Spanish Student's U.S. Adventure:From Madrid to McKenzie

Spanish Student’s US Adventure: from Madrid’s private school to McKenzie

McKenzie, TN - For Alejandra Vargas Barragan, a 19-year-old Business Administration major from Madrid, Spain, her journey to Bethel University in McKenzie has been a significant chapter in her life. It’s a journey filled with international experiences and a strong commitment to doing her best. 

Madrid, a vibrant city of 7 million, is a place Alejandra describes with pride. She paints a picture of a city full of life, with famous landmarks like the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, and known for its amazing food scene. It’s a city she knows well, having lived there her whole life before starting her American adventure. Her childhood was shaped by the pace of a major European capital, very different from the quieter McKenzie.

Her decision to study in the U.S. was a long-time dream, driven by a desire for new experiences and academic growth. “I’ve always wanted to study in the US since I was pretty young,” she shares, admitting to a mix of excitement and nervousness as she arrived. Leaving her family and the comfort zone was a big step. “I didn’t know anybody here and I didn’t know how it was going to be,” she admits, feeling a concern about making new connections.

Upon arriving at Bethel, Alejandra found friendships with international students, especially those who spoke her native Spanish. While her English skills, developed through a French-speaking international school and extensive travel, allowed her to communicate, the shared language and culture provided a vital anchor. “It does feel more like home,” she explains. Even though the campus itself is not huge, it presented its own initial challenges in navigating, a small obstacle in the larger picture of her adjustment.

The cultural differences were noticeable, even though not extreme. The university’s religious background added a new aspect to campus life. Dormitories were separated by gender, and specific dress codes, like not being allowed to wear sleeveless shirts in the cafeteria, were initially surprising. However, the biggest change for Alejandra was the different meal times. She was used to late dinners in Spain, often between 9:30 PM and 11 PM, so the earlier meal schedule in McKenzie, with dinner no later than 7 PM, was a significant adjustment.

Alejandra’s journey is closely tied to her passion for tennis. She started playing at age of 7 in Madrid, a sport that demanded significant commitment along with her education. Her schooling was at a private French international school, where subjects like math and history were taught in French. This multilingual environment, combined with her natural ability to learn languages, has undoubtedly helped her settle in. “It’s the easiest language to learn,” she says of English, a testament to her skills in multiple languages.

Being a student-athlete in Spain was demanding. Her school day ran from 9 AM to 6 PM, followed by an hour and a half of tennis practice and then studying. This packed schedule left little time for anything else. “They didn’t help me at all back then compared to here, where they do help you,” she notes, highlighting the big difference in support for student-athletes.

Here at Bethel, her schedule feels more manageable. With just one practice session each afternoon and classes conveniently located near her dorm, she can manage her time better. “Teachers understand that you’re an athlete and they’re more understanding if you’re traveling,” she notes, appreciating the flexibility for student-athletes. But, the way college tennis works here is quite different from her experience in Spain. Back home, tournaments happened all year round, with lots of individual matches. Here, the season-based schedule and focus on team play, including doubles, was a surprise. “It’s more individual back home, and here it’s more about team spirit,” she explains, finding real value in the close bonds and support within a team. She especially remembers a winning match she secured for her team during spring break in Alabama.

Beyond school and tennis, Alejandra is also a working student, which is new for her. “Did you work during your high school in Spain? No,” she says, comparing her past to her current job at the campus cafeteria. It definitely adds to her busy life, but she likes the new independence and being able to help pay for things.

Everyday life in McKenzie also took some getting used to. “Here you need a car for everything,” she points out, a big change from her walkable life in Madrid. She relies on friends, her coach, and university transport, but the need for her own car is a notable difference.

Looking back, Alejandra’s view of the world has definitely grown. “You meet so many people from different parts of the world, in different situations. And from that, you learn a lot,” she reflects. Living on her own has helped her grow a lot as a person, a change from the more protected life she had with her family in Spain. She believes her ability to speak multiple languages gives her a special way of understanding and connecting with the world.

In the end, Alejandra sees herself back in Madrid, showing her strong ties to her home country. While she’s open to living and working in the U.S. for a while, her main goal is to contribute to Spain’s business world, possibly in marketing or starting her own business.

Her advice to her younger self, about to embark on this American adventure, is to be brave and connect with others: “Don’t be scared and talk to everyone, don’t be afraid. And just try to do everything you can, like go everywhere and just have fun.” Her Bethel experience, in her own words, has been “challenging, social, exciting, memorable and rewarding” - a fitting way to describe a journey that’s still unfolding!