Paella, Pints and Poor Life Choices: My First Month in Spain 

By Ellen Lundy

September found me in Dublin Airport, embarking on a journey that, in retrospect, I perhaps should have been more prepared for. Armed with not one, not two, but three suitcases (which, let’s be honest, contained more teabags than anything else), I made the executive decision to tackle this new chapter in Salamanca, Spain, all on my own. My parents had graciously offered to help me settle in, but in a moment of youthful hubris, I declined. After all, how hard could it be? Spoiler alert: very hard. 

The flight itself was blissfully uneventful, a small mercy considering what was to come. It wasn’t until I landed in Madrid, staring at my three suitcases with a sinking realisation that I’d have to somehow manoeuvre them through a train station, that I began to question my life choices. Picture me, drenched in sweat, attempting to drag my entire life’s possessions up a flight of stairs because I stubbornly refused to wait for the lift. But I digress; the important part is that I eventually made it to Salamanca – exhausted but triumphant. My independence was intact while my dignity had suffered. 

The Great Ice Latte Disappointment of 2024 

Adjusting to life in Salamanca has been an experience, to say the least. One of the first and most jarring lessons was the Spanish aversion to ice lattes. Now, as any good Belfast student knows, the ice latte is not just a drink; it’s a lifestyle. Naturally, I sauntered into a local café on my first morning, confidently requested my caffeine fix, and was promptly handed a hot espresso alongside a glass of ice cubes. I wish I could say it was some sort of twisted, one-off joke, but if it is, it’s been running strong for a month now with absolutely no sign of stopping. 

From Belfast’s Curfew to Salamanca’s Eternal Fiesta 

Another striking difference lies in the nightlife. Back in Belfast, when the clock strikes 2 AM, the party’s over, and it’s time to search for the nearest chippy. Salamanca, however, follows a very different schedule. Here, 2 AM is but the beginning; the true festivities don’t even think about winding down until the sun is rising.  

My first night out was, admittedly, a shock to the system. There I was, yawning and longing for my bed at what I thought was a respectable hour, only to be informed that we hadn’t even hit the halfway mark of the evening. By 4 AM, I was messaging my friends back in Belfast: “Is this normal? Am I going to survive this?” They laughed. I, however, spent the rest of the night valiantly trying to keep my eyes open. But with time, I’ve adjusted. It’s incredible what you can achieve when you have no other choice (and a bottle of cheerfully cheap wine). 

Chalkboards and the Charming Academic Throwback 

Of course, I didn’t come to Salamanca purely for the nightlife, I’m here for my studies, and this is where Salamanca has truly transported me back in time. At Queen’s University Belfast, we’re all about the digital age: PowerPoint slides, online portals, lecture recordings – you name it. In Salamanca, however, they seem to have hit pause somewhere around 1985, and the professors are quite content to wield chalk like Harry Potter with a wand. However, there is a certain charm to the chalk as it appears to cast a spell over the class, enchanting a lecture hall of students as they attempt to frantically decipher the notes before they are erased from existence.  

Friendships from Afar 

As I navigate this new chapter in Salamanca, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t occasionally find myself longing for Belfast. There’s a distinct pang of nostalgia when I see my friends back home, full steam ahead in their final year, tackling dissertations and enjoying the comforts of familiar surroundings.  That said, there’s something incredibly freeing about being on my own in a new country. And despite the occasional pang of homesickness, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting people from all over the world – each as bewildered and enchanted by this experience as I am. 

The Verdict: A Month of Luggage and Lessons Learned 

So, as I reflect on this first month abroad, what can I say? Moving to Salamanca has been an exhilarating blend of excitement, confusion, and the occasional existential crisis. I’ve learned that suitcases should always be taken in pairs, that there’s more to coffee than just adding ice, and that sometimes, the best nights are the ones that end when the sun is rising. 

Here’s to the next few months in Salamanca – full of coffee (hot, unfortunately), endless fiestas, and learning to travel with fewer suitcases. Until then, Queen’s University Belfast, keep the ice lattes on standby for my inevitable return.