My Semester Abroad at SLU-Madrid
Spending a semester abroad at Saint Louis University's campus in Madrid, Spain was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the vibrant Spanish culture while also enjoying the comfort and community of an American university abroad.
I stayed at the Tirso de Molina apartments through Marli House (one of the many off-campus housing options) and cannot recommend it enough. The residence was cozy, organized and homey. One of the best parts? Breakfast and dinner were provided Monday through Saturday, delicious homemade meals that gave residents a true taste of Spanish cuisine and made our study abroad experience so much easier.
Getting around Madrid was incredibly convenient thanks to the Metro. It was quick, inexpensive and made the entire city (even the airport!) easily accessible. Speaking of airports, since I only had classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (a dream of a schedule), I took full advantage of my long weekends to travel. Every weekend was a new adventure. I visited cities like London, Dublin, Venice, Paris and Lisbon. Each trip introduced me to new cultures and cuisines and left me with great memories. Within Spain, I explored SLU-tastic cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Toledo and Segovia, each rich with its own history and unique charm.
Even though I didn’t speak Spanish, I quickly learned how easy it was to communicate using a translation app on my phone. Whether I was ordering food, asking for directions or chatting with locals at a market or café, the app helped bridge the communication gap. People were incredibly kind and patient, and that made all the difference. I picked up some basic Spanish phrases over time, but I never felt held back by the language barrier.
Translation tools came in handy even more when I traveled outside of Spain. In Paris, for example, I realized I had completely forgotten the French I had learned in high school, but once again, my phone saved the day! I relied on my translation app to navigate restaurants, museums and transportation — and to my surprise, it worked like a charm.
More than anything, my semester abroad taught me how adaptable I can be. It gave me the courage to venture into the unknown, to explore new locations by myself or with friends and to be open to the unexpected. From late-night churros in Madrid to getting a little lost (and loving it) in Venice’s winding alleys, every special moment of my time studying abroad added to a semester I’ll never forget!
Srinidhi is a senior at Saint Louis University studying health management on the accelerated masters in health administration program. She is originally from San Jose, California.