Six Weeks in Madrid

As I write my last blog, I feel an immense amount of gratitude for having the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. From unexpected events to many rewarding experiences, it truly has been a story for the books. I have compiled some of my favorite memories from Spain, and I hope this blog encourages others to study abroad as well! 

Cards Nights with Friends

Some of my favorite moments were card nights. When we did not have much homework or nothing planned, my friends and I would host card nights. We would sit in the common area and eat snacks while we played. Initially, I was not a big fan of cards-partly because I don’t know much about them- but by the end of my trip, it became one of my favorite experiences. Those nights were filled with laughter and good times. 

Three-Day Trip to Barcelona

Ever since I decided to study abroad in Madrid, I had also hoped to visit Barcelona in my spare time. So when a few friends of mine and I had a three-day weekend, we decided to go. That trip was one of the best trips I have ever taken. Not only did I see some breathtaking architecture like the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló, but also had the chance to eat some of the best food. Since Barcelona is coastal, I had some of the best salmon I ever tasted there. Although it was relatively pricey, I had the best- and the creamiest- pistachio ice cream in Barcelona. Besides the food, I was able to connect more deeply with my friends and learn more about them. It was truly one of my favorite experiences in Spain. 

Final Exam Day 

My final exam day was an adventurous one, to say the least. My finals were scheduled for the day before I was set to return home, so I had to pack and study at the same time. I had done everything I could to prepare for my exam, but nothing could have prepared me for what actually happened. 

My commute to my campus usually took 30-minutes, but since it was an exam day, my friends and I left 15-minutes earlier to give ourselves extra time. Everything was normal until the train suddenly stopped. We were stuck for 10-minutes due to technical difficulties. 

When we reached our stop, we had only 5-minutes until the exam started- but the walk from the metro stop to campus takes about 10-minutes. So, we ran all the way to campus. 

Although running to exams is not typically considered fun, in that moment, instead of anxiety, I felt joy. I felt happy that I was with my friends running to our exams together. At the same time, I also felt a little sad, realizing that my journey was coming to an end. However, I was also excited to go home and see my family. That bittersweet moment reminded me that studying abroad is not only about the places, but also about the people, the surprises and the memories that stay with you.