What should I expect on a French exchange?

Visiting Madrid, Spain on an Exchange? What to Expect?

• I'm going on an exchange to Madrid Spain from February to May 2012, and I have no idea what to expect! I've never been outside of the U.S and Canada, although I've done ...show more

• Answer:

  Hey don't worry, you won't be discriminated because you are a foreigner. We Spaniards love foreigners! Everyone will want to chat with you to try to improve their English. It's not as if people are going to fall down to their knees because you come from America, but they'll see you as an interesting person and they'll ask you how things are in your country and all of that. Now my piece of advise is RESEARCH!! Be prepared before you leave. LEARN SPANISH. Most Spaniards are not very good at languages, and well, they'll probably understand you but if you want to actually befriend local people you'll need a good level of Spanish. So do an extra effort now. The less you have to addapt when you arrive, the best for you. Also, watch Spanish movies. Most of them are not very good, but they'll give you a picture of the culture and you can learn Spanish with them. Madrid is a great city, though quite expensive for my liking. But it's cool. There are lots of places to hang out and an incredible cultural life. There's even an Egyptian temple in the middle of the city xD And there are plenty of foreign people as well, so you won't be alone. Good luck!