University of Wisconsin–Madison

Spain: Megan Schwartz (Our global classroom)

What most international students from the United States, that I have talked to, would say was the first big change that they noticed at Comillas (the university, Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid) is the way people dress.  Coming to class in a t-shirt and sweatpants is a no go.  The students and professors here alike dress very nice, wearing polos and khakis and long skirts and blouses.  Something that you would not catch me dead wearing at UW-Madison, but I adjusted quickly and have started to love looking a little nicer every day.

People sit in chairs at tables with laptops and notebooks out, looking towards a projector screen with a map of Europe and a person presenting.
This is a picture in my Supply Chain class! The dresswear looks a little different than at Madison.

The first day of 0school I was overwhelmed and confused when there was a cluster of students standing outside of the doors.  I thought to myself, is there a fire drill or something what is going on?  Turns out that many of the Comillas students hang out before, between and after classes right outside of the gates and just talk.  Many will also go and get food in-between classes at Bergantiños.  My “spanish buddies” who are Comillas students and are assigned to a group of us international students, took us there and now it has become part of my routine as well.

While eating in between classes is common and a fun thing to do, eating in classes is not allowed at all.  Our professors told us that eating in class is very disrespectful in Spain, and it is not allowed.

The classes that I am taking are in English, and many of the professors’ first language is Spanish.  Many times I am the only American in my class so the professor will turn to me and ask if they are using the correct English word.  It is also interesting being asked to provide insight to life in the United States, because it feels like a lot of the time I don’t even know the answer!  For example, I have been asked to share what the United States timetable is, like when we would wake up, eat breakfast, go to sleep and more.  And it is difficult to answer!  It has also been very interesting to learn about other countries view on the United States and on America.

 

Megan smiles in front of an orange-brown door.

Meg Schwartz

Hometown: Middleton, Wisconsin

Major: Industrial Engineering

Program: Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid GE3 Exchange