Returning to Madrid #HogsAbroad in Spain #TravelTuesday

Hola! My name is Danni DeLozier. I’m a senior who is majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Spanish. Last year, I participated in the faculty-led summer program in Madrid, Spain, and am now blogging again as I just finished my study abroad trip in Madrid again this fall. It has officially been 2 weeks since I returned to the U.S. and I am missing my city dearly. I spent a total of 6 months in Madrid in 2018 and can confidently say I will be returning for a third time.

I have made so many memories in such a short period of time and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to return to Madrid. I have honestly never felt so at home anywhere else. During my time abroad, I traveled to many cities in and outside of Spain. In total, I went to 12 different cities in Spain and 8 cities in other countries (Paris, Amsterdam, London, Munich, etc.). During my travels, I made many friends from all over the world and had the chance to visit their cities with them. It is nice to visit an unfamiliar city with locals to show you around!

As far as school, I took all courses in Spanish while in Madrid. I feel very confident in my Spanish after studying for 2 months in a language school and for 4 months in the university. Of course I have had many Spanish courses over the years, but my conversation skills definitely improved while I worked on my conversational skills in and outside of the classroom. I think the most helpful way to practice was speaking with my host mom at dinner every night. She would always just ask about my day and what plans I had for the week, things like that. We could talk for hours about anything and that is what really gave me a confidence boost in my language skills.

Now, being back home with my family, I am very happy to see everyone, but my heart is aching to return to Madrid. As I write this blog, I am also working on my application to teach English in Madrid starting in September! I graduate in May and after that, I plan to work all summer so that I can save up enough money to move back to my favorite place in the world. I will cherish all of the friendships and memories I have made over the last 6 months, and I will never forget how this experience helped me grow into the person I want to be.

Nos vemos pronto, Madrid!

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Criminal Justice, Sociology & Spanish major Danni DeLozier studied abroad in summer 2017 with our U of A Faculty-Led: Spanish in Madrid. She also spent the fall 2018 semester in Spain with through our U of A Exchange program at Universidad Nebrija, Madrid with the help of our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.

Don't miss your opportunity to study or intern abroad! Start your search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/