Adjusting to Living in Madrid: First Month Takeaways

This past month and a half abroad has been a whirlwind and I am already extremely grateful for the opportunity to be both teaching and learning. Like many people in CIEE, I have been experiencing a lot of firsts. My first time abroad, my first time having an apartment, and my first time being thousands of miles (or I guess kilometers now) away from my family and friends. I felt it would be appropriate for my first blog to be about ways I’ve adjusted during my first month in Madrid. 

Say yes to everything 

During my week of CIEE orientation, while I was still jet lagged and living out of my many suitcases, I received the best piece of advice for moving abroad or moving somewhere new in general. My omniscient orientation leader, Richie, told us to say yes to everything. This mantra is now permanently ingrained in my mind. Since that pivotal first week I have said yes to:  

• Going to Mallorca 2 days before leaving
• Trying vermú, croquetas, pâté, churros (you can’t imagine how fast I said yes), and so much more
• Dancing with a native Madrileño
• Seeing the remains of Saint Valentine on actual Valentine’s Day
• Getting up close and personal with peacocks in El Retiro Park.

Work to live, don’t live to work

Goodbye hustle culture, hello siesta. As a very recent college graduate whose weekly average screen time on LinkedIn is embarrassingly high, I would say the siesta lifestyle has been the most difficult adjustment so far. For the past year and some change, I have been solely focused on planning for my future and trying to carefully calculate every step. Comparatively, Spaniards tend to take life one day at a time and do not let their work consume their life. Work to live, don’t live to work. Americans should really take a page out of Spain’s book on this one. 

I have slowly but surely been learning to not become irritated or annoyed when a coffee shop or the bank is closed at 3:00pm (15:00 for all my European friends out there). Instead, I have consciously been trying to relax and go with the flow. As an auxiliares de conversación in the Community of Madrid, I am a part time employee and work 4 day weeks. Recently, I have been trying to take full advantage of my free time and soak in everything being a young adult in a big city has to offer. It can be easy to feel restless or like I need to constantly be “productive” during downtime. However, exploring vintage stores, trying new coffee shops, going to yoga classes, and stopping to smell the roses in any number of the local parks has proven to be critical for my well being. 

Embrace your school

I arrived in Spain halfway through the school year in January. The other two auxiliaries at my primary school in Alcalá de Henares had been teaching there for a year and a half by the time I started, so they were already acquainted with everything. The whole staff at my school is incredibly welcoming and helpful, and bonding with the other auxes has made me feel more comfortable and confident at work. 

One of the auxes is from California, so it’s been nice having someone to talk about home with and be able to compare our experiences living abroad. Our other aux is from the Philippines and she is a little closer to my age. It’s been interesting to hear about her life at home in the Philippines, a place that was colonized by both Spain and the US, and connect the past to the present. The 30 minute recess and snack break during the school day has been a perfect way to socialize and mingle! 

This upcoming weekend, we have a walking tapas tour around Alcalá de Henares scheduled with the local teachers from my school. I am looking forward to further exploring my students’ and coworkers' community.  

Overall, so far so good and I am excited to keep sharing my experience here!