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, Computer Science + Business + IAFS student, and Global Grant recipient, is spending Spring 2026 in Madrid, Spain through the program. He has been thoroughly enjoying Madrid through it's architecture, community, and history. Read his experience below!

"I landed in Madrid a month ago. It's hard to believe I'm already a quarter of the way through, but looking back at each day, I've learned and done a surprising amount. Most days have brought a new lesson or challenge - usually both.

The first thing I noticed, and still notice, is the culture of community here. Groups of people sit at tables, talking, at any hour of the day, often for two or three hours, with no sense of rushing. It's rare to see someone working on a laptop at a café. Work here is treated more as a means to an end rather than the other way around, and seeing that contrast up close has been one of the more striking parts of being here.

In my classes, I've been studying the EU and local architecture, and travel has let me apply those lessons directly. Learning about the , then crossing borders and observing its effects firsthand, made the material far more concrete. The architecture in Madrid is remarkably intentional: a range of distinct styles that still feel cohesive across the city. Similarly, studying art history before visiting the and seeing works by Picasso and Dalí gave those pieces more context and weight than they'd have had otherwise.

My first month here has been excellent. I've traveled, explored, and absorbed more than I expected. Looking forward to making the most of the next few months."