Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain by Diana

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, Spain?

For the possibility to live in a Capital first, then the opportunity to impruve my spanish. I have been in Madrid one before and only for few days, but i have fallen in love for it. You will find example of modern architecture in the project of some Metro station, or the grat solution to the problem of revalueting old building or no moro usefull facility in the Matadero (Now a cultural center). You will find an original egiptian temple in the middle of the city!
And the Metro is simple spetacular. If you have to use it daily is better if you make the monthly subscription. And if you are under 25 you can ask for the economic one.

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

My scholarship was 10 month. they give me two rate the first of 1600 euro and the secon of 600 euro when the erasmus ended. And in the way they give it to me they didn't help to pay the living csost during the erasmus.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Actually that depends on the course that you choose. But the weeked you always have some party to go or some Discoteque to discover.

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

Yes. Even if you are a calm tipe of person and just walk around the city to discover her little beauty parts. You can listen a concert of the filarmonic of Madrid by chance. Or be a testimonial of a scene of theater of improvisation. Or just meet the madrilenos.

What is the food like?

Well tht is something that disapinted me, actually. The spanish food is for the 80% fried! And if at the star is ok, afther sometime your stomach feel it. In the bad way. I loved the Tortilla, is really good, but i fried chips in fried eggs... unfortunatley after sometime i cuoldn't eat it anymore. But if you have an iron stomach that shouldn't be a problem.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

I had some problem. But some of my coulleges find great accomodation in the center of the city. Actually you have to have some time at the start to go looking for the room. Because is vey easy to be tricked.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Luckly the living costs in general isn't higth. If you organise your time you can go to some place gratis. Some local have one day per week when you pay less. You can find a lot of supermarket of different marks for groceries wich are economic like Mercadona, Lidl, Eroski, Dia and some more. You can also go the some Gallery market that are very particular. You can live good enough with 200 euro (rent excluded).

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

Yes. And yes. The university organise spanish course of different level. The firsts languages courses are for free.

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

Ther is no easiest or ecnomicl way. I have to take the airplain and it isn't easy or economic.

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

Definitely. They use to say 'Salir por la noche' which means GO OUTSIDE FOR THE NIGTH.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Museum of Prato, first of all, then the other important museums as the Reina Sofia, when you can find the famous Picasso's Guernica, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Real Palace when you can find one of the most complete old armory collection of the world. You also ust see the Monastero de las Descalzas Reales and the National Library. But actually I really sugest to go take a walk trough the city she will astound you at every tourn