spring 2026 · madrid study abroad

jade zhao
in madrid

i spent spring 2026 in madrid... on the metro, at the market, in the cafés, and in the tiny everyday moments that felt true. this is the photo story of that semester.

press play. annotate as you go. repeat what you hear.

盛放于所在之处

about

jade zhao,
student in madrid

jade zhao standing in the roman amphitheatre in mérida, spain, smiling in sunglasses and a black cover-up.

i collect moments that feel true. metro rides, café tables, rooftop sunsets, and the small encounters that built my semester.

this is the story of spring 2026 in madrid... twenty-one episodes from day one to the final week. each photo carries the context of when and how i learned to be there.

first-gen informatics student at IU (@jlzhao27 on IU GitHub Enterprise). 盛放于所在之处 means "bloom where you are planted." madrid taught me that, and this page is what happened when i actually listened.

the arc

what these
episodes hold

Arrival & Settling In

the first weeks: jet lag, uncertainty, and the small brave moments of deciding to stay.

City Rhythms

metro rides, café routines, neighborhood walks, and how daily life built familiarity and belonging.

Growth & Reflection

by the midpoint, madrid shifted from something to figure out into a place where i could simply be.

the archive

twenty-one episodes
of madrid in motion

the photo chapters below chronicle the semester from day one to the final week in may. each episode holds a moment worth remembering.

episode 1

the part before
the good part

first week: jet-lagged, underdressed, and pretending i wasn't overwhelmed.

sounds like holocene · bon iver

Looking up at ornate cream-coloured apartment buildings with iron balconies on a sunny Madrid street.
Rooftop view of a Madrid residential neighbourhood with a Spanish flag, apartment blocks, and large white clouds against a blue sky.
Ornate black iron gates of the Palacio Real reflected in a rain puddle on the plaza, visitors walking nearby.
The neoclassical facade of Almudena Cathedral with twin dark spires against a dramatic cloudy sky.

week one felt uncertain and wide open. i did not have answers yet, so i let curiosity lead and kept my eyes on the details above me.

episode 2

your sign
to go

one yes. no plan. complete leap of faith.

sounds like run away with me · carly rae jepsen

Gothic brick church entrance with ornate stone archway, rain-wet stone steps and plaza in the foreground.
Street-level view of Gran Vía crowded with pedestrians, historic buildings and a winged bronze statue on a rooftop.
Stone statue on a plinth at Plaza de España with the Torre de España skyscraper rising behind it against a grey sky.
Red-brick facade of the Museo del Prado with a no-dogs sign in the foreground and a lone figure walking past.

this was the yes-before-ready week. i leaned in anyway, and madrid gave me enough signs to keep moving forward.

episode 3

what nobody
posts about

homesick days. lonely days. the week you almost went home.

sounds like homesick · noah kahan

Multi-storey Zara storefront glowing at blue hour, wet street reflecting traffic lights.
The painted frescoed facade of Casa de la Panadería at Plaza Mayor bathed in golden afternoon light.
Upward view between ornate Belle Époque buildings with curved facades and iron balconies.
The facade of the Royal Palace of Madrid with ornate stone carvings and a large clock tower against a clear blue sky.

week three was the quiet hard part. i felt homesick, but i stayed, and that decision changed the whole semester.

episode 4

not
barcelona

everyone asked why madrid. nobody accepted "it felt right."

sounds like this must be the place · talking heads

A tree-lined path in Retiro Park with soft morning light coming through the branches.
Weathered stone walls and iron railings along the Manzanares area, rough textures and quiet city detail.
Early light over the Manzanares River with modern bridge lines in the distance and a quiet, open skyline.
A nearly empty plaza in Moncloa at dawn with long shadows stretching across the pavement.

by week four i stopped defending my choice. madrid felt right, and that was enough.

episode 5

third choice,
first love

third choice. backup plan. total accident.

sounds like home · edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros

A narrow historic passage in Toledo framed by old stone walls and layered textures.
A quiet Toledo street seen from across the Tagus with warm evening light washing over rooftops.
A view from the window toward military buildings and rooftops near Ejercito del Aire.
Rooftops and antenna lines along Calle de Bravo Murillo silhouetted against a warm orange sunset sky.

week five reminded me that the best parts were never plan a. city, people, timing...all of it arrived in its own way.

episode 6

calmer
here

slower mornings. longer coffees. no rushing.

sounds like put your records on · corinne bailey rae

A rooftop view from the Circulo de Bellas Artes looking out over Madrid as daylight fades.
An upward street view on Gran Via with tall facades and layered architectural details rising into the sky.
A neighborhood view in Moncloa from an apartment window, with mid-rise buildings and soft overcast light.
The Arco de la Victoria standing prominently near the roadway, framed by open sky and city movement.

week six felt calmer. i let my pace shift, and for the first time it did not feel like falling behind.

episode 7

what a
privilege

first-gen kid. far from home. standing in the rain in madrid.

sounds like ribs · lorde

A rainy stretch of Calle del Arenal with wet pavement reflecting storefront lights and passing traffic.
A classic rain-day view near Puerta del Sol with wet stone streets, umbrellas, and busy foot traffic.
Rain puddles in Puerta del Sol reflecting nearby historic facades and street lights after a storm.
An overcast view along Paseo de la Castellana with modern city lines under low grey rain clouds.

week seven felt like perspective. being far from home did not make me smaller, it made me see how much room i could take up.

episode 8

we met on
erasmus (it counts)

met in a kitchen. bonded in three days. friends forever probably.

sounds like we are young · fun.

A night street scene near the Museo de Historia de Madrid with bright museum lighting and deep evening shadows.
An exterior scene at RTVE in Ciudad de la Imagen with studio architecture and evening ambient light.
Theater signage glowing above Gran Via at dusk, with bright marquees and heavy evening traffic below.
The facade at Gran Via 84 lit at night, with bright screens and a stream of pedestrians moving past.

week eight was friendship in real time. quick bonds, shared routines, and the kind of nights you remember long after flights home.

episode 9

no more
madrid

last coffee. last walk. last time pretending it wasn't the last.

sounds like the night we met · lord huron

A food-market moment at Mercado de San Miguel with warm lights, crowds, and glass-and-iron interior details.
A casual meal scene at 100 Montaditos with simple table setup and the familiar fast, social atmosphere.
A quiet street scene in Malasana with soft afternoon light and the relaxed pace of an ordinary weekday.
A morning view by La Panaderia in Plaza Mayor with historic facades and early daylight across the square.

week nine was when every routine started to feel finite. i was still there, but already noticing what i would miss.

episode 10

still here,
already grieving

still living it. already missing it. both things true.

sounds like august · taylor swift

A close-up view of the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, showing massive stone blocks and centuries-old engineering.
Stone and turret details of the Alcazar de Segovia, with ornate historic architecture against bright sky.
A high viewpoint from the Segovia cathedral tower looking over rooftops, streets, and distant hills.
Interior or facade detail of the Segovia cathedral with towering scale, stone ornament, and dramatic vertical lines.

week ten felt like presence and grief at once. i kept showing up fully, even while knowing the end was getting close.

episode 11

bloom where
you are

arrived unsure. left softer. left louder. left more myself.

sounds like bloom · troye sivan

A cafe moment at Starbucks Moncloa with warm indoor light and a familiar corner that feels like routine.
A quiet early-hour scene near Starbucks Moncloa with almost empty sidewalks and soft morning tones.
A simple coffee stop scene with street-facing windows and people passing by during an ordinary afternoon.
Another everyday view around Starbucks Moncloa, combining city street detail with calm spring daylight.

week eleven felt like integration. i did not become someone new, i became more clearly myself.

episode 12

tenerife,
no notes

one week. no wifi. completely unserious.

sounds like island in the sun · weezer

Street view in Tenerife with white buildings and palm trees under bright skies.
Historic architecture in La Orotava, Tenerife with cinematic mountain light.
Coastal scene in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife with waves and volcanic textures.
Atlantic cliffs in Tenerife at golden hour with ocean horizon beyond.

week twelve was lightness. quick trip, warm weather, and the kind of shared memories that reset your energy.

episode 13

tenerife taught me
something madrid couldn't

tenerife was warm and easy. madrid felt heavier coming back. like you knew something now that you didn't before.

sounds like the 1 · taylor swift

A young woman stands on an outdoor ledge at the top of a cathedral tower in Segovia, looking softly at the camera. Behind her the dome and spires of the Segovia Cathedral rise against a dramatic cloudy sky.
A young woman stands at the bottom of a grand stone staircase in Tenerife during Semana Santa, smiling softly. Deep red ceremonial banners hang behind her.
A young woman sits at a rooftop bar above Gran Vía in Madrid, smiling softly. The sky behind her is layered in pink, orange, and blue — the last light of sunset.
Two young women at a cooking class in Madrid, wearing matching striped shirts and tan aprons, smiling and holding raw prawns mid-prep.

tenerife was easy. madrid coming back felt like knowing too much. both true at the same time.

episode 14

same city,
new eyes

by now madrid felt less like a place to figure out and more like a place to fully be.

sounds like green light · lorde

Golden afternoon light streaming through a madrid street, casting soft shadows on historic architecture.
A peaceful madrid neighborhood corner with calm morning light and gentle street atmosphere.
Close detail of a small madrid moment — a street corner or architectural detail capturing everyday beauty.
A serene madrid street scene — buildings, light, and quiet charm combined.

by week fourteen, discovery turned into attention. the city was no longer new, but it felt deeper, softer, and more personal each day.

episode 15

soft endings,
loud memories

final stretch energy. everything felt a little more meaningful, and i started paying attention to the small moments that made each day feel warm.

sounds like see you again (feat. kali uchis) · tyler, the creator

A white West Highland Terrier standing on a dark tile floor, looking up toward the camera with bright eyes and a raised tail.
A golden-red cocker spaniel sitting on a stone sidewalk beside a cafe, looking up with calm eyes and a dark collar.
A large white Swiss shepherd and a smaller brown-and-white spaniel walking side by side on leashes along a wet path.
A gray-and-white husky with pale eyes walking near a dense green hedge, tail lifted and posture confident.

week fifteen became a small dog diary. four encounters in four different moods, and each one made the ending of the semester feel softer.

episode 16

extremadura.
ruins, walls, one very confident cat.

sounds like white keys · dominic fike

Partially preserved Roman theatre structure in Merida with tall marble columns, layered stone walls, and open blue sky above.
Breakfast buffet spread with croissants, bread rolls, and pastries arranged in woven baskets and trays.
Stone niche in a medieval wall featuring a dark statue of a mounted knight with bouquets of flowers placed at the base.
Siamese cat standing on pale stone near rough rock walls and greenery, looking directly at the camera.

week sixteen felt like a field trip and a reset at the same time. two days, three cities, and so many moments that made spain feel even bigger.

episode 17

late april,
the city starts to feel like mine

small moments, bright colors, and the kind of city details that only make sense when you slow down.

sounds like liability · lorde

Hand holding red paper shopping bag with gold cherub angel graphic design in Madrid.
Male mallard duck behind a chain-link fence in an urban park in Madrid.
Overhead Korean beef rice bowl with orange juice, takeout lunch in Madrid.
Nova the Great Pyrenees mix wearing a birthday hat for her 7th birthday at home.

madrid kept handing me little proofs that the semester was changing me... a red bag, a duck, lunch, and nova's birthday, all tucked into mayo 2026.

episode 18

early may,
the ordinary stuff becomes the story

the last stretch started to look like routine, which made it feel even more real.

sounds like motion sickness · phoebe bridgers

Close-up pink manicure on white linen pants with gold sandals on grass in Madrid.
Study abroad student selfie in black blazer and pearl necklace in Madrid.
Hand holding an iced dark cocktail in a dimly lit Madrid bar, celebratory toast.
Blue outdoor community swimming pool with Madrid apartment buildings in the background, sunny day.

by mayo 2026, the ordinary stuff had become the story... nails, selfies, a drink, and a pool day, all holding the month together.

episode 19

twenty-one,
abroad

week nineteen held one of those days you don't fully understand until later. turned twenty-one in a city that was never supposed to be home and somehow felt like it anyway.

sounds like riptide · vance joy

a white lemon-print dress and a red striped drawstring bag laid out on warm concrete pavement in the sun, a coca-cola can resting between them.
a poke bowl with salmon, edamame, avocado, and sesame seeds, chopsticks resting across the top, pink poke house bag in the background.
a young woman holding a bouquet of tulips, standing in front of rose gold birthday streamers, looking softly past the camera.
a cream-coloured building facade at night hung with international flags, warm lamplight glowing at street level below.

the lemon dress, the poke bowl, the birthday streamers, the late walk through lit-up streets — none of it was planned to be meaningful. it just was.

episode 20

small moments
in sun

the week before the last. coffee, pastry, light. the mundane things that felt sacred because i knew they were ending.

sounds like pretender · the neighbourhood

Two hands hold a clear plastic cup of layered yogurt parfait topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and cubed white chocolate, and a dome-lidded cup of orange-colored iced drink in bright outdoor sunlight.
A hand opens a kraft paper bag to reveal a glazed cinnamon roll resting on parchment paper, set on a round outdoor café table. A cardboard takeaway box sits behind it.
A hand holds up a tall plastic cup of iced brown sugar bubble tea with black boba pearls visible at the bottom. A swimming pool and summer trees are blurred in the background under bright sunlight.
Two mason jar glasses filled with crushed iced drinks sit side by side on a white café table. One is orange, one is deep red, each with a black straw. A yellow plastic basket with food wrapping is visible in the background.

these were the days that didn't feel historic while they were happening. we ordered things we liked. we sat in the sun. we didn't know it was almost over.

episode 21

the closing
one

you watched me arrive uncertain and leave softer. you followed the reading lists, the garden, the photos, the quiet parts. this wasn't just a semester abroad. it was the first time i let people watch me grow in real time. thank you for staying.

sounds like baby steps · olivia dean

A small bouquet of pink lilies and white baby's breath tied upside down and hanging from a window latch. Through the open window, a bright blue sky and mid-rise residential buildings are visible in the distance.
A vivid sunset viewed from a residential balcony in Madrid. The sun sits low between silhouetted buildings and trees, casting deep orange and red across the sky. A swimming pool and basketball court are visible in the courtyard below.
A young woman with long dark hair and black glasses takes a low-angle selfie on a sunny sidewalk. She wears a black cardigan over a mint green top with light wash jeans and holds a pink water bottle. Bare-trunked plane trees and a brick building line the street behind her.
A young woman takes a mirror selfie in a dimly lit bathroom with warm amber-tiled walls. She wears a black textured cropped jacket, light wash jeans, and a pearl necklace, and carries a small dark bag with a chain strap.

盛放于所在之处. bloom where you are planted.

closing note

twenty-one episodes
of madrid complete

盛放于所在之处 — bloom where you are planted.

this semester taught me that belonging isn't about knowing all the answers. it's about showing up as yourself, letting people watch you figure it out, and allowing the small moments to matter. thank you for being here.

contact

let's keep
the conversation going

if a phrase helped. if a page felt printable. if you're also turning a semester abroad into something you can actually study from... let's talk. i'm always interested in stories that refuse to stay flat.

wechat: jadewowgreen goodreads: jadewowgreen github: jadewowgreen IU github: jlzhao27