Derek Ye – USC Madrid

  • Majors: Health & Human Sciences; Spanish

  • Minors: Healthcare Studies; Piano

  • Email: dereky@usc.edu

 

Talk to me about: Running while studying abroad! I spent the semester training for the Madrid marathon, so I learned how to balance running before class on weekdays and during weekend trips! Madrid is the world’s second city in terms of green spaces, so there are countless trails, parks, and gardens anywhere you go. I have a spot in basically every major city across Spain and Portugal which I’m more than happy to share!

Advice: It’s hard not to associate yourself with other American students, whether they’re in your program or from other universities (I’m totally guilty of this)! To branch out, a great way to meet Spanish students is through language exchanges. Through these, you can gain more insight into how Spaniards go about their day, the best-hidden gems in the city, and compare the Spanish and American student experiences. It can be daunting at first, so bring a friend along to smooth the transition.

 

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