One of the biggest goals I had when I arrived in Spain was to fully immerse myself in and appreciate the culture. In the United States, soccer, which I now refer to as “fútbol,” is not the most popular sport, so I did not know much about the impact it has on people's lives. Here in Spain, fútbol is more than just a sport; it is something that connects families, friends, and even complete strangers together. While I am not the biggest sports fan, I wanted to experience this part of Spanish culture rather than simply observe. As I reflect, I cannot believe that my decision to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, would align with the summer Spain won the World Cup!
The last time Spain won the World Cup was in 2010. At that time, I was 5 years old and only cared about playing with toys. I am now 21 years old and can truly appreciate the odds of me choosing to study abroad in Spain the same summer they won the championship. This truly feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of.
I came to Spain hoping to experience the culture. I never expected that would include celebrating a World Cup victory with thousands of locals.
Throughout the summer, I put in my best effort to watch as many of the World Cup matches as I could. Studying abroad allowed me to meet many new people from all parts of the world, so I found myself supporting many teams along the way. I visited many local bars and rooftop venues where the games were always playing. Even though I was not a huge soccer fan before coming to Spain, I began learning more and more about the sport each game and now have a collection of jerseys. The excitement for all of the teams is incredible. Every day, there were people waving flags, wearing jerseys, and cheering as the championship progressed.
The most unforgettable moments I had were during the semifinal and final matches. I watched both games at Plaza de Colón, where thousands of fans gathered to watch Spain compete. Standing in the middle of such a massive crowd created an atmosphere that I had never experienced. Every exciting play created an echo of cheers or sighs throughout the plaza, and every goal initiated a wave of celebration. Whether you knew the people next to you or not, everyone celebrated as a community.
When the final whistle blew and Spain secured the victory, the celebrations were incredible! There were people jumping with excitement, waving flags, hugging strangers, blowing horns, and crying tears of joy. The energy is impossible to put into words. As someone who has only lived in Spain for a short amount of time, I feel extremely fortunate to have witnessed such a meaningful part of history surrounded by thousands of locals who welcomed everyone to celebrate.
One of my favorite memories, celebrating Spain's win surrounded by thousands of fans and my new friends!
The night did not end after leaving Plaza de Colón. The streets of Madrid were flooded with thousands of people until the sun began to rise. This continued throughout the weekend, as there were planned celebrations, such as the Spanish national team holding a victory parade throughout the city. Seeing the players with my own eyes while thousands of fans lined the streets was a perfect ending to an incredible weekend.
This experience reminded me that studying abroad is about so much more than visiting famous landmarks or traveling to different countries. Sometimes the most meaningful memories come from simply living alongside the locals. That is when you experience unplanned memories that you will never forget. By embracing a sport I previously knew nothing about, I gained a much deeper appreciation for Spanish culture and the passion that unites its people. I came to Spain hoping to learn about the culture, improve my Spanish, and grow personally. I left with all of those things, along with the unforgettable memory of witnessing Spain become World Cup champions.