester, we will be touring the Real Madrid stadium.
Overall, studying in Madrid has given me the opportunity to learn in a new way and develop new skills that reach beyond just academics. I feel stronger about my cultural awareness, willingness to participate in class, and adaptability. From the global management perspective, this opportunity has shown me how business and education can operate on a global perspective, and has given me skills that will be useful for my future career.