Taking Charge of Your Year Abroad

A year abroad is a scary thing. Leaving my home country, my family and my friends behind to start a whole new life abroad entirely from scratch was definitely the most daunting thing I've ever done. Lots of things can happen while you're away that are totally out of your control and can make you feel small, weak and worthless. Maybe your flat-share is a nightmare, you fail an exam, you get your wallet/phone stolen or you get shouted at in a shop for not understanding...

The trick is to grab hold of the things that you can control and mould them to your liking! A year abroad is a fantastic opportunity to try new things, meet new people and explore the world. You're the one who has to live through this year so don't let a few sad/disappointing moments get you down; take charge of your new life!

Your attitude needs to be positive from the start; maybe you're a little disappointed with where you were placed by British Council but I can assure you that every destination has its pros and cons. The first step is to do some research on where you'll be heading and see what takes your fancy. Grab a piece of blank paper and a pen and write down anything that you want to do/experience on your year abroad. This has to be things that it's entirely down to you to achieve - don't write things like "make lots of new friends" or "become totally fluent in Spanish/French etc" as these are either reliant on other people or not easily measured/ticked off.

For example after reading a few guidebooks on Madrid I wrote:

Go salsa dancing
Go to a Jazz club
Practice using my Camera/photography
Start clarinet lessons
Visit Segovia and Toledo
Take up a sport
Keep a year abroad blog
Keep in touch with the other students from my uni

By setting these targets for myself it helped me feel like my time away was worth something - my first couple of months abroad may have been a bit difficult but at least I managed to visit my first ever Jazz club. After my original list was ticked off I started writing a new one every month with all the things I wanted to experience in Madrid before I came home. Not only did this mean that I was filling my free time productively and enjoying myself, it also helped me to keep track of the time I was away and ultimately got rid of my homesickness completely.

It's all very well making lists of fun things to do, I hear you cry, but what about the serious stuff? What if I hate my job, I have no friends, my flatmates are awful, my language isn't improving or I don't understand my lecturers? Well, the same positive attitude needs to be applied to these situations. After about 3 months abroad and a good few sleepless nights and teary Skype calls home I honestly remember sitting down and writing a list that began with

1. Make work less rubbish
2. Find a new flat.

My internship hadn't been advertised and when I actually turned up to the office I found I was being given hardly anything to do. This made me feel so useless and like it had all been a waste of time but I made up my mind to improve things and by making sure that I consistently asked for new tasks everyday I was gradually given more responsibility. Though I was also lucky in that my first internship only lasted 6 months and I managed to find myself a new one working in a huge bookshop on Gran Vía. Likewise, the first flat I moved into had seemed perfect but after a couple of months it was clear I had made a mistake; we all lived in fear of the landlady's daughter who would shout at us like children if we so much as left a bowl in the sink. I made up my mind to move and I did. I'm not saying any of this is easy, the month of flat-searching that followed was the most stressful time of my year abroad, but I'm so much happier now that I took charge of my own situation. I now live in a little flat in a great location with 3 lovely housemates and am loving the rest of my time here in Madrid.

If you're not happy with the way your time abroad is going - change it! I know this is much easier said than done (believe me I do) and sometimes downright impossible. But this article is about what is possible. If you're hating your time away for reasons outside of your control then there's not much that you can do but endure it. If, however, you can make a positive difference to how things turn out then take the plunge! Ask for help from your lecturer, find a new flat, stand up for yourself at work, join that new club or get yourself a fun language exchange partner - you won't regret it! The year abroad is about setting off on your own personal adventure and it's you who charts the course.

(This article has just been published on thirdyearabroad.com, to see the article on the website just follow this link -  http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/home/item/2642-taking-charge-of-your-year-abroad.html)

El Mercado de San Miguel

I've actually been back in England's green and pleasant land for just under two weeks now but, what with visiting people, checking on my house for uni next year and generally doing a whole lot of nothing much at home, this blog has been taking a bit of a back seat. Don't worry though; soon you'll be treated to the obligatory long, emotional end of year abroad reflection but for now here's a post on one of the most famous food markets in Madrid - El Mercado de San Miguel.

 

 

Housed in an old cast iron and glass building just off Plaza Mayor this market is a must see on any trip to Madrid.



 

 

 

 

 

 

A foodie's paradise, San Miguel is packed with people and its stalls are heaving under the weight of the delicacies on offer. Great salty hams hang from the walls, shining fish are nestled on beds of crushed ice and all manner of gorgeous, bite-size tapas stand in rows under glass covered counters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you're after a huge Spanish lunch with your family or friends then look elsewhere. Table space here is scarce and prices high. What San Miguel is perfect for, however, is a few tasty morsels of authentic Spanish cuisine munched while wandering around and taking in its sights and smells. Why not follow up your jamón with something sweet? Multicoloured macaroons, crunchy almonds drizzled with golden honey, shining custard tarts dusted with cinamon and refreshingly creamy frozen yogurt are all on offer alongside much more:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fruit and vegetables here are almost unbelievably perfect; good to look at but far too overpriced to eat.

 

 

 

 

 

Dotted throughout the market are drinks stalls carrying iced bottles of beer and huge fish-bowl sized gin and tonics. Nobody can visit Madrid and not try a mojito of some sort:

 





A beautiful old building with gorgeous food, a buzzing atmosphere and an incredibly central location, El Mercado de San Miguel really can't be ignored. If you're visiting Madrid even for a couple of days be sure to visit this impressive temple to all things food.

Top 3 Rooftop Bars in Madrid

One of the best things about Europe is its café culture; the warm weather often leads to a wave of chairs and tables spreading out onto the pavements and plazas. In Madrid, to maximise the space, things have also spread upwards to the rooftops and it's here that you can find the best views, music and atmosphere on a summer night. After managing to visit a few during my time in this lovely city I thought I would list my top 3 rooftop bars to give you an idea of where to head when in need of a drink.

1. El Círculo de Bellas Artes - La Azotea

Without doubt the most famous rooftop bar in Madrid is on top of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. If you visit one of the bars on this list make it this one! Although the fame comes with a hefty price tag (it costs 4 euros for a ticket to just get up to the terrace let alone buy a drink...) on a hot summer night it's definitely worth it. With panoramic views of the city, comfy lounge areas to lie down and enjoy a mojito or two, a chilled soundtrack and an atmosphere that leaves you ready to start the night this is the place to be! Try to arrive a little before sunset to watch the sky burn fiery orange and the city become a sea of lights.

 

 

 

 

 

2. El Palacio de Cibeles/Comunicaciones

 

If, as is often the case, you can't get a space at the Círculo then this is your next best option - literally within sight while standing on the terrace (see the picture above) is the Palacio de Cibeles or Palacio de Comunicaciones. Though it doesn't quite reach the lofty height of the Círculo's 7th floor you still get a great view of the Plaza de Cibeles all lit up at night and, as you're a little lower, the chance to people watch! There's a wide range of cocktails on offer to sip as you enjoy the view and plates of nibbles to munch on. The only less than good thing about this bar is the music - techno beats turned up high. Try and get a table round to the side overlooking the plaza; better views and not so loud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. El Viajero

 

Last, but by no means least, on the list is El Viajero. This is a somewhat different affair to the swanky Círculo or Palacio. Small and cosy with lovely views of the San Francisco and San Andreas churches, El Viajero is the place to come and enjoy a relaxing drink with friends. Draped in hanging baskets full of plants of every kind and equipped with gentle mist fans this is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down. Their food isn't up to much but their mojitos are famous.

 

 

 



 

So here ends the roundup of my top 3 rooftop bars in Madrid. I hope you've found some inspiration for your next night out in the city and enjoy sipping your drink while taking in those gorgeous views!

(Literally) Cool Places in Madrid

It's now the last week of June here in Madrid and the temperatures have soared. Once a fairly toasty 32 degrees the thermometer on the bus stop outside my flat now reads in the early 40s. This isn't lovely, sunhat and ice-lolly holiday weather this is lie down in a darkened room with a fan on at full blast and pray it cools down soon weather. You know things are getting serious when even the city itself can't take the heat and the plants shrivel while the tarmac melts into a shiny black mess. Things have gone beyond sitting in the shade with a cocktail - you need to be in an air conditioned space NOW! Here are a few of the places I've found that, while still providing some interest, will keep you from roasting where you stand:

1. Museums

 

 

One of the nicest ways to spend an afternoon is in one of Madrid's many museums. Depending on what you fancy there's something to suit everyone from ancient artefacts, to modern art, to books, or even waxwork celebrities. Though full-price tickets can often seem a bit steep there are options for students (make sure to take your ID card) and sometimes designated free opening times (check online for info). A couple of my favourites are the Museo Arqueológico Nacional and the Museo Reina Sofía.

2. The Cinema

When the heat is at its highest, round late afternoon, what could be nicer than sipping an iced drink in the cool darkness while watching the next box-office hit? Being a capital city Madrid has plenty of cinemas dotted around the place so they're easy to find. The two that I normally go to are Cine Princesa near Plaza de España and Cine Ideal just along Calle Carretas a little way back from Sol. Wednesday is the best day to go as tickets are significantly cheaper (around 5 euros instead of the usual 9 or 10) and it's something fun to do mid-week. You can check which films are available online; many show English Language films with Spanish subtitles (these are labelled VOS on the posters). Don't worry if the film you're desperate to see hasn't come out abroad yet, it generally will though sometimes a month or so later.

3. Indoor Shopping Centres

I can hardly believe I'm including this on a supposedly "fun things to do" list, I find shopping pretty stressful, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Throughout the year if I've seen anything I like in a shop window I've usually just let it pass...too much hassle. Now, though, as it's now or never I've reluctantly decided to take the plunge and GO SHOPPING! After my first disastrous trip round the centre of Madrid in the full heat of the afternoon I thought there had to be a better way and there is - indoor shopping centres! My favourite is Principe Pio. Here you can find all the main highstreet stores and many more without the baking heat and screaming children. What's more it's right next to the metro mouth for Principe Pio so involves barely a minute of sweaty walking between the air conditioned train and a shopper's paradise. As it's coming to the end of June most shops have got their sales on and I have to say that despite myself I had quite a good time mooching around here the other afternoon.

4. Madrid Snow Zone

If you really can't bear the heat any longer and are yearning to be far away where the breeze blows through the mountains and the pine trees are sparkling with frost then your best bet is to visit Madrid Snow Zone. This indoor ski slope is the closest you're going to get to the chilly north while stuck in Madrid. From about 35 euros you can hire all the necessary gear and spend about an hour and a half whizzing down on real, ice cold, snow. The journey to Xanadú, the out of town shopping centre that houses the slope, may be a bit of a chore in the heat but once your breath is forming misty clouds in front of you, you'll be glad you made the effort.

Those are a few of the places I've found to take refuge in during the hot summer here in Madrid but I just thought I'd end with a few common sense tips on keeping cool in the city:

How To Beat the Heat!

• There's a reason the Spanish take a siesta (they're not just being lazy). The heat gradually builds throughout the day until it becomes unbearable around 4-5 o'clock. Follow their lead and take it easy in the afternoon; planning on doing anything other than relaxing over a late lunch and staying inside until the heat dies down a little is just asking for trouble.
• If you're lucky where you're living has air conditioning. If not BUY A FAN! You won't be able to survive otherwise...
• Be sensible and take the precautions you would in England - wear a hat, slap on the sunscreen and carry water everywhere you go - there's nothing worse than getting a headache and feeling sick due to sunstroke.
• Stock up on all things icey! I'm talking ice cubes, ice lollies, ice packs. Half fill your water bottle the night before and leave it in the freezer; next morning you'll have a ready supply of chilled water. Leave a jug of water in the fridge to use throughout the day.
• Keep your windows CLOSED!! This may sound counter-intuitive; you want fresh air right? Not in summer in Madrid; the air outside is hotter than inside. The only way to keep your apartment cool is to keep the windows closed and the blinds down throughout the day. Then when you get back from uni/work turn on the fan and only open the windows when there's a noticeable drop in the outside temperature.
• When out and about you'll often see people, especially women, carrying wooden hand-held fans. There's some debate about whether these are worth it or not with some claiming the action of fanning yourself generates more heat than it avoids...but maybe have one in your bag just in case.
• Take the metro! Walking long distances through the city like we used to during the autumn and spring is out of the question now.

and lastly...

• Don't forget to eat! I know it sounds stupid but with the weather so hot most of us just can't face eating a big dinner or standing over the hot oven. Though it's summer you still need regular meals but, instead of trying to force down huge, hot dinners, eat little and often throughout the day. The Spanish have been dealing with this heat for centuries and thankfully have come up with some great cooling recipes. Why not give the refreshingly tomatoey andalucían Salmorejo or Gazpacho a try? These cold soups are delicious with crusty bread and a few slices of jamón.

Sorting Out a NIE (Spanish Insurance Number)

Once you've been in Spain for a little while and have sorted all the most pressing issues such as where you'll live and how you'll be travelling to and from uni/work, you'll want to get your hands on a NIE or Spanish insurance number. Without one you won't be able to open an account in most banks and apparently it's actually a legal requirement to get one before you've been living in Spain for 3 months so don't faff about!

I remember being told something about going to the police station to get one in an induction lecture back in Southampton but it's actually a bit more complicated than that. For a start you can't just go to any old police station... In this post I'll talk you through how I got hold of mine step by step - I hope you find it helpful.

Step 1: Making an Appointment

Like everything in Spain you can't just turn up with your documents and ask for what you want; you need to make an appointment online first.

Go to this website: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/icpplus/citar

You will need to select your province from the first drop down menu (in my case Madrid) and then from the second menu choose "CERTIFICADOS UE". The next page is terms and conditions, give these a quick read if you like and then skip forwards to input your data. This involves selecting "pasaporte" from the available documents (seeing as you won't have a NIE yet) and inputting your passport number and full name. After proving you're not a robot with one of those little letter test thingies you'll be taken to a page where it asks you to either "solicitar una cita" or "anular" an appointment you've already made. Select "solicitar una cita". The next few pages will take you through booking an appointment; there may be a choice of police stations or there may be just one and you may have to wait a while for a free slot. Make sure you select the FULL NIE that costs 10 euros and NOT the 9 euro one that means you won't have everything you need. Once you've got your appointment booked print off the confirmation email/print screen the page or write down the booking reference - you'll need it later! :)

Step 2 (optional): Getting the Bank Form Ahead of Time

A NIE costs money and you need to pay for it in advance at a bank and then bring the bank receipt as proof of payment to your appointment at the Police Station. Before you head to the bank though you need to go to the Police Station to get hold of the NIE form you'll need to take to the bank... bear with me people. For some this might mean a separate trip to the station and then the bank if they're quite far apart (hence why this step is optional) but in Madrid it can all be done in the same day. I'll explain exactly how I did this in the following few steps:

Step 3: Things You Will Need

• 2 copies of a document that provides a reason for you to be in Spain e.g. your work contract or your uni forms etc. Original and photocopy
• Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
• Your Passport and a photocopy
• Proof you have an appointment (this is where the printed off email/reference number comes in!)
• The 10 euros to pay for your NIE
• (Then later the bank receipt as proof of payment for your NIE)
• You may also be asked for a copy of your housing contract to prove you are resident in Spain.

Step 4: Appointment Time!!

You will need to set aside a good few hours or more to get your NIE. I took the whole morning off work and, due to the amount of waiting around, was glad I did!

Make sure to arrive at least an hour before your appointment time at the Police Station (in Madrid this was the Comisería General de Extranjería y Fronteras in calle Padre Piquer, 18). During this time you will need to ask for the bank form at the front desk, fill it in and take it to the nearest bank with your 10 euros. They will then sign it, stamp it and issue you with a receipt (guard this with your life!!)

Return to the Police Station with your receipt and all the other documents mentioned above.

Ask at the front desk for the EX-18 form (or ask for the NIE form - they're sure to understand) and fill this in while you are waiting. They will then give you your queue number.

When your number comes up it's your turn to get your NIE. The appointment itself was actually incredibly straightforward; I just handed my documents over one by one and after about 15 minutes I emerged clutching my little green card.

Now you are officially registered to live and work in Spain! Woohoo!

I hope this was useful; if you have any questions just leave them down below, fb me or tweet me using +MadridAdrift :)

Royal Madrid - El Palacio y El Jardín Botánico

I'm not sure whether it was the popularity of the Palacio Real as a tourist attraction or the price of the tickets that made me wait until my parents were with me in April to pay it a visit... All I can say is that I'm so glad I eventually got round to going as I was blown away by its shere gorgeousness! The irony is that we weren't allowed to take any photos inside the building so I'm unable to show you how truly magical it was. If you're someone who enjoys history, art or even just beautiful things in general then you really must experience the inside of this palace!

I'd walked past the building all the way back in October when Irene, a lovely intern from the museum where I worked, was showing me around:

 

It was a little cloudier on the day that I eventually got to see inside:

 

As I said my parents were over from England for a few days so we met up for a drink outside the Mercado de San Miguel to people watch and enjoy some olives/nibbles.

 

 

 

We then headed over to the Palace to queue for tickets and make our way into the first entrance hall.

 

 

 

This really doesn't do the rest of the building justice (we've all seen a few painted ceilings in our time) but I'm afraid this was the cut off point for photos. I tried to get a few sneaky snaps later on but was immediately cornered by a warden. The shere luxury that the royal family enjoyed is almost painful when you compare it to the life of a regular Spanish citizen in the 16th century. Every inch of floor, ceiling and wall space has been beautified to the point of ridiculousness; it was like standing inside a Fabergé egg. There are rooms that are inlaid with precious stones in swirling floral patterns across the walls and floor, others are entirely covered in gleaming ceramic tiles while still more are hung with jewel bright silk tapestries. Furniture and exotic ornaments from all around the world fill chambers lit by antique crystal chandeliers and ornate wall sconces. The soft ticking of an exquisitely made gold, silver or ebony clock can be heard almost everywhere throughout the palace. When the audio guide told me that the golden lions flanking the royal thrones had been there for 400 years my historian's heart rose to heaven - just think of all the history they've seen!

A couple of afternoons later we paid a visit to another Madrid attraction with royal connections - the Real Jardín Botánico.

 

 

The entrance to the garden is on the Paseo del Prado just a little way along from the Prado Museum. There's not much to say apart from the fact that it's full of beautiful plants and flowers. It was lovely to just wander about with my parents and take some photos:

 

 

 

 There are huge glass hothouses full of twisting vines and tropical trees:

 

Here's my attempt at an arty photo... I thought the reflections on the water made it look like the fish were swimming through the sky:

 

 

 

 

I can't recommend the Palacio Real enough for lovers of history and it's definitely worth the 11 euro ticket - though make sure to get an audio guide!! The Jardín Botánico is also definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and looking for a break from the traffic and bustle of Madrid's busy streets.