Kelley Joiner, an international student at Spain’s Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE), shares her experience of studying at a university in Madrid, her favorite things about the city, and advice on adapting to life in Spain.
I moved to Madrid from Birmingham, Alabama in the United States in September of 2012 to pursue a Masters of International Law, Foreign Trade & International Relations (LLM) at the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE).
At the time, coming to university in Madrid, the capital of Spain, seemed like a logical next step after completing my undergraduate and law degrees in the US. I have always had a desire to live and work abroad, and I felt that obtaining a Masters degree internationally would be the best way to achieve those goals.
Madrid itself was also an easy choice for me. I’d spent a summer here studying abroad as an undergraduate student, and I fell in love with the city then. Madrid is such a vibrant city, and there really is something for everyone here. It has a big-city feel without the “rat race” vibe that can often accompany life in a large city.
Joining an international student community
When I arrived to start university in Madrid on the first day of class last October, I looked around the room at all the placards in front of my new classmates with their names and flags of their home countries and realized I was the only person from the US, as well as the only native English speaker.
Being part of such an international student community was definitely a big change for me, in addition to coming all the way from Alabama and not knowing anyone here. Upon introducing myself later on, I realized that most people had no idea which state Alabama was, but that everyone knows the words to "Sweet Home Alabama", Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic rock anthem.
This realization was the first of what would be many attempts to find common ground with people from different countries and cultures.
Adapting to life in Spain
Although I was a bit rusty when I arrived, luckily I already knew the language here before I came. But that would probably be my biggest piece of advice to others: learn at least some Spanish before coming! A lot of people speak English and other languages here, but being able to understand the local language really enhances the overall experience of life in Spain.
Moreover, I have found that Spaniards generally are friendlier when foreigners make an attempt to communicate in their language. They are warm, always say “hola” and “hasta luego” – even to strangers in shops, restaurants, and elevators -- and will go out of their way to help you if you are lost.
In addition to the language difference, the other big change for me in adapting to life in Spain was the meal times. Spaniards tend to eat very late, with lunch usually beginning after 2pm and dinner usually beginning no earlier than 9pm.
The plentiful sunlight in the warmer months (it stays light until around 10pm during the summer) and the lively nightlife scene help to explain these later hours!
Things to do in Madrid
Because the food and weather are so amazing here, one of my favorite things to do in Madrid is simply enjoy an afternoon of sitting on sunny terraces and sampling tapas at various bars and cafés with friends.
Probably my favorite place to enjoy a variety of tapas is the Mercado de San Miguel, a big market in the city center with walk-up counters. It is always bustling, fun, and delicious!
Spain has an incredibly rich and varied culture and history, which is evident throughout Madrid. Some of my favorite sights include the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum, and Retiro Park. For a true insight into Spanish culture and a nail-biting afternoon, check out a bullfight at Las Ventas, the Plaza de Toros (bullring).
Entertainment in Madrid
The range of entertainment in Madrid is unbeatable. From taking a paseo walk through the city to titillating flamenco dance shows to the multitudes of bars and discotecas that stay open until the wee hours, it is impossible to lack nighttime entertainment here!
Madrid is also a great city for sports fans like me. Taking in a fútbol match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a must! And with Madrid vying for the bid to host the 2020 Olympics, it seems like there are always sporting events going on including tennis, basketball, soccer and more.
Being the only American in my class, I had the pleasure of sharing my love of American football with my classmates and teaching them how to say "Roll Tide", the cheer for my home team, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. I even got some of them to watch the games with me at some of the pubs here! It was a welcome bit of home away from home.
A year and a Masters degree later, I cannot imagine living anywhere else right now!
