When I first boarded the plane to Spain, I was filled with a mix of excitement and lots of nerves. My knowledge of Spanish was shaky at best, and soccer was just something I knew from the occasional news headline. But this trip, which started in Madrid, took me through León, and ended in Barcelona, would prove to be one of the most transformative experiences of my life!
MADRID
Our trip started in Madrid, the busy capital. I fell in love with this city right away as it had a mix of old-world charm and new-world energy. Madrid’s streets are full of culture. It seemed like every corner held a piece of history or a glimpse of the city’s busy modern life. The trip to Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was without a question one of the best parts of Madrid. I didn’t know what to expect because I hadn’t really watched soccer before. But as soon as I walked into the stadium, I could feel the electric energy that must be there on game days. I became interested in the stadium in a way I hadn’t expected because of its size and the stories of famous games and players. I began to see why soccer is more than just a sport in Spain—it’s a way of life, a source of pride, and a deeply held love. But Madrid wasn’t just about sports. I spent hours looking at amazing works of art by Goya and Velázquez at the Prado Museum. With its fancy rooms and beautiful grounds, the Royal Palace gave visitors a look into Spain’s royal past. Oh, and the food! I learned about the country’s rich culinary customs through tapas at local bars, churros dipped in thick hot chocolate, and the freshest seafood at Mercado de San Miguel. It was a pleasure to connect with the culture and people of Madrid through each meal.
LEON
Finding Home After the busy city of Madrid was very scary for me because in Madrid we had our own rooms in the hotel but in Leon we were staying with host families I’ll talk more about this later in this section but let’s get into Leon and it’s beautiful architecture and culture. People know León for its beautiful Gothic church. It has some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows in the world. The city’s medieval walls and lovely old town made it a great place for me to study Spanish for three weeks. I was at a different cafe EVERYDAY! In León, I really felt what it was like to be a stranger. It was really hard for me to keep up in class and talk to people from the area because of the language barrier. Even simple things like getting food or asking for directions became hard for me because I had to be patient and determined. But this is also where I got the most done. My host family, which included my sister, brother, and beautiful host mom, helped me a lot to get through these tough times. They spoke slowly and clearly, correcting gently and always giving support. In particular, my host mom was a great teacher. She cooked delicious meals and told stories that made the language and culture come alive. The thing that struck me the most was her wanting to know more about it my culture and my food and my religion. Being Muslim I didn’t know how welcoming Spain would be in general knowing that the Muslim population wasn’t much but my host mom made it the three weeks I was there worth it. She introduced me to her friends, took me to her favorite bars even though I don’t drink 😂😂. At every bar we went to I was getting a coke. One night I think I drank 7 cokes in a span of 3 hours but the tapas were worth it! León did have some problems, though. I got a nasty tummy bug in the middle of my stay and had to stay in bed for a few days. On top of that, the cooler, damper weather in León made my asthma act up a bit. My host family and best friend, who was also on this trip with me, were very helpful during that hard time. Soups made by my host mom made me feel better, and jokes and Netflix marathons with my best friend kept me going. I kept going even though these problems came up, and by the end of the three weeks, I couldn’t believe how much my Spanish had improved. I even got a good grade in class, which, given the problems I was having, felt like a big accomplishment. Besides learning the language, León had other interesting things to offer. In the afternoons, I often went to the city’s historical places, such as the Basilica of San Isidoro, which has one of Europe’s oldest collections of medieval art. I also liked the lively tapas scene in Leon. The city is known for giving away free tapas with every drink, and I made it my goal to try as many as I could. Each bar was known for something different, and these small, tasty treats became a feature of my daily life.
BARCELONA
Barcelona to me felt like the perfect combination of everything I had seen and done in Spain: lively culture, beautiful buildings, and, of course, even more soccer. Gaudí brought together Gothic and modernist styles in Barcelona, which was truly stunning. It was like stepping into a live work of art when I walked through the city. With its complicated fronts and tall towers, La Sagrada Família was unlike anything else I had seen. With its strange designs and wide views of the city, Park Güell was a great place to think about the trip so far. But going to Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona, really made my link to Barcelona stronger. Camp Nou made me really interested in soccer after Santiago Bernabéu got me interested in it. It was truly inspiring to see how dedicated the people were, how the stadium was built with history in mind, and how famous players had played there in the past. I got caught up in the excitement and couldn’t wait to learn more about the team’s past, its rivalries, and the players who had become famous in their own right. When I left Barcelona, I knew that soccer had become a new love of mine. I’m already making plans to go to my first live game next year. I can’t wait to feel the excitement of the game in person. Also, Barcelona gave me lots of chances to enjoy my interests in art and culture. At the Picasso Museum, I spent time looking at how the artist’s style changed over time. In the Gothic Quarter, I got lost in its winding streets. The beach in the city was a nice break from all the sightseeing, and I spent an afternoon resting by the water and soaking up the sun. Barcelona was also a great place to eat. Out of the three cities Barcelona definitely had the most options when it came to halal food and definitely the best. I fell in love with the city’s food scene, from the busy markets of La Boqueria to the cute seafood places by the water. I learned how to make paella from scratch in a cooking class, which was one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. The process was just as fun as the end result, and eating the meal with my best friend made me feel like I was celebrating all the tastes I had grown to love. Before I came, I didn’t know much Spanish and wasn’t really interested in soccer. Now that I’m back home, I love both of them more than ever. Whether it was learning the language, getting sick, or figuring out how to live in a new country, the problems I faced have only made me stronger. I felt like I had a second family with my host family in León. The memories I made with them and my best friend will last a lifetime. Spain has given me a lot more than I thought it would. It has given me the strength to get through tough times, the joy of finding new interests, and the warmth of links that go beyond language and borders.I have learned a lot from this experience. I have found a new society, a new sport, and a new side of myself. I can’t wait to go back and keep learning, exploring, and growing.From now until then, I’ll always remember and treasure every moment of this amazing time in Spain.
