#IPEMadrid

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Week 11: Reina Sofia and Madrid

After a crazy few weeks, it was good to settle back into Madrid and get a chance to some more local things. My week started off great, with a class visit to the Reina Sofia Museum, in which I got to see works from the likes of Dali, Picasso and others. This was a very interesting experience, to say the least. The works were very unique and different to anything I’ve seen in the past, and while I wasn’t necessarily the biggest fan, it was worthwhile to go see something new. In my opinion, however, Museo del Prado is a much better museum with art closer to my taste. Later in the week, I had the opportunity to relearn SOLIDWORKS in my dynamics class, which was both interesting and extremely useful for my upcoming internship this summer. Aside from that, I also spent time with friends going out to eat at a famous (super cheap!) taco place called Takos Al Pastor, and watch some March madness basketball. We all stayed up until 5am for the Michigan - Auburn matchup, and despite the loss, was a fun experience I won’t forget. The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and catching up on school work as I get ready for my 4 day trip to Morocco!

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 10: Music and the French Alps

Right after Dublin, I flew to Lyon, France, for Tomorrowland Winter. This festival is unlike any other and is referred to as “Disneyland for adults” worldwide. This event involves 4 days of waking up at 8 am, skiing all day, and stage hopping on the mountain before coming in at 6 pm to shower, nap, and go to more concerts at night. Like I’ve said before, I’ve kind of accepted that my time abroad means I don’t sleep much anymore (probably not the best idea), but it was worth every minute lost. This electronic music festival, to me, has been the highlight of my time abroad and will probably be one of the best weeks of my life. So many Michigan friends came together from across Europe to meet at this festival, leaving us in concerts with 10-15 people at a time. Something about being in the French Alps (Alpe d’Huez) with your best friends listening to great music brought so much happiness out of me, and I am incredibly sad that this trip is over. 

While returning to a Thermodynamics class and exam right after a trip like this may not be ideal, it keeps me grounded and focused on strengthening my academics. I’ve found myself complaining to friends and family that it feels like classes get in the way of my experience in the past, so it’s hard to remind myself that this is part of the experience. Learning material through a different lens, remaining focused on my studies, and continuing to work towards my degree all keep me appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had and remind me that life is about finding balance.

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Blog Week 9: Dublin for St. Patrick's

After spending a few rest weeks between late February and early March, one of the main trips I had been looking forward to since last October finally arrived. The first part of this trip involved Dublin, Ireland, for St. Patrick’s Day weekend. This was an absolute blast and one of the best times I’ve had abroad. Everyone from around Europe came together and pub hopped various locations, all wearing green and excited to celebrate the holiday. What was so refreshing about this, in my eyes, was the UK feel that was so different from typical Europe. It almost felt homelike in a way, which was nice considering home-sickness has started to hit at various points throughout my time abroad. Speaking English 24/7 and being able to learn/have in-depth conversations with locals was so refreshing and interesting, and something easier to come by than it is in Europe with so many different languages. Aside from the bar hopping, we were able to indulge ourselves in good food such as local fish and chips and one of my personal favorites, Nando’s Peri Peri Chicken. Food has always been one of the most important things I look for in a new city, and these two places did not disappoint. Moving away from the food and drink, my friends and I were able to take a visit to the breathtaking Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. This was very important for me to see, given my Irish heritage and religious values, and sending pictures home to my family was very special. I even was able to buy a pin of my family crest which is something I plan to hold onto for a very long time. All in all, this was a fantastic trip and a great first leg before heading to the French Alps for Tomorrowland! 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Blog Week 8

After plans for a local trip fell through, I decided to spend the weekend exploring what I hadn’t yet seen in Madrid. The reality is there is SO much to do here, and I noticed myself getting stuck in a slightly repetitive routine with class and outings, so I decided to switch it up a little bit this weekend. With spring break being this past week for UMich, a few friends who didn’t study abroad were able to come to visit, allowing them to see life abroad firsthand. My Universidad Pontificia Comillas classmates went out to dinner with our classmate from UMich, who was among those visiting. We were able to try a restaurant we hadn’t been to yet, Circolo Popolare, a trendy Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere and wonderful food + drink. I also took the opportunity to visit Mueso del Prado, one of Madrid’s, and the world’s, top museums. Fantastic works from Goya and Diego Velázquez, as well as many more, adorned the walls in the beautifully laid out halls. This was actually a class trip with my Spanish Culture class, so our teacher was able to guide us through the important works and teach us contextual information. We also have trips coming up to Palacio Real, and the Museo Reina Sofia, which I am looking forward to. Next week, I have a few friends from home also on their spring break planning to visit, and I’m excited to show them around my new home! 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 7: Trip to Lisboa

After my reset weekend, I was able to take a trip to Lisboa, Portugal for the weekend and celebrate a friend’s birthday. With most of my group scattered across Europe, we followed a similar plan as we did in Amsterdam, meeting up in one’s host city and experiencing their weekend life for the first time. I have to admit after this weekend, Lisboa has been my favorite city to visit so far. The uniqueness and character it has shows right away, introducing a completely different feeling than I’ve felt in Florence, Andorra, or Amsterdam. Additionally, just being by the water felt like a breath of fresh air. Growing up in Miami I’ve always been used to the beach, and overtime places like Madrid start to feel almost claustrophobic due to the land-locked geography. Regardless, it was a fantastic weekend. The food was incredible and all extremely cheap. Nice restaurants I walked into expecting to spend 80-100 euros always ended up costing around 50-60 a person, which is always a plus. The different bars and nightlife areas we went to all had their own unique identity to it, removing any repetitiveness which I really enjoyed. On Friday afternoon, we went up to see Castelo de São Jorge, which was somewhat of a hike through a cool maze like neighborhood, which was actually “originally designed to get lost in”. We also were able to go see the MAAT museum, with very cool architecture and interesting exhibits inside. After the MAAT museum, we had an awesome sunset sailboat tour along the Tagus River, where we were able to see the Golden Gate Bridge remake (designed by the same architect), the Christ statue “Cristo Rei”, and much of the city from a unique perspective. Our guide was awesome, sharing much of the history of Lisbon and the sights we were seeing, and engaging in great conversation. Looking forward, I plan to spend next weekend (or day-trip) in a nearby Spanish city and indulge myself more in Spanish culture. 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 6

After a long and exhausting few weeks of travel, I decided this past week I needed a break. I came home from Amsterdam absolutely wiped and had a much needed “reset” weekend. This meant hanging out on the couch and watching TV, staying in and cooking food, and saving a lot of money in the process. I also had the chance to catch up on school work, and study for two upcoming exams during the week. If you’re not careful, schoolwork can catch up to you, as it’s even harder to balance life with work than it is in UofM. While the idea with abroad has been to explore as much as possible in the short amount of time I have in Europe, sometimes it’s smart to take a step back and rest. Mentally, this also gives me more to look forward to, as well as a deeper appreciation for the experiences I’ve had so far. Even with all the new cities and things to do, I had noticed myself starting to take this opportunity for granted. After this weekend, I feel fresh, energized, and excited for what’s to come. This coming weekend, I’ll be visiting a friend studying in Lisboa, Portugal for her birthday with our larger group of friends. Flying to Lisboa is only a short (1 hour) flight, and with good weather it should be a relaxing time. All in all, I think the important lesson is to recognize when you’re starting to feel slightly burnt out, and take a reset weekend. The body can only go through so many sleepless nights and days of travel before it gets tired, and I’m glad I’ve been rejuvenated ahead of the (slightly more than) second half of abroad!

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 5: Coming to Terms + Amsterdam

This week’s new lesson has been coming to terms with life abroad, and accepting harsh realities. This reality involves understanding that you will spend more money than you think, despite hearing how cheap Europe is. Unfortunately, flights, travel, food, etc. are more expensive than you anticipate, and over the last few weeks, I’ve burned through money. My piece of advice to combat this is to try and plan/book things early in the semester, and have your itinerary prepared early on so booking can be done earlier rather than later. Most of my trips have been planned last minute, and that has been one of the main contributing factors to my high spending. With food, a big emphasis my roommates and I have had is to buy groceries and eat at home. You will be experiencing all kinds of food around the world while traveling, and usually won’t have the choice to cook, so save money for when you need to spend it, rather than in your home base.

The other idea to come to terms with (on a slightly more positive note) is that money comes back, but experiences don’t. While it’s painful to look at my bank statements, I know that in the future the money will return, but these opportunities won’t. The trade-off is hard to make, but looking back, you’ll be glad you booked that one trip you were debating skipping, or tried that one restaurant you heard all your friends rave about. 

On a more abroad update-based note, I spent the weekend in Amsterdam with friends from around Europe. We all met up for a close friend’s birthday and spent the weekend exploring the city, attending a canal tour to learn about the history, going to the Heineken Museum, and going to a house music concert on the other side of the main river. Prost! 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 4 - Making Stories

After just over a month abroad in Madrid, I have begun to fully understand the stress those older than me placed on the idea that this is the time of my life. There is no better/other opportunity I will ever have to experience this kind of journey and freedom than right now, and it’s a space for me to create lifelong memories. As my friends and I have half-jokingly said the last few days, this is “peak” life, meaning it doesn’t get better than this. With this sentiment, the main conclusion I hope any reader draws is to look, almost hunt, for any chance at making a story.

My example of this has been this past weekend. After weeks of debate and indecisiveness, my friends and I decided to finally (last minute) book a trip to ski in Andorra, and it was extremely worthwhile. We managed to get three great days of skiing in, at a mountain called Grandvalira with what felt like hundreds of slopes and runs and great apres spots all for ~500 euros. I’m a relatively new skier and was able to have a lot of fun exploring and checking out different areas due to the mountain’s easy difficulty. We also made great friends along the way, meeting other skiers from the UK, Spain, and even Pas de La Casa (a small ski town we stayed in). I couldn’t have dreamt of a better weekend, even with some hiccups along the way (and back). 

Transportation was the aforementioned “hiccups” in this trip. Our travel on Thursday afternoon took up the whole day, and we found ourselves in sticky situations multiple times, including trouble finding cabs and getting to our hotel. The way back, however, is the story I look forward to telling for years to come. While we timed everything out correctly to make our bus and connecting train, traffic, and weather on the mountain prevented us from making anything, and we were stranded for about two hours with plans of sleeping at the bus station. Luckily, we found ourselves the last 4 tickets on a bus to Barcelona, and are currently on the way to meet up with friends to watch the Super Bowl before catching the first train back to Madrid Monday morning. While I am exhausted, I’m prioritizing making stories and can survive the lack of sleep. It’s definitely worth it, and I hope readers in the future take my advice! 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

[umichenginabroad]

First Weekend Trip

Looking back on my first weekend of travel, I have absolutely no complaints and am grateful to have a host country that makes travelling so easy! 

On Friday afternoon, I was able to catch a flight with a few friends and go visit Florence for the weekend. Transportation went much smoother than I expected. Taxi to the airport was inexpensive and efficient, and security went by in a breeze. I tried to keep my weekend economical, which meant cheap flights and randomly assigned seats, but that didn’t seem to matter, especially on relatively short flights. In Florence, I was lucky enough to have two Italian friends, both fluent, to chaperone us around. We were able to get great local restaurant recommendations, enhancing the quality and providing an immersive experience we otherwise might’ve missed. We also went out to local night spots, including outdoor patios in small, winding, streets. On Saturday, we spent most of the day walking around, trying new foods, and exploring the city and its hotspots, especially places such as the famous Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, Palazzo Vecchio, and Ponte Vecchio. More local Italian restaurants and desserts had us winding down early for the night, and ready for a Sunday full of museums before our flights home. I highly recommend finding storage lockers such as StowYourBags to allow you to visit any places you missed before a late-night flight. Assuming you have to check out of your Airbnb/hotel, it gives you an extra day to explore the location you’re in without carrying around bags. After locking our luggage, we had the opportunity to visit the Medici Museum of Art, Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (GA), and the Uffizi Gallery. Pieces like the famous David sculpture and Birth of Venus were incredible to finally see firsthand and helped me dive deeper into Italian artwork I otherwise wouldn’t have seen. All in all, the experience was better than anything I could’ve hoped for, and I can’t wait for my next weekend trip to Amsterdam!

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 2 - Classes in Madrid

My first week of school has begun at Universidad Pontificia Comillas, and has been filled with excitement, adjustments, and new opportunities. While building my schedule, I knew it was important to find balance. To do this, I mixed my rigorous requirements with immersive cultural courses, ensuring balance and a continued interest. As far as my day-to-day schedule goes, I have daily classes in person, but I ensured time to travel by selecting early Friday classes. 

Classes such as Thermodynamics, Dynamics, and Material Science are the aforementioned required classes I need to take. These will prove demanding yet rewarding. I’m excited for this new challenge. The classes I’m very excited to take, however, include Spanish Culture and Spanish Culture Through Films. These will give me the opportunity to explore Madrid, learn more about Spanish history and culture, and challenge myself. Expanding on these nuanced learning styles will transform me into a well-rounded student. 

The schedule itself has taken some getting used to. Classes are longer and more spread out than UMich, but I’ve already found ways to make it work. Quick trips to nearby cafés for a coffee and snack during breaks have become a lifesaver. The campus also a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, with areas mixed local and international students. WhatsApp groupchats centered around assistance with navigating Madrid and class tips have made the adjustment smoother.

After laying the foundation for an unforgettable semester, I’m excited to make every moment count. Now that my classes are in order, I’m looking forward to travel and extracurriculars. 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Week 1: Housing + Dining

One of the most important, and stressful, parts of moving to Madrid was figuring out my housing situation. Housing was not included in my program, so I spent weeks, and weeks, … and weeks looking at different options, hitting dead ends, and rearranging my roommate situation. The important thing for me was not to get discouraged and lose faith. Even in mid-November, when most of my Michigan classmates had their places lined up, I was still searching. Eventually, it all worked out, and I am very happy living with friends from home in our current apartment. My advice is if you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t panic! 

Just a week in, I can already see how important my decision to prioritize location was, as being in Centro is an absolute necessity. Other friends living outside this area have had a tough time getting acclimated to the city, moving from place to place, and attending campus. Even if the living conditions aren’t perfect, I highly recommend prioritizing a location closer to the center of Madrid. While the city has a fantastic metro system, it can become a pain that is best avoided.

Meals have proven to be a slightly confusing topic to navigate, as it is very different from the States in a cultural aspect. Lunch is typically at 2 pm, with dinner at 10 pm. Meals include a variety of “tapas” (appetizers) as opposed to a large main dish you may be used to. My roommates and I decided early on to grocery shop, giving us options throughout the day to cook and save some money. Groceries are very cheap in Madrid; a normal $200-300 trip cost us €120. 

All in all, the best thing for me has been exploring my neighborhood early on. I have already found myself being able to put away maps during walks home as I get accustomed to the area, providing more of a home-like feel that’s a necessity early on. 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Initial Reflection

The time has finally come to begin my semester abroad in Madrid, and as I’ve settled in over the last two days, I have grown even more excited for the next 5 months. This will be THE time of my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience a new country, culture, and lifestyle. But I’ll be honest, I’m a bit nervous too. I have worries such as homesickness, getting lost, and not being welcome as an American tourist. It’s important to remember, however, that these feelings are natural, and every challenge will make the adventure more memorable. The important thing I remind myself is instead of challenges, these are reminders of what I am meant to overcome. If I don’t put myself in an uncomfortable situation, I’ll never grow. 

Looking ahead, I feel it’s important to have a few goals in mind to keep myself centered on what I hope to accomplish this semester.

• Aim to be open: I set a New Year’s resolution in preparation for this semester: Seize opportunity. Challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone and embrace whatever comes my way, providing a path for curiosity to encourage personal growth. 

• Immerse yourself: Attend local events, try different foods, and learn more of the local language.

• Explore: Try to visit a new neighborhood, city, or country every week. I likely won’t have the opportunity to travel the world with close friends again, so take advantage.

When it's time to pack up and go home, I hope to check these boxes confidently and know without hesitation that I accomplished my goals. Here’s to 2025 in Europe! 

Sebastian Wallace-Perdomo

Industrial and Operations Engineering

IPE Madrid, Spain

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Guest Blog: Engineering in Madrid, Spain

Late February is when I made my first official plans for my study abroad trip. I knew I was going to be in Spain for all of June and July of the past summer, which perfectly coincided with the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. It was the last weekend in June, and my roommate insisted that we go together. I had no idea what to expect, since I didn’t follow F1, much less been to a race. 

As the weekend approached, I had settled into Madrid. We took a train down to Barcelona the day before. The Spanish countryside whizzed past me through the window—hills dotted with olive groves and fields of sunflowers. The next morning, it was time for what would be one of the best experiences of my life. We woke up crazy early to catch the metro, because the track was pretty far outside Barcelona. I was surrounded by fans wearing team shirts and caps, some proudly waving flags for Ferrari, Aston Martin, (both have Spanish drivers) and other teams. The excitement was contagious, and I could feel the energy building as we got closer to Barcelona.

Friday was two free practices, and even without racing I could feel the excitement and smell the burnt rubber on the track. Saturday was when things really got started- there was one final free practice, and then qualifying, which determined where on the grid the drivers start. As the first round started, it was nail biting. My roommate and I each had our drivers we were rooting for, and we're dying to see if they would make it to the final round. Thankfully, they did, after a very close match up. 

Sunday was the day with the most excitement. It is impossible to describe the tense, electric feeling sitting heavily in the hot air. The morning was a whirlwind, and all of a sudden, it was lights out and away the drivers went. The crowd went wild as the cars took off, the intensity of the engines captivating every person on the circuit. I could barely sit still in my seat, my eyes fixed on every car as it zoomed past. After hours of nail-biting turns, daring overtakes, and strategic pit stops, the checkered flag finally waved, marking the end of an incredible race.

My roommate and I rushed onto the track, rushing with hundreds of other fans to see the podium. There is truly no feeling like looking up and seeing your favorite driver spraying champagne with the winners anthem. It was euphoric, and something I will never forget.

As the race ended, I made my way back to the train station with the rest of the fans, feeling like I had been part of something much bigger than just watching a race. I had witnessed the passion of Formula 1 racing live—and in Spain, no less. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I knew I’d carry with me far beyond my time studying abroad.

-Megan Gottfried

Engineering in Madrid, Spain

Summer 2024

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Reflecting - Madrid

Shaking the fogginess of my dissociated state, I draw back my to the journal in front of me, staring at the blank page, taunting me to spill the ink of my adventures and learnings from the past few weeks. 

Studying abroad, while initially daunting, is one of the best decisions I made for myself. I needed to form my own opinions of the world, to reach beyond the tattered pages of a textbook or my Instagram feed.

So I did just that. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and put myself in a new environment where I could learn more about myself, learn about the world. And it is an eye-opening experience. The adjustment was filled with culture shocks, embarrassment, headaches, and laughter. But through it all, I made new friends, had compassionate professors and acquired a team of people in my program that eagerly answered my questions. The best thing that I did for myself in this adjustment was to keep an open mind. If something felt astray, I simply would take a step back and try to understand it from a different angle.

When I found myself longing for the ease of living back home – wanting the comfort and regimen of my life in Michigan – I gave myself grace. I looked for ways to adapt to my surroundings, and turned towards journaling, yoga and cooking my favorite meals to ground myself. I also reminded myself that these frustrations and feelings of uncertainty were indicators that I was exactly where I needed to be, because it is in these new environments that we grow. There is so much that we don’t know about the world around us, and ourselves too. We must take that leap of faith, and give ourselves the chance to expand our horizons so that we might become better, more understanding human beings. There is only so much that you can capture through a lens. To feel, walk, and observe personally the world around you… it’s exhilarating.

There is much that I will bring home with me to Michigan, and as you likely guessed, I am not talking about souvenirs. I will bring home irreplaceable memories, a different lifestyle, new friends and perspectives on the world. Studying in Madrid gave me these incredible experiences. I would not trade them for anything, except perhaps a chance to do it all over again, to keep growing and see who I might become as I continue to challenge myself and my beliefs in an ever evolving world.

Many of the lessons I learned resonate with the principles of engineering and the environment. As engineers (Hello, Monica!), we must be able to understand the full picture. We must be able to see the world from diverse perspectives to understand how our designs and plans for the future could affect others. Part of this line of thinking requires immersing ourselves in new cultures so that we might be able to see where people’s ideologies, beliefs and mental infrastructures originate from and understand the impact – especially the implicit results – of our designs. There is no “one size fits all” solution to the problems vexing the world. Thus, I’ve learned that above all, we must talk with each other. We must collaborate and share the extent of our knowledge. We have one Earth, one chance at life. We must work together to achieve a safe, just and peaceful world. It is possible. 

I am incredibly grateful for those that I had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with this summer. I want to especially thank Monica, my professor, for an incredible class and guidance as I pursue new paths. I want to thank Alicia and the CEA CAPA team for all of their support, amazing trips, dinners, classes and advice. My friends – Gemma, Aidan, and Lukas – for the laughter and memories that we shared. And of course, my family, whose support of my ambition and thirst for knowledge gave me the confidence to pursue this extraordinary journey. Thank you all. I hope you had a few laughs in following my semester abroad, and maybe learned something new along the way. 

Sincerely,

Lilly

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Week 8: Saying goodbye to Madrid

Hola! Lilly from Madrid here. I am sad to accept that my studies in Spain have come to a close. It feels like I finally found my groove here. Packing and preparing for my post-study travels, I find myself thrust into the bittersweet reality of parting ways with my new friends (I will literally see them in 3 weeks) and a city that I will always be fond of. While my travels won’t end here, the pocket of time, the surreal feeling that is being abroad, is overwhelmingly over. An abrupt and chaotic ending if anything. Between finals, presentations, and an unexpected ER visit (I’m okay!) I still find myself grappling for closure.

Since I haven’t done so already, I thought for today I would go over what to expect for classes to give you a sense of what to expect as a student in Madrid. I will also add a list of recommendations for those of you planning to travel here!

The thing that I loved particularly about this study abroad experience was the balance between school and having time to explore and experience the Madrileño culture. Plus, no class on Friday!

My schedule was as follows:

Mondays and Wednesdays:

08:15 am - Calculus (3 hour block, with small break)

12:00 pm - Sustainable Development (or elective)

Monday - Thursday:

12:00 pm - Sustainable Development (or elective)

Although the early mornings were tough, it kept me productive. I found it a little difficult to maintain focus in Calc for that duration, but I much preferred having this class only twice a week. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, lunch is typically the most important meal – the most filling at least – and wasn’t served until 1:30. This was perfect because I would get out of class just in time, then head back to take a quick siesta, which was when everything closed anyways. I love my power naps, and the built in time is during the hottest part of the day, so I never felt guilty for taking the time to decompress. Especially considering that Madrid is so vibrant and active at night. 

As promised, here is a list of some of my favorite things to do in Madrid, as well as my favorite neighborhoods.

Things to do:

Roam - It seems obvious, but I tried to wander around a different neighborhood each week. So many neighborhoods, not enough time.

Hang out/Picnic at parks - El Retiro is the most famous in Madrid, but there are so many in each neighborhood.

Nightlife - This is a huge part of Madrid culture. Grab a sweet treat and hang out with some friends in a Plaza or tapas bar.

Hiking - There’s “hiking” (more so just trails) in Casa de Campo, or catch a bus to Cercedilla. The mountains in the national park are super accessible. 

Cooking classes - These are super fun. I can make paella now :)

Concerts - Be sure to check if your favorite artists are in town. We also loved going to an orchestra performance!

Watch the sunset with friends. A good spot is in the grass across from the royal palace, but there is a better one… I cannot recall the name.

Go to the markets - El Rastro is the famous Sunday market, and I recommend going as early as possible (9:00 am I believe). San Miguel is popular, but on the more expensive side. San Fernando is more of a local spot in Lavapies, and has good Tapas. 

Travel! Madrid is centrally located, and it’s easy to take a quick day trip by bus/train. We took advantage of having three day weekends, and visited many cities throughout Spain. Flights are typically cheaper as well if you were looking to travel around western Europe. Psst trains are the best! Use Omio to look for routes, it is typically cheapest here. 

Food from a cafe, and a sunset from a plaza.

Neighborhoods:

Malasana - Best for fun nightlife

Usera and Lavapies - These are multicultural communities with AMAZING food options. 

**City center - Stay away… there are lots of tourist traps and it is super expensive. There are some famous dessert places that are pretty good though.

Moncloa and Arguelles - This is where my classes were. These were nice areas with SO many restaurants, cafes, and fruit stands. It was very affordable to grab coffee between classes (Logic Coffee has amazing beans and makes a killer matcha latte) or enjoy a menu del dia. I think the most I paid for lunch here was 12-15 euro, and this included a beverage, two courses, and dessert or coffee. A steal!

I lived in Cuatro Caminos, but I preferred other neighborhoods. My favorite coffee shop in the area was Green Cafe, and there was a Gelateria close by. Otherwise, I would hang out elsewhere. 

This is just to name a few! I feel like I barely scratched the surface in Madrid. I hope you love the city. I have but one post left. See you soon :)

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Week 7: Sustainability in Madrid - Pt. 2

Hello and welcome back! As promised, I have compiled a list some of my favorite ways to travel and live sustainably. These are some of the things that I did when I was in Madrid and traveling around to reduce my impact.

Bringing my water bottle with me – This might seem most obvious, as most people at Michigan already bring their own bottles to class, but it’s important – most of the waste of a plastic bottle occurs upstream before you even buy it! Madrid has some of the BEST tap water in the world, and you can find drinking fountains everywhere around the city that consistently have good water. Even the bathroom tap water is good!

Reusing jars – I unfortunately did forget my reusable “ziploc” bags for snacks and things, so I started collecting jars. Yogurt containers are great for storing any leftovers, and any glass jar makes for a great coffee mug!

Using your own coffee cup – I was unsure if they would allow it, but my favorite coffee shop let me use my own jar for coffee. This is a great way to stay circular and limit your waste impact! Most of the time coffee is a social outing, so you use the glassware there. But for those caffeine pick me ups between class I would always have a jar on me. Fun fact, most paper coffee cups aren’t even recyclable because they have a plastic liner on the inside :(

Walk – The beauty of living in a big city, especially Madrid, is that everything is walkable. Madrid is considered a 15 minute city, meaning everything you could need is only a 15 minute walk or bike ride away. I even opted to walk to class because it was more efficient than taking the metro. 

Compost – Don’t forget to compost your food scraps! Madrid has a really good waste system, so it’s really easy to compost and recycle everything.

Fruit stands – I love that it is super easy to find fresh produce (and mostly locally grown) produce on every corner. Instead of buying fruit at a Día or Carrefour (the most commonly found supermarkets), opt to support the local economy and get any produce from your favorite fruit stand. Just make sure to politely let them know that you want to skip the plastic bag!

Tote Bags – this is an essential item, and it’s easy to pack! This is multifunctional and is great for groceries, school, a picnic, or just a day bag in general. Heads up, they charge you for plastic bags in Spain, so this is a great alternative.

Picnic lunch – I happened to have a little break between my classes, so I would bring my lunch (in one of my reused containers of course) and find a nearby park to decompress and refuel.

Clothes – Fast fashion is everywhere in Spain, and I beg of you to resist the temptation, (trust me) don’t buy from companies like Zara or Bershka if you can avoid it! If you forgot something, or are in the shopping mood, check out the vintage stores in Malasana, or find a Humana (there are so many of these) instead. 

Traveling – If you plan on traveling for a weekend, opt to take a train if possible. Prices will be cheaper if not the same as a flight, and oftentimes trains are a much more efficient even if the journey is a little longer. Plus, you don’t have to worry about luggage fees etc. Madrid has two stations, and I recommend using Omio or Trainline for booking trips. If I haven’t convinced you already, traveling by train also reduces your carbon footprint substantially!

Packing up and Leaving – instead of throwing away things like non-perishable foods, clothing, or household goods, find a local charity or ask the school if you can donate things for future students!

Picture 1 - Staying hydrated and enjoying the view of the Clerigos tower in Porto, Portugal. Picture 2 - I loved bringing my tote bag with me everywhere. I could carry my water, a fan, and my wallet. An added bonus: it's easy to keep close to you, so the risk of being pickpocketed is significantly lower. Lucky to say I haven't had any issues with this!

These are just a few tips on how to reduce your impact abroad, or even things you can do back in Ann Arbor! Remember that sustainability is going to look different for everyone. We don’t need everyone doing zero waste perfectly, but a lot of people working to make small changes to their current habits. I hope you learned something new and try these recommendations out! Good luck, you’ve got this :)