What did your provider do for you and what did you need to do on your own?
Sophie: IES provided us with numerous tips and packing lists for pre-trip planning. Upon arrival, at least 3 faculty members greeted us at the airport. I was specifically greeted by my new Spanish roommate who helped me navigate the trip from the airport to our flat.
Our first week in country, IES staff provided us with university orientation and a neighborhood tour. Throughout the course of the program we were encouraged by staffers to participate in a range of extra curricular programs. One of my favorite parts about my IES summer program was the number of built-in weekend trips we took as a group. These trips were organized and led by IES staff and involved traveling to a number of cities such as Segovia and Valencia and exploring the historical and gastronomic culture of the regions.
If you could do-over one thing, what would it be?
Sophie: If I had one do-over I would probably try to befriend a Spanish student at our university in Madrid. While I really enjoyed sharing an apartment with a young Spanish woman, she had her own life to lead and was separate from us whenever we were at the university.
While not in class, I spent the majority of my time with fellow Americans in my program. My down time before and after classes could have been better spent trying to make contact with a Spanish student. Doing this might've given me the opportunity to speak more Spanish, see more of Madrid from the eyes of a local, and develop a unique, global friendship.
Did you run into a language barrier? Did you ever think you knew more/less of the language?
Sophie: When I first arrived in Madrid I was initially overwhelmed with keeping up with the fast-paced conversations all around me. There were many times when I needed someone to repeat or clarify what they had said. I was definitely not one of the strongest speakers in my group but I could usually get the gist of a conversation. Taking a few semesters of college-level Spanish before the trip was really helpful.
I was lucky enough to live in an apartment with a young Spanish woman and a fellow American student. The woman spoke rapidly and with a thick Spanish accent which was hard to get used to at first, but she was very considerate and patient with me. Formulating my own sentences consistently and with few errors was the hard part. You just have to try and try again. The longer you're in-country the easier it gets.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Sophie: While I had done some short-term travel before my time in Madrid, the experience of really living in a foreign country was incredibly informative, inspiring, and motivating; it allowed me to challenge myself, broaden my horizons, and become a more informed global citizen. I caught the travel bug bad and, in July of 2014 I left for a 3-month solo backpacking trip through Europe.
I surely wouldn't have been brave enough or confident enough to embark on that trip if I hadn't studied abroad. My experience in Madrid allowed me to realize that I wanted to incorporate travel as a constant in my both my personal and professional life. I've even applied for graduate school abroad, a decision which was absolutely influenced by my experience in Madrid.
What was the best place you visited outside of your home-base city?
Sophie: While I was able to visit a handful of cities outside of Madrid, including Barcelona, my favorite (by far) was Granada. One of the benefits of my program was the fact that our workload and scheduling allowed for ample time to travel in and around Spain. Granada wasn't included in our program itinerary so a few friends and I decided to spend a free weekend exploring the city. It is incredibly popular among tourists, for good reason.
Granada has a great combination of natural beauty, historical monuments, and vibrant urban energy. It is an incredibly gorgeous place with such a rich history. From visiting the famous gardens to seeing live Flamenco and eating delicious food, it was such a fun and unique experience that stays with me to this day.