I wasn’t in as low of a level of Spanish practice that I thought I would be in! Yesterday was my first day of class and it went really well. For the month of September, we have three classes a day of culture and language. I like all three of my professors very much. Everyone in my class is from America except one boy who is from Brazil. After class I met some other students, and it’s great to know that it’s not just American students who are enrolled in the intensive language program. I’ve met some new German friends who would like me to help them with their English.

Today was my first really difficult day. I couldn’t go to class because I had to go meet my boss at my internship. My program director and I went at 10:30 and weren’t seen until about 11. At that time we were told the boss was on vacation and I’d have to come back next week. I was very upset! I felt that was extremely rude to not only make us wait, but if he wasn’t going to be there, he should have rescheduled. My program director didn’t seem fazed. She wasn’t shocked about waiting and it seemed totally appropriate to reschedule. I am trying to let my American punctuality and intense responsibility go, but I would much rather have gone to class and learned something today than waste my time. The only thing that was accomplished was me finding a uniform, which was a disaster. My black flats don’t have high enough of a heel, so I have to buy a new pair. They didn’t have my size in skirts, so I have to buy one of those too. They only thing they have for me is a blouse from the 80’s with shoulder pads. It is very frightening to look at! But I am hoping this will be a good experience. My first task will be to make phone calls, which terrifies me because my Spanish isn’t perfect. Hopefully after this language intensive program I will feel a significant progression.

Tomorrow we move to our apartment. Finally! It’s been great staying in the center of Madrid, but I’m ready to live in an apartment and finally feel like a resident of the city and not a guest. It’s much closer to school, too, which is great since class is at 8 am. We have a long weekend this weekend, so my roommate and I are planning a longer trip to Granada and Sevilla. I’m very excited!

Attached is a picture of the Palacio Real

I have finally arrived in Madrid! After all the planning and me counting down the days, it almost doesn’t feel real. But here I am, and what an adventure it has already been! In just a day and a half staying here, in the center of Madrid, I have seen so many differences between Spain and the USA, as well as faced many challenges. While I have studied the Spanish language for many years, I am very unfamiliar with the Spanish spoken in Spain. I am also unfamiliar with talking to native speakers who speak much faster than teachers. I am trying wherever I go to speak the best I can, and fortunately everyone has been very helpful. It is so shocking at how well everyone I have encountered can speak English and how easily they can identify me as an American. It’s unfortunate that most foreigners cannot find the same type of help when they are in the United States.

My new roommate and I had quite a difficult time finding a place for dinner on our first night. We had not adjusted to the jetlag and time change and, while we are aware most Spaniards eat much later than Americans, we thought for sure we’d find something reasonable at an earlier hour. It was, however, very difficult! I am finding that my summer of being a vegetarian might prove impossible here. Great Spanish cuisine seems to be full of ham and fish. I have found a few things for a vegetarian, and they’ve all been delicious. Finally, at the end of the night we were unsure what to tip. I know that it’s not typical to tip here in Spain, but as an American who has relied on tips in the past, I would feel too guilty not too! On our bill of 27 Euro, we left a 5 Euro tip. When we met our program director the next day, she informed us that we tipped way too much! She insisted that it is not disrespectful to tip only 1 Euro, unless the service was outstanding, and then 2 Euros would be appropriate. It seems shocking, but she assured me that is the proper behavior.

Today I explored the center of the city, and I can see how truly influential it is as a European city. The Palacio Real and Plaza Mayor have breathtaking views. I am excited to start exploring other parts of the city and other parts of Spain. I am also excited to begin my routine here in Spain. This program is truly a very independent experience. There are just two of us enrolled through EPA, and together we had to find our way from the airport to the hotel. We are also moving into an apartment with two other Spanish students. We will take the bus every day to class or the metro to our internships. Today our program director informed me that I will be interning at a five star hotel here in Madrid. I have always had an interest in the hospitality industry, so this will be a very interesting experience. Tomorrow we take our language placement exams and then being our language classes for the first month before we start regular class and our internships. I am worried I will be placed in a lower level class because my Spanish is not as strong as I’d like it to be, but I am excited either way to really start to grab the language in this country. I am so excited to see what’s to come!