As a recipient of the Vira Heinz for Women in Global Leadership, Madison studied abroad in Havana, Cuba for six weeks. In Cuba, Madison took three courses that focused on her Spanish by learning colloquial Cuban terms, as well as Cuban culture and Cuban cinema. Madison's interest and focus during this international experience was to learn and dive herself into the Cuban culture while improving her Spanish to better communicate with the Cuban people. Madison studied the development of Spanish and how the colloquial terms she learned came about, as well as learning about the history of Cuba since colonization and how that still affects Cuban society today. During her time in Cuba, she visited many monuments during three class excursions, furthering her knowledge about the city of Havana and Cuba as a whole. She also traveled to the provinces of Matanzas, Trinidad and Cien Fuegos, Cuba where she learned about slavery in Cuba during the sugar cane era as well as different religions in Cuba from African origins. Madison was also able to talk to Cubans about their government and politics, their view on the United States as well as their views on free education and healthcare during in class interviews with Cubans on the street. She spoke with Cubans daily to learn more about Cuba than what was taught in class, and to gain a different perspective. By doing this she also learned more Spanish terms than taught in class. One day she hopes to return to Cuba to help people who want to immigrate to the United States as well as help out others get out of poverty within Cuba. From taking her three courses, going out on excursions and talking with Cubans every chance she got, Madison gained a greater understanding of the Cuban way of life, improved her language skills and built long lasting relationships with people there that she soon hopes she can help.