Buenas! Again, my name is Serena, and I’m a junior participating in the GW Madrid program. I am wrapping up my time here in Madrid in two weeks. Since my last post, I have travelled to the Canary Islands, Portugal, England, and France. Many of these trips were with friends from GW! In the photo, Thyra, David, Ryan, and I took a dip in the ocean while in the Canaries! My mom visited me from D.C. during spring break and we had the best time in Barcelona. I recently finished up my GW Madrid classes but still have to take the final exam for my direct enroll class at UAM. I am taking 18th/19th Century Art in Spanish, which is definitely a challenge, but I have been practicing with my host mom. As an art nerd, I have been visiting a few exhibitions in the center of Madrid and a little outside. I definitely am becoming a little homesick but not for the D.C. metro, as I frequent my favorite Línea 1 a few times every day. I am so grateful that I was able to visit other Spanish cities, as every city in Spain has a different story with a different culture. I recently came back from Valencia where I had the greatest paella with chicken and beans after I enjoyed swimming at the beach. Before arriving, my goal was to visit different regions of Spain, and I feel as though I have checked off a good amount of them. I am not looking forward to being without free olives on the restaurant tables, so I will have to make sure to bring some back with me. Overall, my time abroad has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. Not only was I able to learn more about Spanish culture but a lot about myself as well. I will be up for a shock when I don’t have to great everyone with “buenas” anymore or when the dinner time changes back from 10 pm to 7 pm. Not to be cheesy, but I would say that my time was life-changing. I just returned from having some tapitas with my host mom and she is currently helping me pack my suitcases that weigh way too much. While I will miss her the most, I am so excited to tell my family and friends about my experience! Anda, adiós!!!
Serena Martin
GW Madrid
Spring 2023
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major