Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain by Danae

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, Spain?

Because I've heard a lot of good things about the city and I always wanted to visit Spain in general.

Source

Important: The rating with the stars, above, is not correct.. I can't edit it! I put 5 stars to almost everything!

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

At first I was about to stay for six months, but after 5 months I talked with my university and asked them to stay for 6 more months. Each month I received something around 420€, if I remember correctly.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

It is excellent, very amusing, lots of things to do for fun, for trips, many cultural centres and expositions, many bars/clubs/pub-style places and of course, many wonderful parks that you wanna visit them everyday!

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

Yes, definitely! One of the best cities for students!

What is the food like?

Amazing and very cheap. They have many offers in every restaurant you go! Good quality in most of them!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

Not that much... I was searching a lot from before, but then I thought I didn't want to rent a place without seeing it in person first. So, when I arrived I did some searching again and in 4 days, I trusted an agency-kind-of-office, that was for student accommodation in particular. The big problem was in February, that I decided to move to another place... No proprietor rents you an apartment for less than a year (12 months) and I wanted to stay for only 5-6! I guess, if you refer to an agency this won't be an issue, but I didn't have the money to pay an agency, anymore.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Very little, guys. Everything, except transport, was cheaper than in my country. The food is cheap, the rent is okey, all about recreation is for free most of the times!

If you want some rough numbers, something around 150-200€ per month, without the rent!

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available in the University?

It is very easy! At least for me... and in 2-3 months you can communicate perfectly!

I know there are many courses organized by different universities. I didn't wish to take any, I had already taken some lessons before.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Madrid from your city?

Airplane.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Madrid?

You want names? Well I don't remember names, of bars or whatever. But what we did, was to buy some beers, some rum and cola, some ice and wonder to the city's streets and parks. Oh, I remember La Sureña. Very cheap beer, 3 euros for 5 bottles of beer (small ones, but still is good)! But there are so many things going on in the city every week, that you'll always find something new to do or go!

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Madrid?

"El museo del jamon" is one of the most famous, but not the best. You should definitely try it though. I'm not good with names... Near Plaza de Santa Ana there was one restaurant that I enjoyed a lot, with a kinda futuristic name, I think. A bit hidden from the outside, it's all white. And I remember 1-2 Italian restaurants that were very good, the one very close to Sol and the other one in Alcala. Well, I know I didn't helped a lot, sorry.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

This I remember! Museums of art: Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen, Caixa Forum. For exhibitions and many other stuff: La casa encedida, Matadero. You have to go there.

There are many more places to go, but I'll let you find them yourselves!

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Madrid?

Have fun, meet Spanish people, speak Spanish, eat paella, enjoy tapas, drink, go everywhere and walk a lot so you can see more, do new things everyday, learn from what you see from each city-country you go.

Oh! And since you are in Madrid, make a lot of trips to the close and far-away cities! You can make it very inexpensively! Go to Portugal, go to Morocco, travel Europe!