“Stepping outside my comfort zone taught me how much I can learn and who I can become when I let unfamiliar places, languages, and people shape me.”
Why did you choose Madrid for your study away semester?
I chose Madrid because, as a political science major at that time, I was curious to extend my understanding beyond the Middle East and explore European political, social, and historical contexts firsthand. I also wanted full immersion in Spanish, both academically and in daily life, and the chance to explore, learn from, and genuinely connect with a new community and culture.
Major: Social Research and Public Policy
Semester Away: NYU Madrid
How did your semester abroad experience shape your understanding of Madrid and the world?
My semester abroad reshaped how I understand politics, identity, and belonging by pushing me to experience them in a new cultural and linguistic context. Navigating daily life in Spanish taught me how to build meaningful cross-cultural connections despite language barriers, while living independently helped me grow more confident and self-aware. Academically, the experience inspired me to take on SRPP as a double major, allowing me to better connect political structures with social realities and refine my long-term academic and professional goals.
What was the most meaningful part of your study abroad experience, and why?
One of the most meaningful parts of my study abroad experience was a road trip with fellow NYUAD students to small towns like Ávila and Salamanca. Getting lost together, singing in the car, stuck in bad weather, trying local food, and wandering through historic churches and castles made the experience feel deeply memorable. It was in those shared, spontaneous moments that I felt most connected to the place and the people I was experiencing it with.