Spain Survival Guide
Things we wish we knew before our abroad semester in Madrid
By Archana Mahesh and Sarah Foy
¡Hola from Madrid! We are your Spring 2022 Madrid study abroad liaisons, Archana and Sarah, and we are looking forward to sharing our experience with you. Below we’ve compiled a list of tips we wish we had known before arriving. If you are planning to study abroad in Madrid or are just curious to learn more, keep reading!
Language Basics
As many people in Madrid speak limited to no English, it is helpful to know at least some basic Spanish to make getting around the city as easy as possible. If you don’t speak any Spanish, don’t worry! You’ll definitely pick some up during your time in Madrid, but here are some helpful words and phrases to get you started!
Ordering/Eating at a Restaurant
Here are some ways to order:
¿Me puedes poner/traer…por favor? - Could you bring me…please?
Me gustaría…por favor - I would like…please
Quiero…por favor - I want…please
Some other words/phrases to note:
La cuenta - the check
¿Me traes la cuenta, por favor? - Can I have the check please?
¿Cuánto cuesta? - How much does it cost?
Agua con gas - sparkling water; agua sin gas - still water
The waiter will likely ask “¿Agua con gas o sin gas?” to ask whether you would like sparkling or still water.
Side note: tap water is almost nonexistent in Madrid and since you are given bottled water, you will be charged for it
At a cafe or casual restaurant you might be asked “Para aqui o para llevar?”
Para aqui - to stay here; para llevar - to take away/take to go
If you have any food allergies or dietary preferences, learn how to say your dietary restrictions in Spanish! If you learn the specific words you need to avoid on a menu or what questions to ask, it can make eating out a lot easier.
Vale
There is one word in particular that you will often hear “Madrileños” use: vale. Vale directly translates to “okay” and is often used to affirm that something is understood or that you are okay with something.
For example, when checking out at a store, it is common for the cashier to tell you your total followed by “¿vale?” to which you can affirm “vale”. In other words, it is used as both a question and an answer and just a really versatile word!
Checking out at a Store
Speaking of checking out at a store, here are some other helpful words to know:
Bolsa - bag
Bags cost 10 cents in Madrid so before ringing up your items, the cashier will ask you “¿Quieres una bolsa?” or simply “¿bolsa?”.
Copia - copy of the receipt
It is common to be asked whether you want a receipt or not, especially regarding smaller purchases.
Tarjeta - [credit] card; efectivo - cash
Another question you will likely get is “¿Paga con efectivo o tarjeta?” which means “Are you paying with cash or card?”.
Customs/Cultural Differences
Food
Food is less seasoned/generally blander in Spain than you may be used to in NYC or at home, but there are also higher quality standards for meat, produce, and food in general in Europe than in America, which is a positive. However, if you want spicier, more flavored food, you can ask the NYU Madrid Student Life Office for specific recommendations around the neighborhood.
Staring
Staring is much more socially acceptable and normal in Spain, so sometimes there will be Spaniards staring at you in public with no shame. It might feel uncomfortable, but it is usually just their way of observing and is not about you specifically.
Meal Times
Spaniards generally have later meal times. Lunch is typically between 1 and 4 pm and dinner is usually between 8-10:30 pm. A lot of places, especially restaurant kitchens, also might close between 4:30-7:30 PM for siesta, so keep that in mind for your eating schedule. Some restaurants may be open during that time but will only serve drinks due to the kitchen being closed.
Business Hours
In addition to a lot of restaurants and stores closing for ‘siesta’ time, many places are closed on Sundays as well. Bigger chains and grocery stores will probably be open, but a lot of smaller shops may be closed.
Spanish Equivalents to American Stores and Products
Pharmacies
At the pharmacy, very few things are over the counter. You often don’t need a prescription but you will likely have to talk to the pharmacist to get cough medicine/advil/etc. Additionally, most pharmacies will have a green plus sign / first aid symbol outside so they are easily identifiable.
Supermarkets
Mercadona
Dia
Carrefour
*General Reminder* your favorite beauty/skincare products might not be sold in Spain so if you’re very particular about certain products, bring enough to last you for the whole semester!
El Corte Inglés
This is a department store that is similar to Nordstrom/Macy’s, but it also has a supermarket on the -1 floor that has more options than the average grocery store. You can also buy miscellaneous things, like hangers, tupperware, laundry hampers, etc, here as well.
Tierra Burrito Bar
Sometimes referred to as “Spanish Chipotle” by abroad students, Tierra is perfect if you are looking for a quick but delicious meal. It is also very convenient, with multiple locations around the city.
fnac
Similar to Best Buy, you can get adapters, converters, appliances (like a hair dryer) and things like that here. You might want to buy a plug adapter before you arrive in Spain, just so you don’t have to rush to the store on your first day, but FNAC is useful for anything you forgot or find a need for later.
Other Tips
Pack a semester’s worth of your absolute essentials!
It’s very expensive to ship things to/from the US, and things sometimes get lost in Customs, so double check the things you must have before you leave (medicine, retainer, contacts, etc.) and make sure you have a supply that will last until the end of the semester or until family/friends plan to visit and can bring things to you.
Keep copies of all important documents
Keep a copy of your passport, health insurance, and any other essential documents both on your phone and laptop in case of an emergency. You likely won’t need the copies, but it is really important to have backups just in case.
Beware of pickpockets!
Be attentive to your surroundings and always make sure to keep your bags zipped and belongings close to you. It’s also best not to keep things in your outermost pockets, like your phone or wallet, especially when in crowded areas.
Always pay in euros!
When you pay with a credit card sometimes you will be given the option to pay in euros or USD – always choose euros! They will charge you a higher rate than the actual exchange rate if you pay in USD.
Credit cards and Apple Pay are widely accepted
Almost everywhere accepts both credit cards and Apple Pay, even taxis, so you don’t need to carry that much cash on you. Also keep in mind that your debit/credit card might not be as widely used in Europe, so check in advance. Visa and Mastercard are usually accepted but acceptance of American Express, Discover, etc. might vary between countries and individual establishments.
Get the unlimited student metro as soon as possible!
The metro system in Madrid is a really great way to get around the city and it can also take you to and from the airport. The unlimited student metro only costs 20€ and if you live in the El Faro/Moncloa residence you will probably take the train to school every day so it’s well worth it. It can take up to 2 weeks to arrive, so apply for it ASAP!
American Comfort Food
If you find yourself really craving a particular American food/snack, there are multiple Taste of America locations around Madrid and they will likely have what you’re craving. Keep in mind, there will definitely be a markup on the price so it’s definitely not realistic to do all of your grocery shopping here.
There is also a lot of American fast food in Madrid (KFC, Popeyes, McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Five Guys, etc.) so that can always be a safe backup option! Definitely try to eat at local places as much as you can though since you’ll only be in Madrid for a short period of time :)
Mazál Bagels is a bagel shop run by a lady from Brooklyn and they’re amazing if you find yourself missing a New York bagel.
We’ve loved our semester so far in Madrid, and we hope you consider studying abroad here! If you have any other questions about our experience, feel free to reach out to sarha.foy@stern.nyu.edu or archana.mahesh@stern.nyu.edu.