Hear How Our US College Students Live And Learn In Madrid

Among Europe’s iconic destinations for study abroad students, Madrid stands out as a city where history, largely and culture combine for a memorable immersive experience. It’s a bustling, cosmopolitan capital city, but the warmth shown by locals immediately stood out to Anna: “I wasn’t expecting it to be so centered about community. It’s really awesome to see how close people are with each other here.”

She especially loved experiencing sobremesa—the leisurely time locals spend talking around the table after sharing meals. “It’s really fun - we don’t really have a lot of that in the US.” (Here at Expanish Madrid, we get it. Who doesn't love a good sobremesa?) 

It's often these simple moments and everyday routines that can turn into meaningful cultural experiences when you’re studying abroad. Chris, who is majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Spanish, says he found Madrileños to be friendly and open to engaging with new people, making it easy to connect, even with strangers. “Even if it’s just random conversations, you get to talk to people that honestly you wouldn't really talk to if you're walking around the United States. It’s fun being around people who seem to just enjoy each other’s presence."

A city of art and inspiration

Kirsten, a Marine Science and Spanish student on her first visit to Europe, was instantly captivated by the architecture and energy of the city: “There was just so much to take in… but now I’ve become really familiar with the parts of Madrid that I visit regularly. It kind of feels like I’ve made my own little place in such a big city.”

As an avid art lover, Kirsten found visiting the Prado Museum a defining experience. “Seeing all those [artworks] in person was just kind of life-changing,” she says. The ability to get up close and personal with masterpieces that she had previously only seen online or in books gave her a deeper appreciation for art and history.

Living and studying abroad naturally builds personal skills and independence. Anna reflects that her time in Madrid has made her “feel more confident about myself and gives me a new perspective about the world.” Language learning through full immersion is another major benefit. Kirsten says, “I’ve learned so much and I feel like my comprehension of Spanish has just gone up like crazy.”

Advice for other curious students

All of our student interviewees share one strong recommendation: take the leap and study abroad if you can.

“Just go for it,” Anna says. “It’s been one of the best experiences so far for me… I don’t think you’ll regret it ever.” Kirsten shares the same sentiment: “I was hesitant, but every adult or professor I talked to who had - or had not - done it said that is was either one of the most unforgettable experiences of their life or the one thing they regret most not doing… Having come here, I can agree. I would’ve missed out on so much if I didn’t. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for sure.”

Chris also admits he wasn’t sure at first, but is clear now he's spent some time here: “Go for it! I didn’t really know if it was something I would enjoy or that I could even do. But there’s a lot of opportunity with scholarships as well, so I'd say just go for it.”