Meeting new people from different countries has become part of my weekly routine. I regularly participate in the weekly language exchange and dance class organized by CityLife Madrid, an organization that works to build an international community in Madrid. Through these events I have met other students from all over, people from the EU and Latin America coming to work, and native Madrileños. Last Wednesday, I had an extensive conversation about soccer and Italian music in Spanglish with someone from Milan, Italy. At one event I met someone who works at a cool vintage store near me who taught me how he chooses what he sells.
When a seasoned salsa dancer from Cuba and I were talking about our hobbies, he added me to the citylife salsa dance whatsapp chat. This has given me the opportunity to go to a Latin dance club with a group of people every Friday night. Before I joined this chat, I was unsure of where to go and was a little uncomfortable entering alone. My knowledge of media has a more international flair and my Spanish has become trans-continental. Additionally, I have thought a lot about how I present where I am from in these settings. I prefer to say I am from Texas rather than the United States. It helps me feel more comfortable speaking Spanish because it usually sparks questions that I am very confident answering such as where Texas is located and why I said “Texas” instead of “America”. Saying something more specific also helps prevent people from immediately assigning the stereotypes they have about America to me.
During my time in Madrid, I have come to appreciate the exhilaration of always meeting new people and the unique conversations and opportunities that arise from spaces that promote dynamic international community.
Natalie Suri
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Major: History
Program: WIP Universidad Complutense de Madrid