I had the incredible opportunity to spend nine months studying abroad at the academically rigorous Complutense University of Madrid, taking classes in the Economics and Business Science Faculty.
It was without doubt one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of my life.
I’ve grown personally, linguistically, and culturally, and now that the year is over, I can hardly believe how fast it’s flown. I’ve grown so used to life here that returning home feels daunting, and I’m already experiencing the early signs of reverse culture shock.
8M event/march with friends
Before arriving, I was apprehensive. The idea of attending lectures entirely in Spanish with native speakers, despite years of studying the language in the UK, felt overwhelming. But I knew the only way to truly improve was full immersion, embracing every challenge as it came. Now, Spanish no longer feels like a subject I study but a language I live in. It’s wild to remember how exhausting full days of Spanish used to be.
Academically, my classes gave me the chance to explore modules I’d never have been able to take back home. Studying economic policy, history, and international institutions through a Spanish lens gave me a fresh perspective on global issues. The teaching style was more lecture-based, with group presentations, oral exams, and continuous assessments rather than only a final exam at the end of the semester, and the requirements to pass were very strict. It was a big shift, but it helped me learn in a more collaborative and detailed way.
From the start, I chose to live in a flat with Spanish students, and it was the best decision I made. They were endlessly patient and welcoming, and helped me integrate both linguistically and socially. They became my second family. Through language exchanges and spontaneous encounters, I met people from all over, including Latin America, Europe, and beyond, who enriched my experience just as much as my university classes did.
Some of my fondest memories come from picnics in El Retiro, getting lost in the El Rastro flea market, chatting with vendors, and attending random pop-ups, celebrity events, and free concerts that gave me a real feel for Madrid’s community spirit. These everyday interactions were some of the best practice I could have asked for, especially in improving my listening and fluency.
Undoubtedly, this year wouldn’t have been the same if I had not had the support of the John Speak Trust.
These monthly blogs and recordings gave me a structured way to reflect and improve, while the financial means allowed me to say yes to experiences I’d have otherwise missed, from exhibitions and cultural events in Madrid to unforgettable trips to Toledo, Segovia, Granada, Seville, and Barcelona. Thanks to the Trust, I got to see Spain far beyond the classroom and truly experience life as if I were a Spanish person (images from left -> right: Granada, Seville, El Escorial)
Above all, from this journey, I have acquired a deeper appreciation for the Spanish language and a whole new perspective on life. To anyone considering applying to the John Speak Trust, I can’t recommend it enough. This year abroad has been transformative, and I leave Madrid with my heart incredibly full of memories, growth, and gratitude.
˖ . ݁.୨୧ ݁₊
As the saying goes: De Madrid al cielo, from Madrid to heaven. Once you’ve lived here, nowhere else compares.
Day trip to Segovia