These are a few of my favorite things

It feels like just yesterday that I moved to Spain, but somehow it's already been over 2 months. In honor of 10 weeks in Madrid, I put together a list with 10 of my favorite things about this city so far:

1. All of the people I’ve met
2. My job and the kids I get to work with
3. It doesn’t feel like everyone’s in a huge rush
4. Groceries are affordable
5. There are always people of all ages out and about, whether it’s 8am or 1am
6. The food here doesn’t make my stomach hurt
7. Everything about Retiro Park
8. Learning Spanish little-by-little
9. Walking out of my apartment and being in the center of a city
10. Public transportation is both accessible and wildly affordable

If you're in the process of applying for CIEE Madrid or you're currently in that stage where you're "just thinking about it" (but know in your heart it's what you want to do), take this as your sign. 

Living here has undoubtedly been one of the greatest experiences of my life and something I will cherish forever. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time - about Spain and the world in general, about living in a country where you don't speak the native language, how to make new friends when you had the same ones for many years, what it's like living in an apartment in a major city, the list goes on. 

But most of all, I have learned so much about who I am. This experience teaches you to be resilient, embrace the unknown, adapt when necessary (which it will be), and accept everything for what it is. It has given me a new lens for the world around me, as well as a heightened sense of curiosity that I take with me everywhere I go. I have a newfound appreciation for everything that led me here and a desire to make a difference in the world each day, no matter how small.

I urge you to take the leap and give yourself the gift that this experience truly is. Before you know it, you'll be making a list of your favorite things about Madrid too.