Life in Madrid As a Foreign Intern

Christian Sotomayor spent 2 months interning abroad in Madrid, Spain. As a Law Intern settling in his new life in Madrid, he takes us through his experience and lifestyle in Madrid, Spain.

Since I was 16 years old, I have dreamed of traveling to Spain for a foreign exchange or study abroad program. The thrill of wanting to go started with my found love for electronic dance music. Through my fascination with this music and the blissful experience it offers, I became obsessed with taking a trip to Spain because of its eccentric nightlife. Besides my music tastes, choosing Spain also came with my wanting to expand my Spanish speaking skills. As a native Spanish speaker born into an Ecuadorean household, I was already skilled in fluent Spanish, however, I knew that Spain would put my knowledge to the test and allow for improvement altogether. My top choices for my foreign trip came down to Barcelona and Madrid.

Originally, I was set on Barcelona but, after profound research and consideration, I realized Madrid fit my needs in a greater sense. I made the decision to stay there for 2 months and fully engulf myself in a brand new way of life. I have never dormed in college nor have I lived away from home for any reason. So this was my chance to get the individual living situation I’ve longed for, let alone be on the other side of the world. I remember getting on the plane at LAX and being so excited about my trip. After a long flight, I took my designated transport to Puerta Sol, in the center of Madrid. This will be my new home for the time being.

Once I finished my first few errands, I decided to go to the closest grocery store I can find, a small store called “Dia.” This is where I first witnessed the difference in food in Spain. They had a huge variety of different snacks, juices, and sweets. They did have the basics such as proteins, grains, vegetables, and so on, however, you can see the difference in quality compared to that of the states, with prices that were unbelievable. You can purchase 12 fresh farm eggs for 2 euros or a gallon of freshly squeezed orange juice for as little as 1.50 euros. It was something that really made me think. I felt as if the quality of the food here really translated into the lives of the people, as you can visually notice that normal citizens had more energy and a zest for life.

This newfound sense of beauty in my new home translated to everything I experienced from long strolls around town to the enjoyment of traditional food at El Mercado San Miguel. This incredible food court had a variety of everything food related. If you were craving seafood they had a paella booth, if you were craving meat they had Jamon Iberico sandwiches, and if you were craving sweets they had all you can imagine.

The possibilities were truly endless. For affordable prices, you were able to splurge on delicious food and a delicacy of wine choices. Ribera del Duero and Rioja were the two most popular choices of red wine. Up until this point, it is still difficult for me to pick which one I prefer because of how delicious they both were.

At night, it is typical for bars and clubs to stay open until 6 in the morning so before the fun, we’d have a late 10 pm meal at a terraza or rooftop. The vibes would be immaculate having a delicious dinner and glass of wine while gazing at the city at night. At one of my favorite rooftops, at the Skydeck of the Riu Hotel, I feasted on my favorite dish that I had in Madrid, the cocido Madrileño.

It is a traditional chickpea-based stew that contained chorizo, steak, chicken, and an assortment of fresh vegetables for an amazing combination. I would combine this dish with a fresh sangria. Believe me, after I indulged in this meal, I was ready to get my night going. After dinner, we’d head to a discotech and get there by taking the metro. It was amazing to ride on trains that were so well-preserved and clean. The city of Madrid takes its cleanliness seriously and makes no mistake in providing an enjoyable public transportation system for all.

One of the most memorable discotech experiences I’ve had would be at Teatro Kapital. This was an opulent, luxurious, and exciting 7-story club that I’d never seen anything like. There was an energy from the music and people that was super unique. I would meet people here from all over the world, especially students who were studying abroad. We would dance, chat, and even enjoy our time at the karaoke bar on the seventh floor. My friends and I would normally leave Kapital around 3:00 am and end the night at a club called Toyroom near my apartment. This was an excellent choice due to the fact that we were a 5-minute walk from our place, so we always returned safely.

Toyroom was another place that left a different cultural impact on me. The first floor of this club always had an excellent DJ on rotation that would play top songs with mixed genres of Reggeaton, Electronic, and Rap/Hip-Hop. However, there was a basement floor that only played experimental techno music. This was the spot to be at all night long until the sun came out. The underground electronic scene was in full effect here, where local artists and DJs would debut their skills on the stage. It was an intimate experience where the whole crowd would dance and laugh for hours. It was a beautiful sight. I felt like I fulfilled what I was looking for in the Spanish nightlife.

Something quite interesting and funny to me was how Spain treated Mcdonald’s as a delicacy. After a long night out, my group would always take a visit to Mcdonald’s and I was blown away by the massive variety of menu options they had compared to the US. In addition to this, each Mcdonald’s was two stories and people would come with their families and really enjoy their meal there. There had to be something different in the food for it to be this good, right? Let me tell you, the food that I would get from here was so fresh. You could really taste the difference in quality the Mcdonald’s of Madrid had. It was so strange yet blissful at the same time.

Finally, on days that I would have lots of free time, I would always make it a goal of mine to create a new adventure for myself. This is something that I would encourage every Adelante candidate to do. The experience and enjoyment of your time abroad are entirely up to you. Go for that long solo walk through the city, try out a new food item you would’ve never thought of tasting, make new friends, and try things that are out of your comfort zone. One of my favorite things to do would be to go to Parque del Retiro on a clear sunny day. This is the nicest and largest park I’ve ever been to! You can witness a beautiful lake at the center of the park where you can drive swan boats or have a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants in the park. It was such a gorgeous place to unwind and see how the people of Madrid appreciate time away from their daily routines. Leisure time is definitely something that is recommended by the people of Spain and you will surely enjoy it.

The beauty of my experience abroad really translated through the choice I made to live every day to the fullest. Never waste a moment! Experiment and learn more about yourself by taking matters into your own hands. Of course, safety is essential, always be with people you trust such as fellow candidates and roommates. By looking out for one another, you will feel a sense of peace and calm while adventuring. Take it all in, for this is an experience that comes once in a while. It changed my life and it will undoubtedly change yours.

Another gracious moment that I will never forget from my trip was visiting the Reina Sofia National Museum of Art. I was lucky enough to sign up for this excursion through the Eureka school of Spanish where our tour guide was none other than Angel Luis Peña, the director of the school. He gave us an expansive tour of the museum and its most prized possession, Guernica, the most famous painting by Pablo Picasso. Angel explained to us the dark history that went into creating this masterpiece. It was a moving experience witnessing this piece, I admit I shed a tear from how impactful it was. Art is sacred in Madrid. I encourage all newcomers to visit the Prado Art Museum and others.