How my Exchange has Changed My World

So let me introduce myself. My name is Daniele, I am from Montreal, Canada, and I am studying in Madrid for the entire 2015-2016 school year. I am currently majoring in journalism at Concordia University in Montreal, though I am unsure if I still want to be a journalist, however I am taking journalism classes here in Madrid. My family is Italian, and by virtue of the fact that I come from Montreal, a bilingual city, I speak both English and French, though English is my Native language seeing is that is the language I speak with my family and friends and the language I have always studied in. I also speak Spanish, I spoke before coming to Spain but I'd say it has improved a lot since I've arrived, therefore I am happy to say I am a quadrilingual, fluent in spoken, written and read English, French, Italian and Spanish.

As soon as I heard about the opportunity to do a student exchange, I knew it was something I had to do. The Quebec government actually gives students $1, 000 CAD (approx. €650) per month to encourage students going abroad. This combined with my ongoing fascination about the world around me that I had never explored made coming abroad an easy choice for me.

At first, I wanted to go to Bologna, Italy, because I have cousins in Italy studying there. When I found out that my program wasn't offered there, but it was offered here in Madrid, I jumped at the occasion. After all, I wanted to go to Europe and live in a country where I spoke the language. Spain. Madrid. Perfect!

Getting Prepared

Needless to say, the preparation process was a long and tedious one. I needed to get my courses approved by my department at my home university, I needed to find a place to live, orient myself in a new city using the internet alone, open a new bank account and a get a new credit card (more on this in a moment), and really just mentally prepare myself for what was to come. Furthermore, it was difficult leaving my family since we'd had some family problems recently, and it was difficult leaving my girlfriend of almost three years for what was going to be at least four months of living on different continents and in different timezones, to the point where it was midnight here and I was going to bed whereas it was 6 PM in Montreal and she was just getting home from work. Actually the lucky thing was that I didn't need to apply for a VISA since I have double citizenship (Canada/UK), so I saved time and money with that, though I did need to renew my UK passport.

So I'll actually take this opportunity to address myself to people coming from other continents to Europe and wanting to avoid paying those pesky foreign transaction fees you'll encounter when dealing with a foreign currency, in this case the EURO. I opened a new bank account in Canada with a bank that has partnerships around the world, including in Spain, allowing me to withdraw money from specific ATMs and only pay the daily currency conversion rate, and no surcharges. I also got myself a new credit card that does not charge anything to use it, just, once again, I pay the daily conversion rate. When I compare my system to banking with the system used by my other Canadian friends, I know that I am saving lots of money that I can invest into other things, like traveling, nights out or cultural experiences, whereas they are spending that money in foreign transaction fees. Organization, and lots of it, is essential when coming abroad to avoid getting screwed over.

In June of 2015, I bought my plane tickets, a one way plane ticket from Montreal to Lisbon (since it was half the price of flying direct Montreal-Madrid), and on August 21, I was off. My mom actually joined me and we did a Portugal trip together and she came to Madrid a few days before returning to Montreal.

The Journey Begins

This had been my first trip to Europe in my lifetime, a trip that has yet to end, and my first impressions were incredible. As I mentioned earlier, my first touch of Europe was actually Lisbon, Portugal, and this beautiful city was the perfect introduction I needed. Visiting historic sites like the Belem Tower or Sintra's medieval castle on top of a mountain were just surreal experiences, ones that I know I will never forget.

Here is a picture that I took from that castle in Sintra, a stunning town about 40 minutes from Lisbon. Wow. From Lisbon, my mom and I went off to Porto before finally coming to Madrid. After three days of intense visiting in Madrid, my mom was off, and my exchange was officially under way.

First Impressions of Madrid

It was weird, the first few days of visiting Madrid with my mom didn't give me the sense this was the city I was here to stay in. It felt like just another city I was visiting, yet at the same time I had met my roommates and started forming a friendship with them. After my mom left, it was up to me, I had to cook for myself, clean for myself, do my own groceries, pay my own bills and manage my own finances. Things I had never previously done, since in Montreal I live with my family. I also was responsible for my own social life now, form A to Z, since none of my friends from Montreal were present. In fact I hadn't been placed in the situation where I've known no one and had to make friends from scratch in a while, because some of my friends back at home I've known for years.

Luckily, I quickly gelled with my roommates, and my Slovenian roommate, Samo, and I quickly became best friends. We hung out in the house and always went out to parties and trips together. It's always easier to meet new people if you're already with a friend, and it was a great advantage to form such a close friendship with the first person I met in Madrid.

Here's a picture of me and Samo at a party in Madrid. Unfortunately Samo was not spending all year here, so after he left I was back to square one, hardly knowing anyone.

Throughout the course of the semester, I experienced a variety of different experiences and learned a variety of new things, all this throughout my travels, throughout my stay in Madrid and definitely by meeting new people. When they say it's the people that make the experience, that is definitely true.

Think about it, when you go study abroad, a bunch of people from all around the world meet in the city they will all be living in. In this city, this group of people has one thing in common: their experience. Not even the locals here in Madrid see the city through our eyes, and it's our take on the city that brings a fresh, new perspective to it every semester.

So, you have a bunch of strangers meeting each other, but every one of the people that goes on exchange has a thirst for learning and a desire to meet new people. You'll likely never meet so many people that are so open again in your life. Everyone is happy, friendly, and just wants the same thing: to be a part of something, to have friends to share their experiences with. And when hundreds of students have that common goal, well, that's when the magic happens.

So when my student exchange finally does end, and inevitably it will, that is what I'll miss the most. Not the amazing trips I've done, nor the amazing nights out, or nights in with friends for that matter, no, what I know I'll miss most is this whole environment of friendliness and openness that is nearly impossible to find anywhere else.

But exchanges are so much more than the people. Being on Erasmus is a lifestyle, one that is easy to fall in love with. The lifestyle consists of constant socializing, but it also involves several cultural experiences, and lots of travel. Up until now, I've visited six coutries and upwards of 20 cities throughout Europe, each trip being different than the last.

Travelling

I've been to:

• Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra, Porto
• Spain: Madrid, Toledo, Valencia, Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Tenerife, San Sebastian, Bilbao
• Poland: Kraków, Oświęcim, Warsaw
• Italy: Milan, Rome, Lecce, Pisa, Florence, Venice
• France: Paris
• Ireland: Dublin and the Irish countryside including the Cliffs of Moher

Yes, that is quite a long list, and I have seen amazing things, some of which I never would have imagined.

I already discussed Portugal and the amazing sights I've seen there, in Spain I have also had my fair share of amazing experiences, from climbing the Teide volcano in Tenerife to taking in the beauty that is San Sebastian, from trying some traditional Andalucian tapas in the South to visiting Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, I've done a lot. And every minute of it has been amazing.

Pictured above is San Sebastian in the Basque Country in the North. This was definitely the most amazing city lookout I have ever seen.

And this is me overlooking the tropical island of Tenerife from the highest peak in all of Spain. Wow.

In Italy I had the wonderful opportunity to spend Christmas with my family in Lecce, while taking a trip throughout the country throughout the holidays with my girlfriend. Definitely the most amazing experiences included tasting typical Roman spaghetti in Rome, taking in the beauty of the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and just being in Venice.

Florence is actually where the Italian language comes from, and surely where the Italian colours come from as well, seeing as many churches and cathedrals throughout the city were draped in green, white and red marble. This one is definitely the prettiest though.

The pasta is called 'Bucatini alla Matriciana', it is essentially spaghetti, but with a hole in the middle, hence the word 'bucatini', derived from the Italian word 'buco', which means 'hole. ' Best plate of pasta I have ever eaten.

Above is beautiful Venice. Need I say more?

In Poland, I experienced my first ever trip alone. I spent a week in Poland, I was going to Warsaw for a conference, so I decided to visit Krakow and Auschwitz on my own. During my week there, I learned so much about myself, in terms of who I am as a person. I truly felt at the end of my solo travels that I was completely independent. I guess nothing says independence better than navigating your way through a foreign country you know nothing about where they speak a language that is completely incomprehensible and getting through it all the while going through one of best and most life-changing experiences of your life.

I learned so much about Poland during my week there, I tried the best food, met the nicest people and saw the most amazing, and saddening things. Krakow has probably the nicest main square I have ever seen, Warsaw was actually completely destroyed in World War II and had to be rebuilt literally from scratch, and Auschwitz was, well, it was a German concentration camp and quite emotional to visit.

Above is the main church in Krakow's main square. The architecture there is quite different than that of Western Europe, a welcome change from the norm, and quite beautiful. Truly, I take back no bad memories from this amazing city.

Of course, the image we've all seen in books, movies, documentaries, etc. The Holocaust happened, and the evidence is right there to prove it. Emotional but a worthwhile experience to say the least.

Warsaw's old town was completely rebuilt following the war, and so the old town actually looks reconstructed, so it's interesting how they tried to adopt the old style into a rebuilt city, but I prefer actual old cities to be perfectly honest.

I also visited Paris, because my girlfriend is studying there from January-April 2016 (AKA now), and not only did I visit her, but I visited Paris for the first time!

It struck me how Parisians tend to be quite rude. Also, in Paris, everything is extremely expensive and when I was there the weather was quite ugly. Perhaps that's just my experience, but things like the Eiffel Tower, perhaps the most famous landmark in the world, are always impressive to look at.

Finally, my latest trip was to Ireland, notably Dublin and some of the Irish countryside. Dublin didn't stick out as a beautiful city with great architecture, but the warmth of the people and the cool ambiance in the streets definitely makes it a city worth visiting. And of course visiting the Cliffs of Moher was just amazing.

They actually filmed a Harry Potter scene at the Cliffs, the scene at the Cave in the sixth book/movie!

Madrid: My Love

One city has gone unmentioned in all of this: Madrid. I have fallen deeply in love with this city to the point where I do not want to leave, and once I do leave, which, again, is inevitable, I will definitely want to come back. Maybe I should start looking for a travel-related job here?

Words cannot describe the beauty of the city. Well, I'll give it a shot and you tell me if I've captured its essence.

Madrid is less popular than Barcelona as a tourist destination, but it has its fair share of charms. The Retiro Park is one of them, and it boasts quite a few other tourist attractions like the Royal Palace, the Palacio de Cibeles and the Puerta de Alcala. But above and beyond these nice displays of architecture, Madrid is a city with vibe. It is that city where you go once, you soak up the ambiance, the atmosphere, the culture, and yes, the beauty, and you'll just never want to leave.

First of, the people here are lovely. Unlike in Paris, where I was dissed for my French (because it's with a Canadian accent), here in Madrid, no one criticizes or judges you based on where you come from. The prices of food are really low, and the fruits and vegetables here are so fresh, so cheap and so delicious that I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to this imported oranges we eat in Canada ever again.

The vibe is great. People are always out in the streets, at local bars and restaurants, just enjoying life. And isn't that what it's all about? Enjoying life? Back in Canada, it's all just work-work-work and if you don't have a high-paying internship in university (something I don't have), then you're a nobody.

For me, Madrid was the city I was coming to for my Erasmus. Now, and I truly say this with all my heart, it is my home. I have accomplished more here in my six months than I have in 21 years in Canada, I have forged great friendships and have enjoyed life way more than I had back home.

Is this due to lifestyle? Perhaps. My lifestyle is radically different since I live downtown and with roommates and not in the suburbs with my family. But things are different here. The people are different. The overall feel is different. It is home.

So what have I accomplished?

I'll make a list, a simple one, and perhaps it can show how much I've grown.

• I've made friends from scratch
• I moved mid-year to a better-located apartment, all on my own
• I went from having zero cooking prowess to now making complex meals
• I've traveled to all the aforementioned places and oriented myself everywhere perfectly
• I've learned to enjoy the pure beauty of my surroundings
• I've learned to enjoy life

These life lessons don't get taught at university at home, they get taught in the real world while living real world experiences, and that's the magic of time abroad.

Life Lessons - What I've Learned

Finally, I'd like to talk about my life lessons, about how I've changed as a person thanks to this exchange.

First off, as I mentioned, I have learned to love life. Enjoy the moments in your life where you're exactly where you want to be, with exactly who you want to be with. This moments need to be cherished. Take a moment (or several) to pause and appreciate them. I just had a moment like this recently, when I was jogging in Madrid's Retiro Park at night and paused to admire the huge statue overlooking the lake (the one pictured above). At night, illuminated by only the stars, it was simply a captivating moment.

Second, I have learned that only I am responsible for my own happiness. I'm still struggling with this one, but to give an example, back at home, I would wait to get invited out to plans, to parties, to events, by people that I knew. Here, surrounded by people I've known for less time, living in an environment where I meet new people on a daily basis, I have to be the catalyst for some plans no matter how uncomfortable it makes me feel. If I stay home all day and make no effort to talk to anyone, then I will suffer, whereas if I try and make plans with friends, I will find myself better surrounded.

Third, I have learned that alone time is good. I traveled to Krakow alone, and that ranks as one of my best travel experiences. I also see myself doing some solo traveling this summer, and I'm looking forward to that. Traveling alone gives you the liberty to create your own itineraries, do what you want to do, go where you want to go, and meet new and interesting people along the way. Also, in Madrid, I spend time on my own, may it be visiting hidden gems throughout the city (such as Casa de Campo or the Madrid Rio), going jogging on those beautiful, cloudless nights or just taking a walk alone to be alone with your thoughts, this time is key to character building and is a welcome break from the busy days of school, socializing and cooking/cleaning etc.

Finally, something I learned, and this will be more straightforward, I have learned a great deal about all the places I have visited. Did you know the city of Dublin was founded by the Vikings? Did you know the Polish created a Resistance Army in WWII to try and defeat the Germans, but they upset the Germans who in turn bombed Warsaw? Did you know that a lot of people in Portugal actually speak French and not English or Spanish as a second language because many of them actually went to France to work? Did you know Spain was actually one of the first countries to renounce the Catholic Church, yet when Franco took over he re-imposed the Catholic religion on the people? The things you learn from everyone around you just make you a more well-rounded person, capable to hold an interesting conversation, capable of relating to more people, and this cultural education I've been receiving is something that can never be found elsewhere.

On that note, I will be sure to post more about my experiences while abroad in future posts, and I'll go more into depth on some cities I've visited.

Thank you for reading,

Daniele Iannarone

Photo gallery