In the spring of 2013, I left on an exchange term “Erasmus” to Madrid to partially fulfill a graduation requirement, partially to travel Europe, and above all, immerse myself in the culture and language of Spain. What resulted was nothing short of a revolution in terms of a changed mindset as well as outlook on life. This is a reflection penned in 2013, after my first term abroad.
Reflections on an Exchange Abroad
As I sit on an airplane homeward bound, I think back on the wonderful journeys and countless memories produced from my five months living in Madrid, Spain. I arrived alone, and while I knew others in my program, the entire progression towards Europe was done solely on my own. As the taxi pulled up, and let me off at Calle de la Princesa 69, I knew not what would lay in store for me, only the fact that I had entered a brand new world, halfway across the globe, with only the couple Marquette students along for the ride. As I rang the buzzer, I was greeted with a “¿Sí?” and a ring up. Little did I know that this apartment, found via a local website and no interaction with the residents other than the landlord, would quickly turn into the best experience of my life.
Upon my departure, if asked if I believed that this trip would change my life, it most likely would have been met with a “no idea”, and a scoff. I was only concerned with making my way to Madrid, and simply going from there. I had heard many tales of life-changing experiences, and to me, they seemed more fable, or rather an idea, than a tangible outcome. Sure, there were aspects of life in Spain that I bought into from the beginning, such as tapas, bullfighting, and the siesta, to name a few. However, these thoughts were more aligned as mirages, rather than in actuality. Spain, in my mind, was a romanticized ideal, and I was keen to experience it for myself. Not twenty minutes after my arrival at the flat, and meeting a few of my amazing roommates, I met up with five other students, all of who had arrived before me. As soon as the first night culminated, with tapas and admiring the Palacio from the viewpoint of the Parque del Oeste, I could sense this semester was going to be something special.
There’s an expression in Castellano, no pasa nada, which translates to “don’t worry about it”, or, “it’s all good”. This statement seems to express life in Spain, as well as Spaniards, to the fullest. Everyone is relaxed, without working too hard on menial tasks, or even sweating the small stuff. Even the siesta is designed as a break in the workday, where citizens, businesses, and customers close for a few hours mid-day, to kick back and enjoy life, without focusing too much on the labor of daily life. Five of my roommates, from Murcia, Andalucía, and Extremadura, always made time to lie on the couch, watch TV, or simply discuss life and daily musings. I believe that this phrase, if one was necessary, best sums up my abroad experience here. Don’t worry about homework too much, or whether or not you have amply prepared for an exam or presentation. Take life day by day, and don’t focus overtly on the future, except of course, if one is planning trips. Instead, take a stroll through a nearby park, wander and get lost in many of Madrid’s winding backstreets. Get off at a random Metro stop, try tapas you haven’t the faintest idea of what they are, and simply be spontaneous. You’ll never remember all the hours put in on schoolwork, but you will recall the experience of toasting a crisp glass of Manzanilla with the ghost of Hemmingway, in a back alley tavern that hasn’t changed since the days of the Republic. On a whim, go travel to a county or city you have never heard of, especially since Ryanair offers cheap flights to many “where is that?” destinations. Get out of your comfort zone, it will make your time abroad much more memorable and enjoyable.
Speaking of travelling, do it. I can’t speak for the experiences of everyone, but travel will change a person. If someone asks you to go somewhere, see a sight, adventure into unknown territory, don’t ask “why”. Rather, ask “when”, as you may experience life-changing situations, such as getting rocks thrown at your group by an angry goat herder in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, yelling at us in Arabic the entire time.
Travel makes you stronger. Not just financially with budgeting, but also mentally and physically as well. You learn how to pinch pennies, to make your wanderlust dreams a reality, and to complete journeys never previously imagined. You learn how to overcome obstacles, especially when those obstacles include a fifty km/hour head wind, snow, and vertical ascension up a mountain, all while wearing running shoes. Missed busses and trains become mere afterthoughts, as there is always a new opening that comes with those missed. Everyone makes timing mistakes, so consider them advantages, as by calling an audible on travel plans can open new cities for the taking and stories for the telling. Overall, you become adapt at dealing with new and unfamiliar situations in new cities and countries.
While travelling, I have seen glorious and grandiose sights, completed hikes and treks never previously thought possible, and truly immersed myself in the culture of Spain, as well as Europe in general. I’ve hiked above majestic fjords in Montenegro that rival those in Norway at one-third of the price, perused still-visible scars of war littered across buildings in Bosnia, been mystified for hours by the magic of Granada’s Alhambra, and lazily lounged on the rocky beaches of Croatia’s azure blue Dalmatian Coast. I’ve witnessed ancient Italian costume and hedonism to match in Venice’s Carnevale, took a leisure weekend in Lisbon complete with Vinho Verde, and stood inside Imperial Rome’s gladiator rings, amphitheater, and Templo de Diana in Mérida. I’ve climbed the Rock of Gibralter, Mt. Teide in Tenerife, and done hikes in the Rif Mountains, Balkans, and the Alps. And perhaps the most spur of the moment action yet, buying a rail pass with three good friends and riding the rails, making stops in classical Munich, fairy-tale Prague, cutting-edge Berlin, picturesque Amsterdam, expensive Geneva, and Antwerp. I’ve wandered aimlessly through Islamic architectural splendor in the Moorish Alcazars, Alcazabas, Mezquita and gardens, as well as admired the vast masses of powerful European cathedrals all over Spain. I’ve watched in awe at the dance of the torero and toro, in the bullfighting ring, and experienced solo backpacking, couchsurfing, and hitchhiking, all in one trip. And finally, I’ve trekked to the castles of Disney inspiration, in Segovia’s Alcazar and Munich’s Newschswanstein, to be rewarded with sublime views and well, even better photos. Travel is completely what one makes it, and instead of hitting the first-timer favorites of Rome, London, and Dublin, go check out Cinque Terre, Dubrovnik, and Istanbul, to name a few. You’ll be rewarded with authentic cities, cheaper prices, far less tourism, and exquisite food, in addition to experiences many dream of, but far less accomplish. Take the road less travelled, and it will make all the difference in your travel experiences. While I cannot claim to not visiting popular destinations, I believe that one will have a richer trove of voyages and photos to match by going off the path.
Naturally, as a result of one’s travels, they will uncover certain pre-dispositions and favorite experiences, cities, food/drink, and accommodations. Instead of spending too many days in Barcelona, head west to see País Vasco, Asturias, Cantabria, and Galicia, all of which will provide an extremely authentic experience and delicious seafood with half the tourists. The best jamón comes from Extremadura, and the best Sidra comes from Gijón, but only pouring it correctly, with the bottle over your head and the glass below your waist angled away from you, will yield the proper results. Lose yourself in the tapas, pintxo, and cervecería culture that ever so entwine Spain. Experience la vida madrileña by going out at 2, catching the metro home at 6, and sleeping until 1 or 3. Even though these tips relate directly to Spain, they can account for any study abroad trip.
Soon, you’ll be so enveloped in the culture, that your new city will become a second home, with your roommates as family. For me, Madrid is and will always be my home away from Marquette and Whitefish Bay, because of the experiences accumulated here. For those interested in study abroad, I have one piece of advice. Do it. Don’t ask why; instead, look at when, and how. If you have any doubts at all, just go for it. Immerse yourself for a month or five in a foreign country, and have the time of your life. Don’t live with any regret, only go all in on the program and reap its rewards, in personal growth and travel experiences.
So, as my trip has come to a close, I have thanks to give. Thank you to my parents for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, to the incredible friends and wonderful people I have met during my stay in Europe, and to my roommates to being a family to me, 4200 miles from home. Finally, thank you to Madrid for being such a welcoming and inviting host, and for changing my life. If there were one generic phrase to describe study abroad, it would be the same one adorned on the many advertisements Marquette uses. Arrive as you are, depart transformed. My duration in Madrid has most certainly transformed my life, to making me more worldly by experienced multiple cultures, improving my Spanish, and finally, giving me the wanderlust to traverse many more of Europe’s corners. There’s a saying in Castellano, hasta luego, which means goodbye. However, this is in reference to seeing the person or place sometime in the future. So hasta luego Madrid and Europe, I’ll miss you, but will see you soon. Maybe not the following year, but my return is inevitable. Until next time,
Alec
Dispatches by Alec 