Disability Accommodations While Abroad 

When I first learned about the opportunity to spend my first semester abroad, I was a little apprehensive for one main reason: I have chronic migraines, which can make things like travel, attending classes, and catching up on missed work incredibly difficult. In high school, I had a 504 plan that allowed me to get the help I needed, and when I decided which college I would attend, I immediately filled out all the necessary forms to receive academic accommodations at my school. 

However, those accommodations were only valid at my home institution, not while studying abroad. Thankfully, my school’s accommodations advisor pointed me to the correct place to request accommodations through CEA CAPA that would apply for my time abroad. The forms only took a few minutes to fill out, and within a week, I had been granted the accommodations I needed for the semester. 

Sunset in Sol: On our first night in Madrid, CEA CAPA took us on a walking tour of the city. Our final stop on the tour was in Puerta del Sol, right as the sun was setting. It was beautiful! 

This process was far easier than I had imagined, and everyone I spoke with was incredibly helpful throughout. I reached out to my CEA CAPA advisor a few months before departure (if you don’t know who yours is, contact your home college!), and then all I had to do to request accommodations was fill out the “Academic & Residential Life Accommodation Request Form” to explain my needs. Someone from CEA CAPA reached out to me afterward! Everyone I spoke with was quick to answer my many questions, and I’m so grateful that this process was set up in an easy-to-understand way. 

What Happens if You Have a Flare-Up? 

Having a flare-up can be scary enough at home in the U.S., but when I had a severe one partway through my time in Madrid, I was even more worried. I had accommodations set up, so I knew that everything would be okay with my classes, but there was still a lot to deal with. My flare-up lasted over a week, during which I was unable to attend any classes. Finally, I decided that a trip to the hospital would be helpful (which is what I do at home when it gets that bad). 

Chemistry Lab: I took two labs, both held on Fridays at Nebrija University. The lab setup was very nice, and it was interesting to see a different lab environment than I was used to. 

I was incredibly nervous about going to a hospital in another country, especially one where I wasn’t completely comfortable with the language, so it was reassuring that someone from the CEA CAPA office came with me to walk me through everything. This person brought me to the hospital, stayed with me the whole time, and accompanied me back afterward. It turned out I had been worried for nothing—my experience at the hospital in Madrid was actually better than any experience I’ve had at a hospital in the States! Everyone was very kind, helpful, and patient with me through the language barrier. 

Additionally, my specific accommodations allowed flexibility with class attendance, which was very helpful in this situation. I also had extended deadlines on homework when needed and the opportunity to reschedule missed exams. I ended up using all of my accommodations during this flare-up, so I was glad I had them in place! 

Nuevos Ministerios Christmas Market: This is me at the Christmas market in Nuevos Ministerios, a neighborhood in Madrid! I’m standing next to a Lego snowman, built at one of the shops set up in the market. Starting in late November, Christmas markets like this one appeared all over the city, adding a fun holiday theme to my time in Madrid! 

Having a flare-up, especially such an intense one, is definitely not an ideal situation. However, I would say that it went as well as it could, considering all of the circumstances beyond my control. In the end, my trip to the hospital significantly helped with my pain levels, and I was able to attend classes again soon after. I caught up on my work as quickly as possible, and my teachers were patient with me throughout the process. 

Dealing with a disability while abroad is definitely stressful, but with the help of others, it went as smoothly as possible. By communicating with CEA CAPA staff, my professors, program assistants, and my roommate, I was able to get all the help I needed to make my time in Madrid amazing. 

My Experience in Madrid 

Overall, I had an incredible time in Madrid! I definitely faced more difficulties than some of my peers, but that didn’t stop me from having a great experience. Additionally, I studied abroad during my first semester of college and as a STEM student, so there were unique challenges in that aspect! I loved having the opportunity to start my college journey abroad; I gained so much independence and confidence through this experience. Despite being a little apprehensive before my time in Madrid, everyone I spoke with was so helpful and patient, walking me through the steps so I could figure out what I needed to do. 

Metro:This is a Metro station on Line 6 in Madrid. I used this station every day to get from my residency to my classes. It was always clean, and the trains were always on time! 

I attended most of my classes in the Madrid CEA CAPA office, which was right at the heart of the city in Puerta del Sol. Going to classes every day and seeing the beautiful scenery in the plaza—watching people sightseeing and going about their lives—was such a simple yet beautiful experience. I also lived in a residency with other college students from all over the world, which gave me valuable perspectives on different people and cultures. 

The city of Madrid was so beautiful, and I loved getting to know the culture of this amazing place. Studying abroad was an incredible experience; I gained so much knowledge in both academic and interpersonal aspects and definitely learned to be more open-minded and curious. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to gain a new perspective on the world and to not let anything limit them. There may be more challenges depending on factors such as disability, major, and timing, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! 

Sol in December: I took this photo on my last night in Madrid. In the winter, a giant tree is put up in the center of Puerta del Sol, beautifully lit at night! Also, the Tío Pepe building is where the CEA CAPA office is, and where I took my classes! 

This post was written by Mya Martin, a CEA CAPA Alumni Ambassador from the University of Massachusetts, who studied abroad in Madrid, Spain.