Life in Madrid is different from life in Fayetteville of course, but the adjustment to a more urban setting was very easy for me. One huge help is the metro system in Madrid. The metro runs all around the city and can take you anywhere you need to go. It is very simple, clean, and safe. Within the first two days of living in Spain, I was navigating the metro and the city like a local! I was shocked by how easily I settled in to daily life once I got here. This is in huge part to the incredible kindness of the Spanish people. An integral part of Spanish culture is the focus on friendship and community. There were times where I was lost or confused and a total stranger came up to me and offered their help. This was surprising to me, as in many cultures, people tend to keep to themselves, but in Spain, it has been the people that I know the least who have helped me through some confusing times.
Another thing that helped ease my adjustment period was that I was connected with people in my program from the beginning, and I have roommates in the apartment I live in. This was crucial to navigating the first few weeks as I had people who could easily relate to me and go with me through the uncertainties. If you are interested in participating in a study abroad experience, I would encourage you to try and meet as many new people as you can. It may surprise you how much you have in common with people you never knew before. I am very thankful for this time I have spent abroad, and I look forward to keeping in touch with my new friends when we all return home!
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International Business Marketing & Political Science major Allison Primm spent the Summer 2021 term at in Madrid, Spain with CEA with the help of the Honors College Study Abroad Grant & our Office of Study Abroad Scholarship.
You can start planning your adventure abroad today! Dive in to our Explore page at https://studyabroad.uark.edu/explore/index.php, and start your program search at http://studyabroad.uark.edu/search/