Life-changing experiences in Madrid

My name is Efstathia Desimone and I am a graduating Junior, and psychology major at Syracuse University. During fall 2022, I had the incredible opportunity of attending Syracuse’s Abroad program in Madrid, Spain (Syracuse Madrid). The primary reason I chose Spain is because of what I had heard of Spanish culture prior. Spain’s history and the impact it has had on the lifestyle of Spaniards today was something that I knew I had to experience in person – and I was not disappointed. Spanish culture was exactly what I had expected it would be like. The routine and pace of living was very slow and relaxed just as I had hoped, and the people were incredibly welcoming and friendly.

Having never taken Spanish before, I knew navigating Spain would be a bit scary getting into. To my advantage, student must enroll in a Spanish course while abroad! Introduction to Spanish introduced me to the basics of the Spanish language, while other courses such as Cross-Cultural Psychology and Sexuality in Spain gave me more insight on Spanish culture and history.

Throughout the academic semester, I was quite involved with student activities facilitated by the center. Firstly, I had the honor to work with incredible staff through my work-study position, where I was able to assist in the student life and communication department. Secondly, I was one of the biggest fans of the center’s MadWorld program! MadWorld offered various cultural events throughout the semester which encouraged the student immersion in Spanish culture. The events included daytrips to locations near Madrid, yoga classes, cooking classes and more!

Lastly, I was member of Syracuse Madrid’s Diversity, Inclusion Student Committee (D.I.S.C.). D.I.S.C. is a student run group, dedicated to making all Syracuse and visiting students in the Syracuse Program feel welcomed, supported, and included during their time abroad. As an organization, we placed strong emphasis on creating resources to support students who identify with marginalized or historically underrepresented groups. Overall, participating in university-ran activities, allowed to me to integrate better into the abroad program and transition smoothly into my academic semester.

A once in a lifetime opportunity is offered to the Madrid Abroad students and that is: the Marine Ecology Seminar! I can say with ease, that the 10 days of which it consisted of, were the most adventurous and spontaneous days of my life thus far. Not only was it a great way to meet the students that would be with me in Madrid, but we also had the opportunity of exploring southern Spain. After hiking in Puerto de Javea, snorkeling in Tabarca, kayaking in Xabia and then scuba diving in Cabo De Palos, I knew that there would be a great semester awaiting for us!

The greatest highlight of my time abroad, was hands down the friends I met and connections I made. Going abroad alone, was certainly the scariest factor of my experience. Despite my concerns, I was so relieved to know that most of the student in my program were in the same situation as me; alone and eager to explore Spain! With that being said, during my semester in Madrid, I met some of my closest friends today. Despite, all challenges and fear I might have faced, exploring Spain became the most educational experience of my life!

Thenia Desimone

Psychology major

Syracuse Madrid

Check out these tips about how to to best acclimate to a new city while you’re abroad for a summer or semester!

Experience new cultures in the Borough Market

From Japanese ramen to Colombian coffee, the Borough Market is home to several food stalls where you can truly appreciate the diversity of those in London. It offers you the ability to embrace new cultures and grow closer to others through a shared love of food. If you’re not careful, you could spend the whole day meandering through the many alleys of the market!

But eating food is just one example of what you can do to catch a glimpse of the many people residing in this vast city. True appreciation of London’s distinction as a melting pot of people starts with acknowledging that those you encounter come from different backgrounds with a life’s worth of lived experiences that may differ from your own. Equally important is familiarizing yourself with the cultural and social norms of the city. My curiosity and desire to learn about others led me to do just this in my brief time in London. By sharing my experiences encountering people in London, I hope to make the process of learning about London—and its inhabitants—seem less daunting to do.

Using London’s public transportation (P.S. don’t be too loud!)

My first experience on the tube—the equivalent of a subway in New York City—started off with continued side-glances by other passengers. Confused as to why this was happening, I chose to ignore them and continued my conversation  with my classmates until we reached our destination.

I thought nothing of this encounter until a similar occurrence happened just one day later. In this instance, a passenger chose to switch cars after my classmates and I had boarded the tube. We would later come to learn, however, that the problem lied with our speaking volume while on the tube. Those in London prefer to sit in silence or in quiet spaces, and my classmates and I—not knowing this—unintentionally challenged this social norm. The next time we boarded public transportation, we were cognizant of this new information and to respect those around us, we lowered the volume at which we spoke at.

A penny—worthless or a valuable treasure?

When I first exchanged dollars for British pounds, I was fascinated by the texture and appearance of this currency. It differed greatly from the standard dollar bills and coins that I was so accustomed to seeing, that every little detail in the currency sparked interest in me. When I first paid at a gift shop using British currency, I shared this interest of mine with the store clerk. She chuckled and claimed that there was nothing special about their bills and coins.

Yet, when a penny fell out of my wallet onto the counter, she was astounded at the sight of it. She rejoiced that she had always wanted to see what a penny looked like, and within a minute, our roles had reversed. She, who had no interest in her own currency was suddenly intrigued by a penny—something I do not regard highly. This interaction with the store clerk highlighted the fact that learning about others can not only bring joy to yourself but to the other party as well.

In short, you will inevitably make mistakes when first arriving in the city, but it’s important to make an effort to address this and appreciate London for what it is—an amalgamation of people from around the world. Even though you may think an interaction as mundane as paying for your souvenir can offer no value to you, think twice as it might make someone’s day and fulfill their lifelong wish.

Nicole Pulido ’23

Public Health

London Summer Session ’22

Can I study abroad? Is it something I can afford? Students often find themselves dwelling on these questions, fearing that it could hinder their ability to participate in a study abroad program. Because opportunities to cover program costs tend to be daunting or less known to students, it may dissuade them from even exploring their options. If this is the case for you, do not stress! With adequate research and support, studying abroad can be financially feasible.

Follow along to learn about budgeting while abroad at the Syracuse London Center!

The pre-application process

Education about financing a study abroad experience is important and universities have shifted the narrative to show that studying abroad is achievable for students with diverse financial and academic backgrounds. When determining if studying abroad is possible for you, you should leverage study abroad staff as well as the external scholarship platforms at your disposal. Being proactive in the process of searching for financial opportunities can assuage your worries and convince you to apply to this unique academic experience.

I’ve been accepted – now what?

Congratulations! Now it’s time to consider the various avenues available to you to help pay for this program. Reach out to both your financial and study abroad advisor to talk through these options and learn more about scholarships you may be eligible for. Syracuse University offers additional aid if studying at one of their centers over the summer, so this is an added benefit of studying at the London Center! Students who currently receive a federal Pell grant and are U.S. citizens are also eligible to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which is federally funded and helps cover the cost of program fees, flight expenses, meals, and more!

I’m in London! What can I eat? Where can I shop for food?

London is truly a melting pot, and once you arrive in the city, it is clear to see. On any given street there is a myriad of restaurants, boutiques, and stores that represent the numerous cultures of those residing in London. Take this opportunity to try food that you’re not used to! Note that a meal plan is not included when studying at the London Center, so, keep in mind that eating out every day for every meal eventually adds up to a large expense. An alternative to this is…cooking!

Depending on the length of your stay, consider buying food to eat as needed, instead of splurging at Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, or Tesco (popular grocery stores in London) and having to throw away extra food. Finding a balance between eating at home and eating out is important, but don’t stress, once you acclimate to London, this will be easier to do!

How can I travel around the city on a budget?

Navigating a new city is hard for anyone to do, but Syracuse University has made it a bit easier for students. By offering those studying at the Syracuse London Center a prepaid Oyster card—equivalent to a MetroCard in New York City—students can travel to many areas in London for free and make the most of their experience. The Oyster Card allows access to London’s public transportation (the bus and the tube) in zones 1 and 2 of London. Black taxi cabs are abundant in London but they tend to be a more expensive form of travel.

Alternatively, you can walk or bike! Taking a walk around London allows you to see sights that you would’ve missed if you took public transportation and is more common in London than you may think. Be careful when crossing the roads, however, as cars are coming from the opposite side of the road! Luckily, London has considered this, and often at an intersection, there are instructions written on the road of which direction to look before crossing the street. Biking is especially common in London, and as such, bike lanes are also incorporated into lanes on roads. So, watch out for both bikes and cars when walking around the city.

Where can I visit without spending money?

Luckily, London is home to several museums, galleries, and parks that are free to visit! With research, you will be able to find a list of such places. An example of two that are close to the Syracuse London Center includes the British Museum and the National Gallery.

You can also dedicate a day to exploring Westminster and seeing the many sights it has to offer! All within walking distance, you will be able to see the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St James Park, and Trafalgar Square. Remember to carry around your student ID to take advantage of student discounts!

Final Takeaways

Moral of the story— yes, studying abroad on a budget is possible! Just be sure to do your research beforehand and balance your expenses.

Nicole Pulido ’23

Public Health

London Summer Session ’22

Bonjour and Hallo!  I’m Ben Shultz and I spent my final semester of graduate school abroad at the Syracuse Strasbourg Center, and just graduated this spring (2022).

As a dual-degree M.A. in International Relations and Master of Public Administration student at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Strasbourg presented an unmatched opportunity for me to explore the European policy space in a hands-on manner.  I took one graduate course at the Syracuse Strasbourg Center and undertook an internship at the Council of Europe International Cooperation Group on Addiction and Drugs (Pompidou Group).  My experience studying abroad was life-changing and opened many doors for me in personal, academic and professional contexts.

What intrigued me most about Strasbourg was its international, cosmopolitan nature.  Situated on the Franco-German border in the Alsace region, Strasbourg is one of the four European capitals, home to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights.  It is also one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Europe, and it certainly lived up to the hype.

I lived with a local host family, which was tremendously helpful from integrating in both a cultural and linguistic perspective.  I arrived in Strasbourg speaking almost no French and left being able to navigate fully in daily life—from checking into an AirBnB, taking a train, or buying a pain au chocolat from the bakery.  Additionally, living in Strasbourg was useful for practicing my German.  I was conversational before arriving in Alsace, but found plenty of ways to improve, including taking the tram across the border to Kehl, Baden-Württemberg and speaking in German with my colleagues at the Council of Europe.

For Americans, the chance to intern at any of the European institutions is incredibly limited.  Syracuse University’s partnership with the Council of Europe enabled me to gain valuable experience working ‘on the inside’, so to speak.  My broad focus at the Maxwell School has been cyber and tech policy, and at the Pompidou Group I was given the chance to explore this focus further.

At the Council, I was assigned to a longer-term project for the Expert Group on Drugs Online that involved researching the status of illicit substance sales and trafficking, as well as money laundering, via online and mobile video games and chat rooms.  These platforms represent a gap in the existing European drug and addiction policy, and I was asked to present about my research and potential policy recommendations at the Expert Group’s 2022 Annual Meeting.  More than 30 senior members of law enforcement agencies across Europe, from Ireland—to Turkey—to Finland, attended the meeting.  It was incredibly rewarding to hear presentations from these leaders about their experiences and research on a variety of issues, and I was equally proud to present my own research into emerging threats via online gaming platforms.

Having been back in the U.S. for less than a month, I’m pleased to say I’ll be starting a new role with Deloitte Global Public Sector as a consultant.  I’ll be conducting disinformation and cyber threat analysis for public clients, and I can directly link my work at the Pompidou Group to this new job.  Not only was my time in Europe something to converse about with my soon-to-be colleagues and supervisors, but they found my experience of working on an emerging cyber policy issue across the Atlantic valuable, in terms of the insights I was able to glean from the European policymaking process that might help improve U.S. cyber policy.  As well, given the broad global nature of public policy, the language skills I picked up and sharpened in Strasbourg may be useful for me at Deloitte.

In total, my time in Strasbourg was simply phenomenal and I am so grateful for SU and the Maxwell School for helping me organize this semester abroad.  It was a perfect way to conclude my time as a graduate student and directly set the stage for a quick transition into the professional world.  I hope to be back in Strasbourg very soon, this time as a tourist!

Benjamin Shultz ’22

M.A. in International Relations / M.P.A. Candidate

Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs