¡First Impressions!

Today one of our guest bloggers is Zoe! Take a look at how Zoe's experience has been going so far : 

This first week of CIEE Madrid has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life, but arriving in Spain from the United States was not easy. After 16 hours of traveling I arrived in Spain at 8:00 AM…but 2:35 AM in my home time zone. The first day was rough - as I walked around a new city on 30 hours of no sleep with people I didn’t know yet, I realized I had no idea what I signed up for. My fears, however, were quelled at the first sight of the center of Madrid, Sol - the sprawling center of Madrid filled with astonishing architecture, statues, and stores. One of my favorite things about Madrid is that everything you could ever want or need is within walking distance. This is very different from my home in the United States where I have to drive everywhere - but I have found that I love it. I’ve been walking the same route to school every day for the past week, and every day I see something new. Additionally, access to the well-organized metro means that even if something is not within walking distance, it is easily accessible. 

One of the reasons I am enjoying this program so far is that not only do we visit cool places and learn new things with our group on tours and in class, but we also have free time to discover things ourselves. With this free time, my friends and I have discovered beautiful views, towering palaces, sprawling markets, and tiny bakeries as we explore the city together. One of my favorite places we have been so far is the Mercado San Miguel, which is an antique market filled with little stores selling all different types of food and pastries. Additionally, the Palacio Real (or Royal Palace) of Madrid shocked me with not only ornate decorations but mind-blowing views of the whole city. 

The complete immersion in Spanish language and culture has opened my eyes to a different way of living. I have learned more in one week about Spanish culture and language than I did in a whole semester of school, and I’m so excited to continue learning and exploring this amazing city. I only wish I could experience this program for every city around the globe!