Cultural Immersion in Madrid

By: Tia Tewari

Ever since I learned about studying abroad, I knew I wanted to do it; being able to fully immerse myself into a new culture seemed like an unforgettable experience. Cultural immersion was my top priority, and now having almost finished the program, I wanted to share my experiences in pursuing this goal. 

The first decision I made was to stay with a host family. My host parents are originally from Argentina and have been living in Spain for about 20 years. At first, I was a bit nervous about how I was going to get along with them, but it has been the most formative part of my study abroad experience. Practicing my Spanish during our sobremesa, going to their theater to watch our host mom in her play, and cooking panqueques con dulce de leche and tortilla española has not only allowed me to learn about Spanish culture but also significantly eased the transition away from home. 

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This program also makes it very easy to involve yourself in cultural immersion. Through the weekly cultural activities and weekend day trips, I’ve explored El Palacio Real, learned how to make Paella, seen the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, played the Cajon, and danced the Sevillana way. Although it is easy to let these signups fall through the lump sum of emails you get every week, being involved with the events that the program coordinators put together so diligently has allowed me to explore so many different facets of Spanish culture. 

However, four months in a new city, a new country, a new continent can be very overwhelming. Taking classes in only Spanish with mostly native students, talking to strangers in language exchange events, and planning international trips can be hard, so prioritizing myself has been just as important as everything else in achieving my goal of cultural immersion. I have equally loved walking through Parque del Retiro, indulging in tapas, and shopping the stands of El Rastro.

EXPLORE SPAIN