IF NOTHING ELSE, DON’T FORGET TO PACK: “Extra cash in the country’s currency. You don’t want to get to land in the airport and not be able to get a taxi to your new home.”

ON SECOND THOUGHT, YOU CAN LEAVE AT HOME: “You can leave at home your extra clothes. Take 7-8 days worth of clothes so you can do laundry once a week.”

WHERE TO LIVE: “I lived in a homestay, but I would probably have liked an apartment/dorm more. I was definitely immersed in the language at the homestay, however, having more freedom and autonomy while abroad would be nice.”

BEST PLACES TO EAT: “You have to take a trip to Granada and eat at tapas at the bars! They come free with a drink!”

FAVORITE CULTURAL ACTIVITY: “I usually don’t care too much for museums, but the artwork at the Prado and Reina Sofia were really amazing.”

BEST PERSONAL HIDEOUT: “I know, I know, I’m super American. They have Starbucks in Madrid and it was the one place I could escape to that felt like home.”

FAVORITE PLACE TO STUDY: “Studying at Starbucks was also the best set-up for me.”

MUST-TRY LOCAL DISH: “Tinto de verano is perhaps the best drink ever. Why they don’t have Tinto or even lemon Fanta in the United States is beyond me.”

BEST PHOTO OP: “Take pictures at the Alhambra in Granada!”

BIGGEST FAIL: “My biggest fail was was getting sunburned at the beach.”

BEST PURCHASE: “I bought some coca-cola when I felt homesick and that made me feel better.”

MOST INTERESTING CLASS: “The Spanish culture class was the best class at Comillas. Being able to learn about Madrilean and Spanish culture while living where all of it takes place is amazing.”

BEST PART OF THE PROGRAM: “The best part of the Comillas program was being able to speak Spanish with natural speakers without them automatically switching to English.”

MOST MEMORABLE TRIP: “My favorite trip was going to Granada with one of my best friends from high school.”

BEST LOCAL EVENT/HOLIDAY: “The best event was Madrid Pride. It was the center of Spanish LGBT culture and happened to be a fun festival!”

FAVORITE LOCAL WORD/SLANG: “!Que guay! (it means “cool!”)”

IF I COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN… “I would stay in an apartment and read up on what to do in Spain before departure more.”