Max Mittelberg
I was lucky enough to study in Madrid for the Fall 2024 semester as a part of the STEM program. I was able to take the required classes I needed (Organic Chemistry 1 and Cellular Biology) while still getting to experience Europe. Throughout my three months abroad, I traveled to eleven different countries and took advantage of several different destinations in Spain. In addition to staying on top of my course load and traveling whenever possible, I was able to explore my passions in Spain. The food was out of this world, I can highly recommend a Jamon y Queso bocadillo, and I was able to experience some of the best soccer I have ever seen. Vamos Atleti!
My parents played a key role in helping me step out of my comfort zone and pursue the abroad experience. Both of them went abroad during their respective college careers, and they ended up meeting because of it. When faced with the ultimatum that I could either go abroad early or not at all, I was skeptical. I had always planned to go abroad junior year like most students. My parents convinced me to go and I’m very appreciative that they did.
There were a few good surprises that presented themselves over the semester. When choosing to come to Syracuse, I fell in love with the campus, but I had never seen the appeal of going to school in a city until I got to Madrid. The city was so interconnected and easy to navigate, and there were new things to do every day. Madrid is also home to 90% of all abroad students in Spain, about 40,000 in total. It was so incredible meeting students from all over the world, and in my case, rooming with a student from a different university. I started meeting people at the airport before my flight out and didn’t stop until I left Spain.
One thing I want to continue to develop is my Spanish speaking skills. Living in a country that speaks a different language forces you to immerse yourself fully in that language. Without realizing it, my Spanish improved by leaps and bounds. I want to continue this trend while back in the U.S. There are so many opportunities to speak Spanish here and I want to take advantage of as many of them as possible. While it may not be considered development, I want to continue supporting Atletico de Madrid as well. I fell in love with their culture and ended up attending six of their home games.
