Getting out of My Comfort Zone in Madrid

By: Ava Maloney

“If it’s out of your comfort zone, then it’s probably good for you.” That was the text that I had received from my friend after I had told her that I was considering studying abroad— but I was nervous to commit. Four months later with only one week left in Madrid, I often think of that text. If you are reading this blog post, I’m assuming it’s because you’re either a supportive family member, or you are potentially studying abroad. And, if you are anything like how I was, you have zero expectations for what’s to follow a daunting decision. Hopefully my experience can give you a bit of insight and more importantly a bit of inspiration. 

There are universal experiences to be had when you venture outside of your comfort zone— especially in a foreign country. If you choose to study abroad in Madrid, you can expect to have a learning curve when it comes to understanding the metro. You may find yourself going in the opposite direction, or you may accidentally discover a new neighborhood. Either way, it’s a metric that measures your  improvement. Over the past several months I have accumulated a list of moments which were far beyond my comfort zone— and they were more mundane than you may think. For example, my first grocery store experience was quite horrible. My friend and I unknowingly went to an express grocery store to do a sizable amount of shopping. Additionally, we were unaware of the fact that, at some stores, you have to weigh your own produce and print out your pricing. To make a long story short, we found ourselves holding up a line, where a Spanish woman did not hesitate to express her frustration. I could not make out a single word besides “los americanas.” I remember feeling overwhelmed and flustered. It may have been one of the first times where I could not express myself. To be honest, it gave me anxiety to go grocery shopping. Little did I know that that moment would become a baseline to see my confidence increase during my time abroad.

I think it is worth noting that your experience abroad diverges from others on behalf of your goals. For me, I had a very specific goal: to learn Spanish, which often made me uncomfortable. Because truthfully, you can live in Madrid without speaking a lick of Spanish. Especially through the CIEE program, you will find yourself surrounded by kids from other American universities— who will make great friends. However, because I had set this goal for myself, it propelled me into situations that challenged me. I had little confidence in my Spanish speaking skills but wished to push myself. For example, one time my friend and I were standing outside of the Prado Museum which had a long line. We were curious to know why the line was so abnormally long. I saw the opportunity to ask someone in my broken Spanish. The man responded with, “Es gratis.” I simply remember standing there with a blank stare for what felt like five minutes. After repeating himself several times he finally said “It’s free.” Again, I found myself embarrassed. But in hindsight, it was a moment to grow, and I now will quite literally never forget what that word means.

So what’s my point? I have learned that the most fulfilling opportunities in life come from putting yourself outside of your comfort zone. Because truthfully, out of every grand experience I have had abroad, which ranges from traveling to different countries, late nights clubbing, and many aperol spritz’s, I found the most rewarding and memorable experiences when I was able to effectively communicate in Spanish. I felt proud of myself, It showed that the embarrassing moments I endured had paid off. If only I could go back to that first time at the grocery store, because at this point, I’m certain that I could have helped her out.

If you are interested in studying abroad, then you may have a curiosity for exploring other cultures. You also may be willing to put yourself outside of your comfort zone— which is imperative for your study abroad experience! I recommend picking a goal. Maybe you wish to develop your language skills, maybe meet international friends, or discover a new hobby. Either way, one of the most rewarding feelings is documenting your progress along the way. I wouldn’t trade this abroad experience for anything in the world, and from now on will always advocate that if it’s out of your comfort zone, it’s probably good for you!

EXPLORE MADRID