Studying Abroad in Spain

Ever thought about studying abroad? Drexel highly encourages students to take the leap and study in another country, and as a former study abroad student, I hope my experience inspires you to take the chance for yourself.

I recently studied abroad in Madrid, Spain during my fall 2022 quarter, and the experience was invaluable. I had the opportunity to grow in so many aspects and created endless memories that will last a lifetime. Not only was I immersed in Spain's culture, but I also connected with students across the world, including China, Norway, Ireland, and Germany. In fact, I even had the opportunity to visit over 10 different cities and countries over the weekends as flights around Europe are way cheaper once you are there. Traveling around the world encouraged me to grow significantly and expanded my view of what other countries and cultures around the world have to offer.

If I had the chance, I would live in Madrid again in a heartbeat!

Beginning with classes, I took four Spanish classes to improve my language skills while I was there. To be honest, I was not even close to being fluent upon starting my study abroad experience. While this made it difficult to communicate right away at restaurants, the airport, and Ubers, I quickly adapted and increased my language skills within the first month. All of my classes were taught by native Spanish speakers who spoke little to no English. We were required to speak in Spanish for the duration of the class, including learning grammar, which, in the past, was always taught in English. While this challenged me, the different learning styles allowed me to learn quicker than I have in the past. Overall, I genuinely enjoyed each of my classes and connected with both the professors and students.

If you decide to study abroad, I highly recommend looking into programs in Madrid! While my opinion is biased, Madrid is the most beautiful country I have visited. The people in Spain focus on enjoying their life in nearly every aspect. As a Drexel student who is constantly in the "go-go-go" mindset, this was a breath of fresh air and allowed me to take a step back and fully enjoy my time there. Spain is also known as the sunniest country in Europe, so I spent the majority of my time walking around exploring the city and having picnics in the parks. If I had the chance, I would live in Madrid again in a heartbeat!

Drexel offers so many resources to allow you to fit studying abroad into your schedule. For more information about Drexel's Study Abroad Program, students at Drexel can talk to their advisor or even attend a study abroad session for resources regarding academics, financial aid, and more!