Hello! I’m happy to share that I completed my first two weeks of school in Madrid. The initial days were fascinating. Before moving to Spain, I had never ridden the metro on my own — let alone daily. At first, it was scary. I was extremely confused by the line numbers and directions. On my first day, I accidentally got on a subway going in the wrong direction. I was completely lost for about half an hour, panicked a little, reached the opposite side of the city and eventually found my way back to a good starting point.
To my surprise, I realized that the route to my university, Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, involved taking a train after the subway. Riding the train was an incredible experience — I’ve always loved the idea of traveling by train.
Despite my initial hassles with public transportation, I made myself proud yesterday by getting to school without using Google Maps. Personally, learning how to navigate the subway and train system to attend class is an experience I did not anticipate since my lifestyle in Austin is completely different. Navigating public transportation in Spain has helped me see more of the real world and become more open-minded and resourceful while facing new challenges.
On my first day at Universidad Pontificia Comillas, I wore jeans, a thermal shirt, a sweater and a big coat, hoping I was dressed appropriately for a Spanish university campus. I was surprised to see that there were only two buildings, labeled “A” and “B,” where all my classes took place. Unlike my first day at the University of Texas at Austin, when finding a classroom felt like being stuck in a maze, it was easy to find my classroom at Universidad Pontificia Comillas.
Classrooms here are quite different, with fewer people per class. The best way I can describe the feeling is that it reminded me of high school. I love familiarizing myself with the academic experience at Universidad Pontificia Comillas, learning more about Spanish culture and observing how students here engage with their classes.
At first, stepping into the classroom was intimidating. I saw several girls who already knew each other while I sat silently. Thankfully, two other exchange students were in my class, including one from England and another from Mexico City. They approached me and made me feel less alone. After class, we chatted, and that’s how I made my first two new friends! Academically, my professors are funny, approachable and very helpful. The academic curriculum and teaching methods differ from those at UT Austin and will improve my adaptability.
This is my first time in Europe, and the culture shock is palpable. I’m amazed by the elevators, electrical outlets and buildings because they’re different from those in Austin. I’m still learning to remember to lock the door with a key each time I leave my apartment. The $2.50 coffee with oat milk was a pleasant surprise and a relief compared to the $8 coffees I used to get at Medici. I love seeing people walking everywhere around the city. People often take the bus, subway or street taxis instead of driving individual cars.
On another note, Spanish is my first language, but some words in Spain are completely different from what I’m used to in Mexico. For example, going to a pharmacy to ask for Q-tips or hair gel was a learning experience because they use different vocabulary here.
During my first weekend in Madrid, I walked to the Puerta de Alcalá and through El Parque del Retiro with some friends. The Puerta is massive and incredibly stunning to look at. There are a few elegant restaurants with beautiful views. Walking through El Parque del Retiro, I saw an amazing lake with a few small boats, pigeons flying around and thousands of people walking and running. Afterward, we took a stroll down Serrano Street, which was full of luxury shops and an overwhelming number of restaurants, coffee shops, terraces and so many other unique spots.
The same night, we had dinner at a restaurant called Aarde, where I had the best steak and truffle risotto I’ve ever tried. My experience has been nothing short of amazing, and I’m very excited to continue exploring the city. I’m sure there are countless spots yet to be discovered. I’m ready to embrace Spanish culture fully and continue to adapt to this lifestyle!
This post was contributed by Maria Fernanda Valero, a Global Ambassador for Spring 2025. Maria is a junior studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
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