As a 21 year old University student studying International Business with Spanish, the opportunity to spend 18 months abroad perfecting my language skills was and is an amazing opportunity. The first half of 2013 found me in the north of Spain, studying at the University of Oviedo as part of an Erasmus semester. However I am now living and working in Madrid within the International Purchasing Department of the world famous NH Hotels for my placement year.
I started my “practicas” here at the NH head offices in June and since then I have become at one with the life of a “Madrileña”! And I look forward to giving you an insight into my Spanish adventure over the next 12 months.
As you can imagine my first few weeks in Madrid were spent exploring, tasting, walking, asking and ultimately getting lost. I quickly learnt that my Spanish guide book didn´t do the city justice and that the best way to fully experience Madrid is to stay for longer than a weekend, submerge yourself in their way of life and take advice from a true Madrileño – luckily I am able to do all of the above! Within the first few weeks my Spanish friends had taken me to see a controversial Bull Fight at the Plaza de Toros, experience the Gay Pride Festival, and watch a legends football match at the incredible Bernabeu stadium.