By: Jessica Chen
Hi USWIB!
My name is Jess Chen, and I’m one of the NYU Madrid study abroad liaisons for this semester! I’m currently a sophomore concentrating in Finance and Statistics, and minoring in Global Public Health. I’ve already been in Madrid for almost a month, which is crazy to even think about. So far, I’ve traveled to several cities in Spain including Barcelona, Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Málaga, and Córdoba. However, for my blog post today, I will be talking about some lifestyle differences between New York and Spain in areas like food, culture, and more. A lot of this took me by surprise – so stay tuned!
Hi USWIB!
My name is Jess Chen, and I’m one of the NYU Madrid study abroad liaisons for this semester! I’m currently a sophomore concentrating in Finance and Statistics, and minoring in Global Public Health. I’ve already been in Madrid for almost a month, which is crazy to even think about. So far, I’ve traveled to several cities in Spain including Barcelona, Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Málaga, and Córdoba. However, for my blog post today, I will be talking about some lifestyle differences between New York and Spain in areas like food, culture, and more. A lot of this took me by surprise – so stay tuned!
1. Cafes: Here is one thing for sure: if you love coffee, you will love Spain. Coffee is delicious, cheap (latte will be between 1-2 euros), and everywhere. My favorite type of coffee has been “café bombon,” which is basically strong coffee with a bit of sweet condensed milk. However, if your favorite way to drink coffee is iced coffee, then you might find yourself struggling a bit. Unless you go to a nearby Starbucks, you will have to ask for “hielo” (ice in Spanish) on the side with a hot coffee or latte in order to get the iced coffee experience. When at a cafe, try churros with chocolate or bread with tomato and olive oil – my favorites!
2. Restaurant Food: In New York, there is the luxury of having all types of food from different cuisines open around you at nearly any time of the day. Although Madrid does offer almost every type of food given that it has diversified over the years, not having great ramen places on every corner was definitely an adjustment for me. However, it has been really great trying Spanish food. Most Spanish restaurants serve “tapas,” which are basically small dishes that you share with your friends. They consist of everything from croquettes and fresh jamon to Spanish tortillas and tasty seafood. If Spanish food isn’t your favorite, I would say that some other popular cuisines in Madrid are Italian and Asian (specifically Thai and Japanese).
3. Grocery Stores: Groceries are cheap, and supermarkets are everywhere. Generally, Madrid will have any basic groceries for a better price than in New York. There are even Asian grocery stores where I’d get frozen dumplings, noodles, and sauces that remind me of home. Another note is that fresh-squeezed orange juice is more popular than “normal” orange juice in Spain, and grocery stores offer the best price: a bottle for less than 2 euros. Normally, you’d use the orange juice machine and fill up a bottle yourself. No more $7 fresh-squeezed orange juice from Whole Foods…
3. Grocery Stores: Groceries are cheap, and supermarkets are everywhere. Generally, Madrid will have any basic groceries for a better price than in New York. There are even Asian grocery stores where I’d get frozen dumplings, noodles, and sauces that remind me of home. Another note is that fresh-squeezed orange juice is more popular than “normal” orange juice in Spain, and grocery stores offer the best price: a bottle for less than 2 euros. Normally, you’d use the orange juice machine and fill up a bottle yourself. No more $7 fresh-squeezed orange juice from Whole Foods…
4. Schedule: Generally, everything happens later. There is a period of time in the late afternoon when many restaurants close for a break (usually between 4PM and 8PM); however, one misconception is that this is the case for all eating places in Madrid. Usually, cafes, grocery stores, and more casual restaurants will not close for this break. Additionally, people generally eat dinner later, go out later, and wake up later. Personally, I’ve found myself adjusting to the Spanish timing of things, but it is definitely not necessary.
5. NYU: The courses I am taking in Madrid are Foundations of Finance, Management and Organizations, Intensive Spanish, and Spain & the EU. Everyone who studies abroad in Madrid is required to take Spanish – don’t worry, there’s a level for everyone! I personally love learning Spanish because it helps me around Spain, and I’m starting to remember a lot from high school. The NYU Madrid staff are incredibly kind, and both the residence and school staff hold many events for students. For example, this semester, NYU Madrid is taking me on an overnight trip to Bilbao and Elciego.
6. Transportation: There is a pretty convenient metro in Madrid, but it’s not as fast as the New York metro. The metro in Madrid is much cleaner, bigger, and also very easy to navigate (especially with Google maps). Everyone here gets an unlimited metrocard for 20 euros/month, but if you’re feeling lazy one day, you can also take an uber. Many ubers are pretty cheap (i.e. all of my ubers during the day have been 5.50 Euros), but it definitely depends on the time of day.
My experience in Madrid so far has been exciting, different, and overall pretty amazing. Madrid is a very vibrant city with a ton of culture and definitely a lot to offer. Feel free to add me on Facebook if you have any more questions about studying abroad in Madrid. Until next time, USWIB!
5. NYU: The courses I am taking in Madrid are Foundations of Finance, Management and Organizations, Intensive Spanish, and Spain & the EU. Everyone who studies abroad in Madrid is required to take Spanish – don’t worry, there’s a level for everyone! I personally love learning Spanish because it helps me around Spain, and I’m starting to remember a lot from high school. The NYU Madrid staff are incredibly kind, and both the residence and school staff hold many events for students. For example, this semester, NYU Madrid is taking me on an overnight trip to Bilbao and Elciego.
6. Transportation: There is a pretty convenient metro in Madrid, but it’s not as fast as the New York metro. The metro in Madrid is much cleaner, bigger, and also very easy to navigate (especially with Google maps). Everyone here gets an unlimited metrocard for 20 euros/month, but if you’re feeling lazy one day, you can also take an uber. Many ubers are pretty cheap (i.e. all of my ubers during the day have been 5.50 Euros), but it definitely depends on the time of day.
My experience in Madrid so far has been exciting, different, and overall pretty amazing. Madrid is a very vibrant city with a ton of culture and definitely a lot to offer. Feel free to add me on Facebook if you have any more questions about studying abroad in Madrid. Until next time, USWIB!
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