Five Reasons Why Madrid Became My Second Home!

Imagine this being your 7 am morning walk to class. Well, this was my reality every morning, four days a week. A beautiful sunrise, with a croissant in hand, and the most beautiful architecture that could never get too old.

Two years ago, I took a leap of faith to create my own adventure and enrolled in a semester study abroad program in Madrid. Only to find out a year later that it would be the most eye-opening and fun journey of my academic career. It changed the way I saw the world, shining light on the many different cultures, foods, traditions, and languages Europe has to offer.

Now, if you're thinking about taking the same leap of faith, do not think twice about it and book your flight! Studying abroad was truly a rite of passage, and Madrid will forever be my home away from home.

Here are five reasons why!

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1. Way of Life: All Day All Night

   
   

   Madrileños are an entirely different kind of people; they live such a simple and social lifestyle, nothing like we Americans are used to. They don't go to bed until 1 AM but then wake up during the later hours of the morning. They leave work early to grab drinks and yummy Tapas with their friends, and you can't forget the siestas at 3 PM. They value life, family, and friends, always looking for a new adventure. Oh, and did I mention that on night outs, they don't get home until 7 AM. Wild, I know! They truly know how to cherish their time and have fun rather than spending it on the go and trying to compete with colleagues to see who can stay in the office the longest.

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2. The Food: All Things Tapas

   
   

   Spanish foods are now one of my favorite cuisines. Tapas culture is the heart and soul of every Spaniard, and it really highlights the social aspect I mentioned earlier. Whether it's my personal favorite patatas bravas, pincho de tortilla, jamon iberico, or croquetas from the Mercado de San Miguel, every variety and flavor has its own unique taste. There's nothing like hopping from one tapas bar to another and pairing your dish with a refreshing glass of sangria or tinto de verano. Find yourself a local tapas bar with a patio on Calle de Las Huertas, and you've got your perfect Spanish dining experience.

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3. Metro: Próxima Estación

One of my favorite parts of studying abroad in a city like Madrid was the ability to live like a local, and I have the metro to thank for that. It was easy to navigate and affordable, and I basically could get from one end of the city to the other in an hour. Every time I got into a metro station, there was an adventure waiting on the other side. Whether that be dancing in the middle of a platform with the local guitarist, or running down the platform trying to hop on the train before the doors shut in our faces. It was a fun adventure that helped us explore the city with no limitations. And need I remind you of the sound that will live in your head rent free " Próxima Estación... Sol... Correspondencia con... Linea 2 y 3."

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4. Shopping: From Zara to Bershka

Who doesn't love to shop? All I can say is if you're a shopaholic like me, Madrid is the place for you. It is the home of iconic brands like Zara, Stradivarius, Mango, and Bershka. Just walk down Gran Vía, and you'll find yourself spending a few hundred dollars on all the amazing pieces you come across. So, if you don't want to spend much on a shopping spree, make sure you avoid exploring the trendy Sol and Gran Vía neighborhood, it's quite dangerous! However, if you're not a crazy shopper like me and come back from study abroad with way more luggage than what I arrived with, window shopping in Madrid is a cultural experience in itself that you won't want to miss.

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5. Local Coffee Shops

Madrid has a charming café culture, with cozy coffee shops on every corner to grab a cappuccino and a yummy chocolate croissant. Every Monday during my break, I would walk two blocks down from campus to Maison Kayser for a Dirty Chai Tea Latte and a jamon iberico sandwich, it was a weekly routine. And on weekends I would walk across the street from my homestay to Manolo Bakes and grab a café con leche. There were so many cool and trendy café's that my friends and I studied at, and other times we would find hole in the walls tucked away in the cobblestone streets, that we would hide in for hours on end doing homework and studying for exams. Coffee is part of the culture and I promise it'll be hard to miss.

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Well, there you have just five out of the many reasons Madrid will forever feel like my home away from home! Hopefully, in the near future, I get to live there for more than just four months.