Spain: Emily Sulka (A Home Away From Home in Madrid)

Program: Saint Louis University-Madrid, Fall

Before moving to Madrid, I knew my daily life would be different, but I did not realize how quickly the things that initially felt strange would become the things I look forward to most. The biggest adjustment was definitely the schedule. I had always heard about the famous Spanish “siesta,” but I did not realize how much the day here operates on a completely different timeline. Trying to go somewhere in the middle of the afternoon only to realize it is closed has become a pretty normal occurrence. Somehow, eating dinner at 9:00 p.m. also feels completely reasonable now, which is something I definitely could not have said before coming here.

My roommates and I have even created some routines of our own. At least once a week, we go to Tiki Taco for their one euro tacos. It is nothing fancy, but that is exactly why I love it. It has become one of those little traditions where we can sit together, catch up on everything that happened that week, and eat probably way too many tacos.

On the weekends, I love going to El Rastro, Madrid’s famous open air market. Walking through all the stands reminds me of the farmers market back in Madison. Obviously, the two are very different, but there is something familiar about spending a weekend morning wandering through a crowded market and seeing what you randomly come across.

One thing I knew I would miss about being away during the fall was football season in Madison. There is nothing quite like the energy of a Badger game day, and it definitely feels strange not being there for it. But Madrid has given me a completely different version of that excitement. Instead of cheering on the Badgers in Camp Randall, I now get to experience a city that lives and breathes fútbol and cheer on Real Madrid. It is a pretty cool trade off and another reminder that some of my favorite routines from home have found completely new versions here.

I think those little connections are what have made Madrid start to feel like home. I no longer have to check my phone for every Metro stop, I have favorite places to eat, and I recognize streets that once all looked the same to me.