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I found myself captivated by the rhythm of Spanish life, the street scenes, the cultural quirks.
Valentina Garbelotto, Duke in Madrid (Spring 2025)
What was your most memorable class activity?
One class activity that really stood out to me during my program was our trip to Madrid's Barrio Lavapiés. Before this, I had only been near the area when I visited El Rastro, the famous vintage market, so I hadn’t truly explored the neighborhood. But visiting with our class opened my eyes to just how vibrant and diverse Madrid really is.
We wandered through its narrow streets lined with colorful street art, multicultural restaurants, and local shops. The atmosphere felt entirely different from the typical tourist spots. It felt like stepping into a separate world, even though the neighborhood, like many others, is beginning to feel the effects of gentrification.
One of the most memorable stops was the Escuelas Pías de San Fernando — a former church that was bombed during the Civil War and left in ruins, later transformed into a stunning public library. Inside, the soaring arches and preserved architecture gave it a magical, Hogwarts-like feel. It was incredibly cool to see a space so full of history repurposed into something accessible to the entire community.
We also got to sample some delicious Middle Eastern food and visited a small Pakistani grocery store, where we got a glimpse into the daily life of some of the neighborhood’s immigrant communities. At one point, we passed a community garden filled with greenery and scattered children’s toys, a powerful sign of how tightly knit and caring this neighborhood is, even within a bustling city.
This visit gave me a completely new perspective on Madrid. It helped me connect not just with the city’s history, but with the lives of the people who will continue to shape it after I have left.
What was your favorite excursion?
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As someone who’s lived in a few different places, I always ask myself, “Would I live here?” when visiting a new city. Some cities were immediate yeses, some no’s, and others left me with a question mark. But Spain’s País Vasco will always hold a special place in my heart, even if I never get the chance to move there.
The region was a stunning blend of natural beauty and rich history, from its turquoise beaches to the rugged coastline and maze-like streets. Our professor & guide Nacho gave us the historical context we needed to fully appreciate each place we visited, while still letting us soak up the city on our own terms.
A highlight was the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Its architecture alone was breathtaking, yet the exhibits were just as impressive. What fascinated me most, though, was the Basque language. Its survival despite Spain’s complex history is remarkable. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the Basque people’s resilience and their culture.
Where were your favorite places in Madrid?
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Retiro Park is Madrid’s Central Park, with its serene ponds, tree-lined paths, and shaded benches perfect for a picnic. While I’m not a big runner, Retiro makes it easy to enjoy a jog with all the beautiful paths and calm scenery. It was the perfect balance of relaxation and a little bit of exercise.
On the other hand, the Temple of Debod was my go-to spot to just sit back and reflect. The ancient Egyptian temple, with its views of the city, made it feel like I was stepping into another world, and I spent a lot of time there just soaking it all in. I even discovered a newfound love of watercolors here at an Urban Sketchers meeting.
For coffee, Café Comercial is the go-to spot near Duke in Madrid’s office. It’s this old, classic café with such a cool vibe, and while a little pricey, the chocolate with churros is worth waiting for. When it came to studying, the circular library at UC3M was amazing, though it was a bit far, so unless I was already there, I usually ended up at my homestay’s dining room table. While not as fancy, it was super comfy and convenient for getting through assignments.
And if I wanted something extra special, Cine Yelmo Palafox Luxury was the place to go. The interior is gold and marble, with waiters who bring popcorn — or hamburgers — right to your seat. The seats even turn into beds, which made for the ultimate movie experience.
Madeline & Valentina pose in front of Ale Hop, one of Spain's most famous chain variety stores, with its iconic cow protected from Madrid's rainy day.
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Mom's trip to Spain! Taking on el Barca's stadium (rival of my home city's Real Madrid, don't tell Nuria).
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Homestay activities = lovely guests + amazing feasts.
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Why did you decide to do Duke in Madrid?
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Almost a year ago, I stumbled across my first episode of Machos Alfa, a Netflix comedy set in Madrid that follows a group of middle-aged friends as they awkwardly (and hilariously) navigate what it means to be a modern man. I didn’t expect much, but I was instantly hooked. What started as light entertainment quickly turned into a research project. I found myself captivated by the rhythm of Spanish life, the street scenes, the cultural quirks, and I began to wonder... is life in Madrid really like this?
Before I knew it, I was trying to figure out student visas and exploring the study abroad programs in Spain. As an Argentine, I share the language, but I was most fascinated by how different our day-to-day lives, expressions, and even slang seemed to be. And so, my initial curiosity turned into the goal of living in Madrid myself and experiencing those differences firsthand.
What advice do you have for students considering this program?
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Are you hoping to take classes Duke doesn’t offer? Improve your Spanish? Explore a new city every weekend? All of that is possible through Duke in Madrid! Yet, my biggest piece of advice is to be intentional from the start. Decide what kind of experience you want to have and prioritize it.
Whether your focus is academic, cultural immersion, or travel, trying to do everything can leave you stretched thin. If you’re most excited about the classes, reach out to professors beforehand (their emails are in the UC3M syllabi). If travel is your priority, plan ahead: start mapping out your weekends and booking tickets as soon as you arrive.
The months will fly by, but your energy won’t last forever. Be honest with yourself about what you want to get out of the experience... and build your time around that.