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At first, it was intimidating to figure everything out, but I quickly gained confidence—even just doing my weekly grocery shopping contributed to my sense of self-reliance.
Charlotte Reedy, Duke in Madrid (Fall 2024)
Why did you choose Duke in Madrid?
Duke in Madrid offered the perfect blend of everything I wanted in an abroad program. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to go to a Spanish-speaking city, as well as a big city that has a ton to explore. Madrid, of course, was perfect for this.
As for why Duke in Madrid specifically, I could tell that this program would really push me academically, without being overwhelming. For the advanced program, my classes were in Spanish: 2 at the Duke in Madrid center and 2 at Universidad Carlos III Madrid. As someone who has studied Spanish since elementary school, I was excited for the challenge that all-Spanish classes offered.
The Duke in Madrid professors and directors are all incredibly understanding and helpful, and I knew that their support would make the transition to studying in a different language and culture much smoother. They were always available to clarify course materials, provide guidance on academic projects, or even just chat about adjusting to life in Madrid.
Beyond academics, the program offered 4 different trips throughout Spain: Seville/Cadiz, Galicia, Toledo, and Segovia. These trips were planned very thoughtfully to give us a deeper understanding of Spain's history, while also giving us a ton of free time to explore and enjoy on our own.
How did the experience help you grow?
The main skill I wanted to work on during the program was my Spanish, both comprehension and speaking. While I definitely saw improvement in both areas, the most striking difference was in my Spanish comprehension. It was incredible how quickly taking classes solely in Spanish forced me to adapt to understanding the language in real-time.
At first, it was hard to keep up with lectures and discussions, but as the weeks went by, I really noticed myself processing information more naturally. It was a super rewarding, and when I came back to the states I even found myself feeling strange not having to think in Spanish anymore!
Also, my independence and self-confidence grew so much during this experience. Living in a big city like Madrid meant navigating public transportation to commute to class, as well as communicating with locals. At first, it was super intimidating to figure everything out, but I quickly gained confidence — even just doing my weekly grocery shopping contributed to my sense of self-reliance. By the end of the program, I felt much more capable and self-assured.
What class activity made a big impression on you?
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My favorite class activity during the program was the cooking class we could sign up for as a part of our Cultural Passport activities. Everyone in the program had the choice of certain cultural activities throughout the semester, and this was one of the ones I got to sign up for!
The staff at A Punto taught us to prepare traditional Spanish dishes like Arroz Negro, Berenjenas Fritas, Mejillones, and Tortilla de Patata. Not only was I exposed to foods I may not have tried otherwise, but they were all DELICIOUS and it was one of the best meals I had in Madrid.
It was a super involved class — everyone got assigned a task to do so that no one was just observing. Also, we got sent all the recipes after so we could make everything on our own!
Duke in Madrid Cooking Class
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Cliffs of Vixia Herbeira in Galicia
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Class Excursion Flamenco Show
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Trip to Cedeira while traveling through Galicia
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At a lookout over Toledo during a tour on a Duke in Madrid program excursion
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Where did you love spending time in Madrid?
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In Madrid, my #1 favorite coffee shop and study spot (right near the Duke in Madrid center and my apartment) is called God Cafe. The ambiance is so relaxing and cool, and they have specific tables reserved for working on laptops.
As for restaurants, I am sensitive to gluten, so I made it to a ton of gluten-free bakeries and cafes for breakfasts. My favorite bakery was Chök, which has both gluten-free and non-gluten-free locations. They have delicious cinnamon rolls (I definitely recommend the pistachio one!!!). The best variety of tapas is 100% found at Mercado de San Miguel, they have quite literally everything there. My personal favorites are the Tortillas de Patata.
My two favorite places to be in nature in Madrid are Parque del Retiro and Palacio de Cristal de la Arganzuela Invernadero (which is a huge greenhouse). In Parque del Retiro, my favorite thing to do with visitors is to rent out a little rowboat on the pond! Its only about 6 euros and makes for the best pictures.
What advice do you have for future students?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone thinking about Duke in Madrid is to really take advantage of the program trips and activities!! It might be easy to make them feel like chores since they’re “required”, but they were honestly some of the most memorable parts of my abroad experience. The trip to Galicia specifically was SO amazing, especially because it took me to a part of the country that I probably wouldn’t have visited on my own. Also, the trips really bonded us as a program.
Also, enjoy living in Madrid! Explore the city as much as you can — visit museums, try new restaurants, and wander through the different neighborhoods. And, considering how central Madrid is within Spain, make use of the incredible transportation options for quick trips to nearby cities! I took a solo trip to Valencia, which was just a train ride away, and it was a fantastic way to see more of Spain while being able to explore at my own pace.