Holiday Availability: All IES Abroad offices will be closed on Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31, and Jan 1 as we take some time to celebrate. During the weeks of 12/22 and 12/29, our team will be smaller, so responses may take longer than usual. Thanks for your understanding—and happy holidays!
Bariloche, nestled in the Argentine Patagonia, is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. It was also the destination of choice for my recent weekend escape with friends, and the experience was amaaazing. From skiing on pristine slopes to hiking Cerro Otto and making new local friends, this trip had it all!
Day 1: Conquering the Slopes
During my first couple of days in Madrid I was struck by how inescapably pretty the city is. Even the darker and smaller side streets and alleys are endeared with that quaint European feel and aesthetic. Many parts of the center of the city have winding and sloping stone paths jutting out in any direction they please—much unlike the grid-like road patterns I’m used to in the United States. There are also many “pedestrian roads,” containing a small lane for motor vehicles, but large sidewalks for pedestrians on either side.
Well, after a solid three weeks in Berlin, there’s one thing on my mind: my feet are killing me! I’ve been so excited to explore that I’ve ended up walking ridiculous amounts every day as I check out all the amazing corners of the city. After meandering through museums, parks, and beautiful streets, I certainly feel like I am getting my bearings.
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Things I’ve Learned 2 Weeks into Study Abroad:
It sounds cheesy I know but going into this experience I was (still am!) a major planner. I really didn’t do well when something didn’t go exactly as I had imagined it. So far, that has been my biggest lesson. Not everything that you plan or do is going to be exactly as you had imagined. In fact, it’s probably good that it doesn’t go perfectly.
During a break I had before classes started, I planned a long trip to Switzerland for 5 days. There were definitely cheaper options, but Switzerland was the No.1 destination on my travel list, and I was determined to take this opportunity.
Getting to Madrid:
Beams of bright sunshine illuminated my room in a similar manner to a gentle alarm clock beeping softly letting me know that I had a great day ahead of me.
Once I had gotten up, I took the U-Bahn to our meeting point where all of the enthused IES Abroad students congregated: the Schönbrunn Parking lot.
It was about an hour-long bus ride from Schönbrunn to Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery operating since 1089. What I found to be most fascinating about the monastery was the Baroque influence on the abbey.
Weeks 1 and 2 in Buenos Aires have been nothing short of magical. On the first day that we arrived, we unpacked, got to know our homestay apartment and host, and got to know the neighborhoods we were living in. The second day consisted of a comprehensive orientation from IES Abroad about safety, living in Buenos Aires, the program itself, and what we were to expect. Lastly, we got to finalize our class schedules and meet our cohort.
Ciao! The past two weeks have been crazy busy with orientation and our first week of classes. Although my first few days abroad were jam-packed with orientation and tours, it was incredibly important for me to explore the neighborhood I’m living in and around the IES Abroad center. Getting to know the streets and the shops brought me peace of mind when I realized just how much I had forgotten back home.