When we imagined studying abroad in Madrid, we pictured sangria at sunset, weekend trips to new cities, and soaking it all the Spanish culture. What we didn’t expect? Living in an apartment with no air conditioning — in the middle of a Madrid summer.
Coming from a place where AC is standard, moving to Spain and realizing it’s not the norm in many homes and student apartments was a sweaty surprise. This wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was a full-blown cultural shock. Sometimes, the heat wins. And when it does, you’ll find yourself standing in front of the open fridge, pretending it’s a spa retreat.
About the Authors
Kaleigh Murrill: Junior, majoring in Mass Communications
Aleena Alapatt: Senior, majoring in Biology
Bella Stofiel: Junior, majoring in Public Relations
William Johnson: Senior, majoring in Information Science