¡Os Presentamos! -- Meet the Madrileños!

We’re almost halfway through our program and have truly begun to form some meaningful relationships that will surely last us a lifetime.  Since we’ve probably started referencing our new BFFs to our friends and families back home, we figured it might be nice to match some names to faces -- and a few fun facts to boot!  Aqui vamos!

Barrio A:

Despite the tallest man on earth being the leader of this group, this all-chica barrio is full of fantastic personalities and supreme smiles, which has earned them the nickname Grupo Guay.  Don’t let their feminine flair fool you -- these ladies represent the widest range of athletes in any barrio.  Between these ten ladies, we’ve got fencers, swimmers, ruggers, futbolistas, volleyballers, dancers, tenistas, and softballers....AND una chica with some killer crochet skills.  They’ve been killing the Spanish game and are consistently pushing themselves to try new things, ¡sin quejas!

Barrio B:

Otherwise known as el Barrio de Bellas, these chicas have whole-heartedly embraced Spanish fashion with gusto.  They’re consistently looking out for each other and are much more like a group of hermanas than friends of less than two weeks.  There’s no such thing as quiet time with this chatty, hilarious group who are consistently seeking new adventures, ¡gangas!, and ways to include each other as they explore the city.   

Barrio C:

Not to let the all-chica barrios out-do them, here comes Barrio C as the only majority-male barrio and BOY can you tell!  They’ve got personalities, jokes, fashion sense, the ability to climb on everything they see... almost the full package except for body control and coordination (movies of dance/cajón lessons coming soon!).  Barrio Chulo, as they’re better known, are a balance of brains, beauties, and bottomless stomachs.

Barrio D:

Barrio D might as well be known as Barrio de Diversidad because they have the widest spead of talents and personalities.  This group combines some of the most extroverted and introverted students into a single barrio, mixing in the athletes, world-travelers, native-speakers, and a heaping teaspoon of sugar, spice, and everything nice.  Each and every student in this group is making a conscious effort to be social and reach out to others, even if that’s not their comfort zone.

Barrio E:

Last, but most certainly not least, is Barrio E.  Their E could definitely stand for ENERGY as this group has plenty (with Zach, a non-stop ball of go go (go), being their perfect ringleader).  You’d never know that they came from such different backgrounds -- some having lived abroad or learned multiple languages before, while others experienced their first trip on an airplane or are just beginning to build the blocks of their first world language -- as they’ve all found a way to become incredibly close and considerate of each other.