Trading Charlotte for Madrid

Hello! My name is Valentina Scarpitta, I am a junior majoring in Global Studies and minoring in Mass Communications. I am taking a month-long USC faculty-led program worth six credits in International Multimedia courses to complete my minor in Madrid!

My program is led by two professors from the College of Information and Communications, who have assigned us groups to conduct a multimedia cultural research project in Madrid. My group is going to be doing research on the market culture in Madrid. For example, El Rastro is a market that happens every Sunday in the city, where there are vendors selling all kinds of apparel, accessories, and other goods. We have already found contacts and coordinated interviews with vendors and event coordinators. We will be interviewing them and gaining insight on what it takes to bring the famous market together, and how it impacts local culture and tourism.

What’s nice about doing a month-long summer program is less paperwork. You do not need to get a visa or other specific documents that are required for longer programs.

In terms of preparation I am nervous that I came underprepared. I am a huge procrastinator, and like to irresponsibly hold things off until the last minute because I have convinced myself that I work better under pressure. Being one of the only students at the airport without a checked bag has me feeling nervous, but I think as long as I remembered my toothbrush, underwear, and passport I am prepared enough.

I have wanted to study abroad in Spain since the first time I visited Valencia and Barcelona in March of 2025 for a spring break trip. Spanish is my first language, and from the moment I got off the plane, I felt at home. In the United States I am used to speaking Spanish with just my family, but hearing my language buzzing around me everywhere I went was an exhilarating comfort I had never experienced before. During that same trip, I began my research on what USC has to offer for study abroad programs in Spain. This program aligned best with my schedule and degree path!

Our arrival time is 5:30 am Spain time… they say you shouldn’t sleep when you first arrive at your destination but I am hoping to squeeze in a brief nap before beginning my exploration in Madrid because I have been struggling to sleep on this plane. Today we do not have anything planned until a group dinner at seven PM. Before then I am hoping to walk around our neighborhood to get an idea of what's around where we are staying.

I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity and cannot wait to share more about my experience in Madrid! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more! Adios!

View of Madrid from the plane