During the second semester of 2025, I had the opportunity to study abroad at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid from January until June. Before arriving in Spain, I tried to keep in mind the famous quote from Anthony Bourdain: to “be a traveler, not a tourist.” With this mindset, I hoped not only to see famous landmarks but also to immerse myself in Spain's culture, language, and daily life. Looking back now, I believe that my time in Madrid and the many other places I visited allowed me to accomplish that goal in ways I did not initially expect.

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Before leaving for Spain, my main goal was straightforward: improve my Spanish. As a dual major in International Business and Spanish at Clemson University, I wanted to strengthen my ability to communicate professionally and academically in Spanish. To challenge myself, I enrolled in four courses taught entirely in Spanish at Universidad Carlos III, one of the most prestigious universities in the Madrid region. At first, the experience was difficult. As a non-native speaker, the speed of classroom discussion and the level of vocabulary used by my classmates, many of whom were fluent, felt overwhelming. During my first month, I often struggled to follow conversations and contribute meaningfully in class.

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However, my goals began to shift as the semester progressed. Improving my Spanish was still important, but I realized that language learning also meant embracing cultural discomfort and using Spanish in everyday life. I made a conscious effort to speak Spanish whenever possible, whether that meant asking strangers for directions on the metro, speaking with classmates after lectures, or interacting with local restaurant workers and shop owners. These interactions exposed me not only to new vocabulary but also to social cues and cultural norms that cannot be learned in a classroom. By the end of the semester, my learning goals had evolved from simply improving my Spanish to developing a deeper understanding of how language connects to culture and human relationships.

 

Living in Madrid also gave me the opportunity to observe cultural similarities and differences between Spain and the United States. One of the most noticeable cultural aspects was the Spanish emphasis on community and social interaction in daily life. In the United States, social interactions often revolve around planned activities or work schedules, and daily life can feel structured and fast-paced. In contrast, Spanish culture seemed to prioritize shared experiences and time spent together.

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One moment that perfectly illustrated this difference occurred when a massive power outage affected Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. My roommates and I woke up to a completely dark apartment with no electricity and little information about what had happened. When we walked outside onto our terrace, we saw hundreds of people gathered on the street, talking with neighbors, sitting on patios, and leaning over balconies. Rather than reacting with panic, people seemed to embrace the situation by spending time outside and talking with one another. My roommates and I followed their example and moved our chairs onto the terrace to enjoy the warm afternoon.

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This experience highlighted an important cultural difference: in Spain, public spaces are often extensions of social life. Even unexpected situations became opportunities for connection. At the same time, I realized that this emphasis on community was not entirely different from the United States. While Americans may express it differently, the desire to connect with neighbors and share experiences is universal.

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The power outage also led to one of the most meaningful experiences of my entire time abroad. While we were sitting on the balcony, an elderly woman from across the street called out to us in Spanish. At first, we could not understand what she was saying, so I went downstairs to speak with her. She explained that her elderly sister was stuck at a physical therapy center because the elevator in her apartment building was out of service. She asked if someone could help her sister walk up six flights of stairs.

 

I agreed to help and accompanied them back to the apartment building. The process of helping her climb the stairs took nearly two hours, as we had to carefully guide her step by step. After we finally reached her apartment, I expected to leave and rejoin my friends. Instead, the two sisters invited me to stay with them for a while. Although they spoke no English, we spent the next two hours talking in Spanish, sharing food and drinks, and exchanging stories about our families. At one point, I even showed them photos of my grandparents and discussed our shared Catholic backgrounds.

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This experience was meaningful not only because it allowed me to help someone in need, but also because it demonstrated how language can create genuine human connections. Even though my Spanish was imperfect, it was enough to communicate, laugh, and share personal stories with people from a completely different generation and background.

Another experience that shaped my perspective occurred at the end of the semester during a visit to Salamanca. After finishing finals, I spent a week with the family that had hosted my aunt when she studied abroad many years earlier. When I arrived, I met their twin son and daughter, who were both my age. Although they spoke no English, we quickly realized that we shared many interests and perspectives. They introduced me to the historic city of Salamanca, brought me to local tapas restaurants, and introduced me to their friends. Later in the week, I joined them at their family home in a rural area outside the city. There, I experienced aspects of Spanish life that most tourists never see: horseback riding in the countryside, hunting with local friends, and long family lunches followed by afternoon siestas.

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These experiences also shaped how I thought about myself. As an American abroad, I became more aware of how others perceived me and my culture. At times, people were curious about my background, my university, and life in the United States. These conversations encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my identity and the role culture plays in shaping how we view the world.

Studying abroad also enriched my academic experience at Clemson University. Taking courses entirely in Spanish forced me to develop stronger listening, reading, and communication skills in a professional academic setting. I learned how to engage with complex ideas and participate in discussions in a second language, skills that will be valuable in international business environments.

Additionally, living in Spain gave real-world context to many topics I had previously studied in the classroom. Concepts such as intercultural communication, globalization, and international business practices became much more tangible when I experienced them firsthand. Observing everyday interactions, cultural traditions, and social norms helped me understand how cultural awareness is critical to international business relationships.

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Ultimately, my study abroad experience changed the way I think about travel, culture, and personal growth. I left Spain with stronger language skills, but more importantly, I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and openness to new experiences. Whether helping an elderly woman during a citywide blackout or forming friendships with people who spoke no English, I learned that meaningful connections can happen anywhere when you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

By approaching my time abroad as a traveler rather than a tourist, I was able to fully immerse myself in Spanish culture and build experiences that will stay with me long after graduation.