Sophomore Emilio Tenacio has headed back to Suffolk Madrid for the 2021 sprign semester after his time abroad a year ago cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While stamping his academic passport, Tenacio will check in with GoSuffolkRams.com from time-to-time to tell Ram Nation what she has been up to abroad.

Tenacio is taking Ram Nation on his journey thorugh first-person narratives. Below is his first entry. 

My journey in Madrid continues! It is now my third semester abroad and living in Spain still feels like a dream. Despite the pandemic taking place and getting sent home early due to the circumstances the past two semesters, it has been worth every minute to be able to still have the opportunity to study abroad.

I’m practically a veteran in Madrid at this point and it has been a totally different experience not being one of the new students. Being the person that gets asked the questions more than the one asking them has allowed me to explore Madrid to a whole new level. The number of restaurants, bars, and tapas places that I have discovered are endless.

One of my favorite things to do around the city is rent a moped and go for a drive on “El paseo de la Castellana,” which is the main street that crosses through the heart of Madrid from north to south. Passing by the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid Stadium) everyday is the most satisfying thing in the world, coming from a Real Madrid fan at least. It’s like if Fenway Park was in your backyard back home. Passing by the Prado Museum and seeing the Diego Velazquez statue gives me goosebumps every time. Especially since I’m discovering the immense amount of art works that are in the Prado thanks to my art history class that I’m currently taking this semester.

I look forward on keeping you guys updated on my journey again!     

Fans, families, alumni and friends can check in with what Isaak and Phelan are up to over sees by following their adventures on GoSuffolkRams.com or over social media by using the hashtag #RAMsinterNATIONal.