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Maxwell Okamura 

Bio: Hello, my name is Max Okamura. I’m from Columbus, Ohio and will be studying International Studies and Economics. I’m a soccer enthusiast and enjoy spending time with my friends, family, and cat Sasha. I’ve been studying Spanish since 7th grade and I’m excited to practice and improve my skills. I chose the Madrid Cornerstone for three main reasons: to immerse myself in Spanish culture (go to Real Madrid games), be in a cohort with other ambitious students/travelers with an interest in international affairs, and allow myself another opportunity to study abroad without affecting my path to graduation. As a Cornerstone Ambassador, I look forward to documenting and sharing my experiences and hope to bring other students along for this life-changing program in the future.

September 22nd Blog:

Hello! My name is Max Okamura, and I’m from Columbus, Ohio. I’m majoring in International Studies and Economics. 

As a soccer player with a Spanish language background, I knew AU Madrid was perfect for me. Now, after being here for a couple of weeks, I can confidently say that I made a great decision to come here for my first semester. I look forward to sharing my adventures, advice, and experiences these next few months. 

I arrived at the residence (RESA) on September 1st. After some unpacking, I met the other students in the lobby for our building orientation. We had the infamous first day of college bonding experience and quickly realized how lucky we were. A short walk around the city, delicious Spanish gelato, views of the sunset reflecting on our rooftop pool, and meeting the lovely program staff highlighted the first day, which concluded with a group dinner in the dining hall. After the first day, the program picked up pretty quickly. September 2nd was our academic orientation at the International Institute, and, the following day, we began our journey around Spain. 

The first cultural excursion this semester was a trip to the ancient city of Toledo. With Romans, Barbarians, Muslims, and Christians attempting to leave their mark on the city for over 2,000 years, we were left with some incredible stories to see. Our first stop was Mezquita del Cristo de la Luz. In English, it's the Mosque of the Christ of Light. The Mosque was built in 999 and was in practice until Toledo was taken by Christians around 1085. The Christians then transformed it into a church, but the Islamic origin is still highly visible. 

Some additional stops included the Cathedral of Toledo, Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, and Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca, a synagogue turned church built by Muslim architects. Enthralled with what Toledo had to offer, six of us ambitiously trekked a small mountain with hopes of seeing the sunrise over the city. Although we should have known that the sun wouldn't rise from that direction, we were still given this beautiful view of Toledo. 
Another benefit of the program is the weekly local adventures within the community of Madrid. Instead of classes on Friday, we take trips around the city to learn about different regional dynamics and lifestyles. This week, we went to Cercedilla, a mountainous village to the northwest, for a hike with our College Writing professor. This small city of 7,000 gave birth to a brother-sister duo of Olympic medalists, houses a ski resort and a Roman road from the second century. Cercedilla was a great place to reconnect with nature and unplug from the city. Although I may not be used to mountains and bulls on the hikes back in Ohio, it gave me a familiar sense of hiking with my family.  

There’s no doubt that we’re expecting lots of fun this semester. But do remember, this is a STUDY abroad. I take 15 credits (the normal amount) and have classes in International Migration, Writing, Microeconomics, Spanish Culture & Politics, and Spanish Language. All of the professors are from American University and the only people in our classes are American University students. If you have college credit, the program works closely with you to find other classes that fit your schedule and interests. Mediterranean Art History is a very popular option that includes multiple museum visits into the curriculum to study the art in person. I’ve only heard amazing things about that class, so if you have the opportunity, I’d take it. 

Now that classes have started, it may seem like the fun is slowing down. However, the social benefit of living in such a vibrant city is unimaginable until you experience it. The Vuelta a España, the Spanish Tour de France was last week. This week, friends and I may watch the Madrid Fashion Show, and Real Madrid plays UCL football in the Santiago Bernabeu the following week. In Madrid, the festivities truly never end. 

Some things to look for in the next blog are Catalonia, Retiro Park, El Derbi, Barrio de Las Letras, and so much more. I can’t wait to see what else I have in store and hope to hear from you and see you soon at AU! 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:

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