So far our trip to Madrid has been awesome. There is so much to do and see here. At first it was hard to get used to the time change. I think all of us are still trying to fully adapt to it, since it is 6 hours ahead of Atlanta time. Everyday we have been going to classes in the morning and then taking the afternoons off to go and see the city. Fortunately there have been many tours organized by FORSPRO that have taken us to the best places in the city. The biggest change for me though is all of the walking we have been doing. I swear we walking almost 5 miles a day. We also have been using the Metro here, a subway system that takes us all over the city. I like most of the people here in Spain. The culture is different because these people do not really have their personal space "bubbles" like we do in the U.S. The also have graffiti everywhere here. Like its all over buildings, signs, historical monuments, its everywhere!
I had the most fun the other night when we went out for tapas and wine at 5 different places. Tapas are like little appetizers. Another fun night for us was when we went to El Parque del Retiro. We went rowing on a little boat for awhile, it was funny to see four girls rowing. Here is a picture of us at the lake.

First Impressions

My first impressions of Spain thus far, have all been very good. I love city life, can't ever get enough of it. I don't think I was fully aware of how much i missed living in a big city until coming out here. The people of Madrid are wonderful and incredibly friendly, making the experience all the more enjoyable. It's hot here, but not as hot as I thought it would be, I really like the weather. I did not know what to expect when it came to the food and have decided that I am not a fan of the food that we are given to eat here at Collegio Mara, however when we go out into the city and are eating real authentic Spanish food, I really enjoy it. It's very exciting being here in the city because there is so much to do! It's impossible to get bored! The only problem that I might be having is not getting enough rest do to the fact that I never want to stop! I just want to do and see everything here that Spain has to offer!
Marguerite

Madrid

Madrid. La ciudad entre ciudades +++MAD+++

From SPSU student in Spain 2006

To all of you...


I was a Valenciano last year. So, what can I say about Spain?

There is really nothing that I can tell you that will prepare you for what you are about to do. Visiting Spain is an amazing, life-changing experience.

But no book you can read or advice I can give you can really prepare you for it. At best you might get a Mickey-Mouse, Disney World, Epcot Center, "It's a small world" sort-of idea of what Spain is. That all dissolves as soon as you get there.

However...I can tell you that if you want to get the most out of your time in Madrid, spend it out in the streets, cafes and clubs mixing with the people who live in Madrid. Talk to strangers and make friends with the locals. There is no better way to practice your Spanish.

Finally, I can guarantee that you will miss American cooking before it is all over.

That is all I can think to say. Have a wonderful time. I am totally jealous because I wish I were going with you.

-Andy Mengwasser
Valenciano 2006

yeah that worked, thanks

My expectations

Talk about being late right? What can I say, it's in my blood. And why is there a hyphen in my last name?

With not even two weeks left until I go to Spain, I have a lot to prepare for. What do I expect when I arrive? Being Puerto Rican, a lot of my culture comes from Spain. The language, religion, customs and traditions, food and even machismo all have their roots there. When I reach Spain, I expect to find a lot of familiar things. I expect people who I can better relate to. I expect a place, that overall, I will feel very comfortable in. Whenever I listen to a Celia Cruz or Hector Lavoe cd or eat tostones and amarillos, I get the feeling that I am at home. I believe that being in Spain will give me this feeling, only more often.

However, Puerto Rico and Spain are not the same place and so there will be differences. The only difference that really worries me, though, is the difference in speech. Living in the United States, I am mostly used to hearing my own native Puerto Rican tongue. I have had little, if any at all, interaction with Spain's own version of Spanish. This will be a new and beneficial experience for me and I don't think that I will have much trouble adapting.

I have read as much info on Spain as I could and what catches my interest the most is a small city named Ávila. The first of my two last names is Ávila and I believe that visiting this city is going to be an experience I won't be able to explain. I do know that I will feel a certain connection when I go there and I am very excited about going there.

I do regret that I will not be able to take my family along, but this is an experience that I will never forget and I will be able to share with them. My only wish is that Spain lives up to my high expectations (which I have no doubt it will).

Well, I do have one other wish for when I go to Spain; that the Spanish girls are as enthralled with my hair as the girls here in the U.S are.