Erasmus experience in Madrid, Spain by Arnaud

Why did you chose to go to Madrid, in Spain?

I am doing a joint honours in Economics and Modern Languages, and I wanted to improve my Spanish. With Argentina and Chile having a reversed academic calendar, I decided on Spain. I was hesitating between Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. Seville is smaller, and I told myself Madrid was the capital, the big city, and the best place to speak Castilian!

How long is your stay? What is the sum of the funding you receive?

I am staying the whole academic year, so from the start of September to May-June.

Combining the Erasmus grant and the one from my region (CROUS), I get around 2500€ for the year, which does not cover the housing completely.

How is the student life in Madrid?

Really good, it's a young city, with lots of historical universities, so students from the whole of Spain and from all around the world, lots of nights out and organised events.

Would you recommend the city and the university of Madrid to other students?

Yes, the city is pleasant, the people are nice, the public transport is efficient but expensive. The universities are good quality and people are open minded

How is the food in this country?

You eat really well in Spain! If you first think of tapas, delicious, cheap, amongst friends with a cube "de botellines" (3€, 5x20cl de cerveza). You can also find lots of small Spanish restaurants with the more land and sea Basque/Asturian cuisine, a rich Castilian cuisine and the famous paella valenciana...

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And capital city means, a multitude of Asian, Latino and African restaurants.

Did you have any difficulties finding a place to live in Madrid?

Coming for a year, I wanted to live in the centre to not struggle with transport to go to uni. It's expensive and you don't get what you pay for in terms of flats, but if you look carefully you can find something decent. I live with 8 other international students in a big flat in the very centre, on Gran Via.

What is the cost of living in Madrid?

That all depends on your budget and your criteria. Housing is expensive but the food in the small local markets is good quality and good price. The Corte Ingles (first chain of shops here) is expensive, but you can find some more affordable stores, Dia. In general clothing is cheaper and nights out are the same as in France, probably less pricey.

What is the language learning like? Have you been to any language classes organised by the university?

I already had a good level when I left, so I went without uni lessons. I live with a few people that speak Spanish, my lessons are primarily in Spanish so that's all good. And Spanish is close to French.

What is the most cost effective way of getting to Madrid from your town?

By plane via a low cost company.

What areas would you recommend to go out in Madrid?

Everywhere! For bars, Malasana, La Latina, around Plaza del Sol and Plaza Mayor.

For night clubs, spread out through the centre, in the places mentioned before, and Kapital, big place (7 stories) quite commercial, towards Paseo del Arte and Retiro.

No worries, you'll find your happy place.

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And eating in Madrid? What are your favourite places?

The old centre for Spanish food, la Latina and Lavapies fors the Latino and African restaurants, and the Chinese quarter.

And what cultural visits would you recommend?

Strolling around the old centre, visiting the 3 Paseo del Arte museums (Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia), walking around Retiro, visiting the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral...

And of course not forgetting the pretty nearby towns such as Toledo, Cuenca, Segovia, Salamanca, or even a walk in the Sierra which is not too far by bus and at a good price too.

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Any tips to give the future students going to Madrid?

Don't hesitate! It's a pleasant city and a good experience.