Spain: Paige Meyer
Program: WIP Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spring
Major: Global Health; Spanish
What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?
Being abroad was a reminder that good people exist everywhere; there is always someone out there who will greet you with a smile and a helping hand. Madrid, in particular, was a lovely city to live in because interacting with “strangers” (I put it in parentheses because I think it’s impossible to be a stranger there) in public is very normalized. I was often stopped and asked about bus routes or the location of the nearest grocery store. Restaurant staff loved to inquire about where I was from or where I learned Spanish. In the same beat, I was never afraid to ask questions or share a little chat with someone while out and about, waiting in line at the store, etc. The people are genuinely curious and care about what you have to say. It was a beautiful display of the humanity and goodness that exists all around, and it will continue to inspire me and influence the way I move about the world.
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
As a Global Health and Spanish student, my time in Spain—and travels to other countries— has further opened my eyes and heart to the multitude of ways people live and thrive throughout the world. It’s one thing to study about these topics or do a project on them; it’s another to witness them and participate for yourself. People anywhere are people everywhere: at the end of the day, everyone wants to care for their children, have a full stomach, and lie their head somewhere dry and clean at night. Before studying abroad, I already cared about others and their quality of life. However, seeing them with your own two eyes brings a whole new sense of meaning, and it certainly deepened my passion for learning more and advocating for these groups. It was even more proof that we live in an increasingly globalized world, and our mentalities and policies need to reflect that. I look forward to working towards those goals and approaching my future career with greater nuance and perspective.
As a Global Health and Spanish student, my time in Spain—and travels to other countries— has further opened my eyes and heart to the multitude of ways people live and thrive throughout the world.
What is the moment you are most proud of?
One of my proudest moments—albeit silly-sounding—was when I was able to navigate the metro without relying on my maps. Madrid is considered to have one of the most robust and efficient transit systems in the entirety of Europe. Along with that comes a slight learning curve—especially coming from a city like Madison, where buses are the main mode of transportation. Memorizing routes and stops came with time, as well as learning proper etiquette (always stay on the right side of the escalator, and to really “fit in”, get up and be ready to dash before the train doors open). I feel very grateful to have lived in a city with such expansive and generally accessible transportation.
What is a custom, food or tradition from your host country that you are taking forward?
Attitudes towards meal times, as well as casual meetups with friends, are two big parts of Spanish culture that I will take with me moving forward. In Madrid and beyond, meals are an excuse to catch up with the people around you and simply enjoy each other’s company. You can easily spend 2-3 hours eating a few shared plates and talking about any and everything, from family to politics. Furthermore, restaurants and waiting staff aren’t in a hurry to serve you and rush you out; there is also a mutual understanding that the bill is only available upon request/when your waiter has time.
This taught me a lot of patience and appreciation for what eating could mean beyond just nourishment. Even more, it was quite common to see terraces at restaurants and bars filled between 7-10pm every day of the week. It’s around the time of day when the heat finally subsides and you can enjoy a few hours with your friends, neighbors, and family before dinner. Enjoyment and leisure aren’t just reserved for the weekends. The days are long and filled, but many still prioritize seeing the people they care about and sharing a laugh.