Hola Madrid Diaries

Madrid Dairies Entry 1:

It’s been a little while since my last blog, but I’m back with some big news—I MADE IT TO SPAIN!! WOOHOO!! I still can’t believe I’m here. This is my very first time in Madrid, and actually my first time in Europe at all, so everything feels new and exciting. From the moment I landed, I’ve been in awe, taking in every detail and trying to remind myself that this isn’t just a vacation—it’s home for the next chapter of my life.

Getting here was definitely a journey. I flew from Kentucky to JFK and then JFK to Madrid, which ended up being about 22 hours of travel in total. Exhausting, yes, but 100% worth it when I stepped off the plane and felt that “I did it” moment. Thankfully, I followed the jet lag tips CIEE sent out, and to my surprise, I didn’t have any jet lag at all. That made it so much easier to jump right in and start exploring without losing days to exhaustion.

Orientation was really helpful and gave me the basics I needed to feel grounded, though I’ll admit I didn’t make it to every event. Between searching for housing, checking off a ton of little tasks, and sneaking in some late-night sightseeing, my days were already pretty full. Still, I walked away with plenty of useful information to help me get settled.

One of the biggest wins so far has been housing. My roommates and I actually connected through mutual friends, and it just felt like the right fit. We found a place we all love, and moving in has made Madrid start to feel more real. If you’re ever in this position, take my advice: Facebook groups are your friend! I can’t wait to share more about my school, prepping for classes, and all the upcoming events. Oh—and school officially started today (October 1st), so stay tuned, because my next blog will dive into what teaching in Madrid is really like!