Case Study of Madrid – Alexandra Paredes Spencer 2026

When I first arrived in Madrid, the idea of spending an entire academic year communicating exclusively in Spanish felt as daunting as it was exciting. As part of my Spanish and Linguistics degree at York, I spent my year abroad based in the Spanish capital. Looking back now, the transition from classroom theory to navigating daily life in a bustling European capital has been the single most rewarding part of my degree, and the financial backing from the John Speak Language Trust played a huge role in allowing me to throw myself into the experience completely.

At the start of the year, my biggest hurdle was overthinking. I found myself mentally constructing every sentence, translating word-for-word, and worrying about making small grammatical slips. However, living in Madrid quickly forced me out of that habit.
Academically, my time was spent working through complex portfolio tasks and academic reading that required a far higher register of Spanish than I was used to. Spending hours studying in local spots like the Biblioteca Joaquín Leguina or Biblioteca Iván de Vargas in La Latina meant I was constantly immersed in an environment where Spanish was the default.
Out in the city, the real breakthrough came from the mundane, everyday tasks. Dealing with local housing representatives, sorting out administrative paperwork, and managing property checks when moving out forced me to advocate for myself in Spanish. Over time, I noticed a real shift: I stopped translating in my head and started responding instinctively. I began picking up on local idioms, keeping up with fast-paced conversations on noisy outdoor terraces in Chamberí, and handling everyday hiccups without that initial wave of panic.

Integrating into life in Madrid was easily the highlight of the year. I made a point of avoiding the easy option of staying in an international bubble, choosing instead to dive into the local rhythm. Whether that meant experiencing traditional processions during Semana Santa, heading down to the Pradera de San Isidro for the May festivities, or taking quick, affordable day trips out to Toledo, I felt like I was actually living in the city rather than just passing through.
Living independently in a second language builds a specific kind of resilience. You learn to laugh off the awkward moments when you mispronounce something, and you gain a genuine sense of accomplishment when you handle a tricky situation completely on your own.

If I could give a few pieces of advice to students preparing for their own John Speak scholarship placement, they would be:
Embrace making mistakes: Nobody expects you to be perfect from day one. Native speakers are almost always patient and appreciative when you give it a go, so don’t let the fear of getting a tense wrong hold you back from speaking.
Get out of your accommodation: Find local cafes, neighborhood libraries, and markets rather than sticking to student spots. The more you surround yourself with the local language, the quicker your listening comprehension will adapt.
Keep track of your growth: Use your monthly updates to reflect honestly on where you’re struggling and where you’re improving. It’s really encouraging to look back after a few months and see how far your confidence has come.

I am hugely grateful to the John Speak Language Trust for supporting me throughout this scholarship. The bursary made a massive difference to my time abroad, giving me the freedom to focus on my language development, engage with local culture, and return to York for my final year with a level of fluency and confidence I am really proud of.