Curate the Perfect Commute

Even though I did my research, read previous CIEE blogs, and mapped out my route all before leaving the U.S., I was still shocked by the commute. Every morning, I leave when it’s still completely pitch-black outside; in fact, the first time I did my commute, it was dark when I actually arrived in my town, too. Get this: my commute isn’t even the longest one!

Whether your commute is a 15-minute walk, a two-hour bus, or a wild combination of walking, busing, and commuter train—like mine—, you have an opportunity. 

As I write this blog, I hold the perspective that time is a gift, so we should use it wisely. Especially time in Europe. Here are some ways that you can make the most of your commute!

Listen to Music

This is the easiest and most common way to spend your commute. Whether you “wistfully lean out the window and watch the sun set on the lake” (“I Love You, I’m Sorry” by Gracie Abrams) as you ride the train or declare “ain’t nothing gonna break my stride” (“Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder) as you strut to school, you create your commute aesthetic. 

This can also be a time for language immersion, if you choose. Since moving to Madrid, I like to listen to Spanish music so I can keep getting language input throughout the day. Because I speak English all day at work with the kids, music gives me a way to add a little extra Spanish into my routine and keep my ear tuned to the language.

Pro: You possess the power to set the mood for your day. 

Con: If you forgot to download music, sometimes there are weird blackout zones on public transportation where streaming services don’t work as well. 

Read a Good Book

Reading goal? Expanding your knowledge? Want to outdo your friends on Goodreads? Now is your time to shine. 

Whether you prefer audio books or physical books, your commute can double as built-in reading time. It’s pretty easy to focus on your book while commuting in the morning because there isn’t a ton of background chatter—the rest of the city is also just waking up. There’s something special about reading in the new place that you now call home. 

Pro: Easy, designated time to accomplish your reading.

Con: It can be clunky to start a book on the bus, then switch to a train, then try to continue the book. 

Journal

There is so much going on in our lives right now. Even if you’ve established some kind of routine, we tend to move at 100,000mph (or, perhaps, km/h) while living abroad. With journaling, you can use your commute to slow down your day, even for just a moment. It’s also a great way to remember all that you’ve been up to.

For example, the other day I was feeling as though I hadn’t accomplished much since moving abroad. However, when I went and looked in my journal, I was quickly reminded that I had opened a bank account, bought a phone plan, found a house, scheduled governmental appointments, and made friends—that was just the first week! Journaling can serve as a grounding method to remind you of what you’ve done, how far you’ve come, and what you hope to accomplish. 

Pro: It creates space for me to be reflective and introspective in the busyness of life. 

Con: Public transportation can be bumpy, so I find that my handwriting is not its usual neatness as I write. 

Eavesdrop

Hear me out. I am well aware that this is probably a strange thing to advertise, but I promise that it is both well-intended and a good way to spend your commute. As someone who isn’t fluent in Spanish but wants to be, listening in on conversations is a great way to expose myself to the language. Sometimes, I will listen to see if I understand what people are talking about or write down new phrases to look up later. It’s helpful because a lot of what you hear on public transportation is “slang” or more casual language 

Just… don’t make it weird, though. 

Pro: You can continue to immerse yourself in the language of where you’re teaching. 

Con: It could be a little socially awkward, particularly if you make it obvious that you’re listening. 

Curate with Consciousness 

Remember to pay attention to your own signs and know what you need. For example: if you had a hard time waking up in the morning, listening to music may make you drift off and miss your stop; but if you had a long day at school and just need a moment to let your brain rest, listening to music may be your best bet. As such, commuting can ultimately function as a form of self-care.  

Something that I was dreading has now become an integral part of my routine. Commuting is not merely me getting to work, it’s a time for me to write, to listen to music, to learn. I hope that you discover the same with your commute after reading this blog!