1. You’ll realize that everything you thought you knew about Spanish is wrong.
The difference between colloquial Castilian and what you were taught in high school is astonishing. You’ll get lectured by locals on using the vosotros form and teased for saying ‘ahorrita.’
2. You’d rather look cool than stay cool.
Appearance is everything in the city. The heat of early fall won’t deter you from wearing your scarves and boots. You’ll be determined to dress as well as the Madrileños and learn to cool off by bringing your abanico on the metro.