Two Bobcats in Madrid

We asked Bret Barnett and Jonathan Fouser, the Founding Deputy Heads of Brewster Madrid, what it has been like moving from the hamlet of Wolfeboro (population 6,300) to the metropolis of Madrid (population 3.6 million).

What was your first impression of the city?

What’s the vibe like there?

BB: I have forever been looking for a city that had the cultural depth and feel of NYC, but with less hustle and bustle. I think I have found it in Madrid. Very liveable and clean.

JF: A wonderful mix of tranquility and vibrancy. Within a short walk one can wander the bustling Gran Via and then quickly escape into the Caso Campo, a large park on the western side of the city.

BB: And the people in Madrid are very welcoming and very laid back. They take their midday siestas seriously and do not take themselves too seriously—they work to live, no one lives to work.

Where do you enjoy spending your free time?

BB: While the museums and parks are great, I like the theater productions. I’ve been to see Matilda, Mamma Mia, and The Lion King all twice and all in Spanish. I’m also loving my neighborhood restaurants. When I walk in and the folks already know my order, it is such a good feeling, as if Madrid is truly becoming home.

JF: Caso Campo, Retiro, Prado, Reina Sofia. I love walking around with Bret and exploring. An afternoon stroll can take many hours and include stops at numerous cafes. Even getting lost is so much fun.

What is the food like? Have you discovered any favorite dishes?

JF: The options can be overwhelming. I like visiting local establishments for the menu of the day. The soup is always great!

BB: Yes, you can find any kind of food here that you want, minus a few American staples. You’d be hard-pressed to find mac and cheese, maple syrup, or anything with processed sugar. The food tastes clean. And the traditional Spanish food is delicious… craving tortilla de patata as I type! In terms of food culture, I found there is rarely ever salt and pepper on the table and finding butter is a task.

Can you tell us something that surprised you about Madrid?

JF: Although always busy and lively, the city truly comes to life late at night. As Hemingway said, “Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night.”

BB: Everything is very inexpensive. This surprised me: A full grocery shopping trip only costs about 40 euros. Amazing!

Any funny anecdotes about getting to know the city?

BB: In Spain, the ground floor is 0, not 1 like in the U.S. This took a bit to adjust to as my neighbors in apartment 2B had to direct me up to my 3B apartment a couple of times.

JF: Don’t try to eat dinner between 5 and 9 p.m.!

What has been the toughest transition?

BB: Being around Spanish 24/7. As my Spanish is only mediocre, I have struggled at times to communicate and have certainly developed so much empathy for anyone trying to live in a second language. Nevermind a third or a fourth.

JF: Being away from my daughter, Névé, and my wife, Marta [Dr. Marta Filip-Fouser is the Dean of Teaching and Learning and Educational Research in Wolfeboro].

What has been the most fun?

JF: Entering each day with no expectations and being open to all new experiences.

BB: Working with this amazing team. It is not easy to live abroad and also not easy to start a school. I feel so fortunate to have such a committed team of professionals around me to help bring this vision of a K-12 school in Madrid to fruition. I think the most fun is truly ahead—September 7 (the first day of school), here we come!