Hey! I am going to be studying in Madrid for a full year starting in September. I realize that many of you have already spent some time studying abroad in Spain. Undoubtedly, there are certain things that you wished you knew going into the semester, which you would eventually have to learn the hard way. So, what advice would you give me? What are the things that you wish you knew then? Any advice will be taken to heart. Thanks!

I know I'm not giving advice right now, because I will also be completing my study abroad in Spain next year, but I just want to give props to all the people from Boston here. Welcome!!!

1) Pack light and don't bring your best clothes. Take diverse clothes in that you want options for clubbing, dressy dinners, casual days, sightseeing, etc. But do not bring too many of each thing b/c between wearing things for a week straight while traveling or spilling stuff on your clothes, once you get back to the States you will never want to see them again. Then you can leave the junky clothes there and have room for souvenirs.
2) Don't bring toiletries with you except the trial sizes which are great for traveling. They have everything we do there, except anit-perspirant. Definitely bring that.
3) Try all the food, and don't necessarily ask what it is first. You might not like everything but your señora will appreciate you trying it, and you will probably end up liking more than you thought you would.
4) Get an intercambio: a Spanish student where the 2 of you get together and speak English for part of the time and Spanish for part of the time.

If I think of more tips I will post them!

Get the Intercambio! I can't emphasize that enough. Not only will they help you with your Spanish, they will be an easy way to make friends with at least one local. It really gives you the opportunity to meet a Spanish student, and usually their whole circle of friends, and basically just get integrated into the life much quicker.

Have fun.

where can you find an intercambio? is there a web site or something?

All of those were great suggestions. Packing light is the biggest. Take all your basic stuff. Anything you could need is always there.
Making friends is also key thing to do. A Spanish student can introduce you to people and take you places that will make your experience so much better.
Just try to blend in with the Spaniards and see everything you can in your time there. When I was there I tried to do everything and there are still so many places I want to see.

Good luck!

I just want to agree with what's been said re: meeting Spanish people! DO IT!! Don't be one of those people hanging out with a crowd you could just as easily meet at your local mall. You might enjoy making new American friends, but REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE!! Not to pick on American friends, because of course they are wonderful...but they are also the easy, default group of pals. Don't do the easy thing...if you make friends with another nice American student, work together to find Spanish friends!

My friend Gloria (as American as apple pie, and likely to say things like, "mi pelo es muy frizzy" when attempting to speak Spanish) and I went out nearly every night in Salamanca with a large group of Spanish friends. We could maintain our comfort level by not being the only Americanas in the crowd, but could also have great talks with our new friends. You'll never really know Spain if all it is for you is a group of people in Penn State sweatshirts complaining about how you can't get good Chinese food in Salamanca (yes, I met them there in March of this year, really!).

It took a good kick from my mother back during my Salamanca semester to get me out of my narrow focus. She told me (via phone from America--I didn't take her along or anything!) to go out, have a few beers, and meet some Spanish people (the beers were to get me over my "stage fright" about speaking Spanish!). She was right. So here's your kick, ahead of time, so that you don't forget!

CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!!

Tara,

Apparently your Momma knew how potent Spanish beer is. After downing about three of those beauties, I'm ready to enter the bull ring.

One night I even made friends with a big ugly cat with one eye, half an ear missing, and a tail that looked like it had been run over by a train, after downing four of them.

I spent my night in the bathroom with my head in the facility. If it hadn't been for my wife, who sat by my side and kept me from drowning, this story would never have been told

Yes! Spanish beer is a good ice breaker!

The next night, we returned to the same outdoor bar/restaurant. I was surprised at how many friends I made the night before, and didn't even remember.

Someone told me I was doing the flamenco that fateful night. My wife said it didn't resemble it in the least

Wolf

Hey! Thanks, you guys!

Expressdance: Yeah, props to Boston! Which University are you studying abroad through?

Majesty: Great suggestions! Thank you very much! Your suggestions were more helpful than I had even anticipated receiving!

Lomo and kk: Thanks. I will definitely make a full effort to meet and hang out with native Spanish students!

Tara: Thanks for the kick!

Wolf: Hahahahahaha... I hope to carry on your drunken awarkward Flamenco
tradition.

-Matt (Boston)

Yeah Wolf, I must admit, your story definitely rules. I've taken flamenco courses, and I can definitely say that its really tough even when you're not drunk! Boston, I attend the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. I'd say we have a really lame excuse for a Spain exchange program here. Anyone who is advanced only has the opportunity to spend the semester in Oviedo. I personally wanted more of an urban feel, and I decided to look into programs for Sevilla. I finally decided on a semester long program with CEA, and it looks really great! What university are you at in Boston?