Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain by Gonçalo

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, Spain?

Madrid was not my first option.

It was on my options list due to what you heard about the lifestyle and people from Madrid. The university that I have chosen, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid was also another reason to come to Madrid. Besides that, the language was an important aspect to my choice, since it's really easy to speak and understand for a native Portuguese speaker.

In spite of not have been my first option, it was a really good one!

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

I didn't receive any scholarship.

Unfortunately, at my home university they are limited and the process of selection of giving scholarships to the students is based on your GPA. They divide the budget that they have between the students until all the money being distributed to the ones with higher GPA (I cannot tell the minimum GPA that you have to have to receive it, because it always depend on each year budget).

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

The city lifestyle is good. You can always manage your time between studies and entertainment since the professors at my university, are always there to help the Erasmus community, so as other Spanish students to.

Any day of the week, you can find something to do. There are always activities provided from Erasmus organisations like walking city tours, night-outs, trips to other really beautiful cities in Spain (like Salamanca, and some cities of the País Vasco) and other things like flamenco shows, that are tipical from Spain and really good shows!

For most of the cases, Madrid it's cheaper than their home town, although it was not my case, because it's more expensive than Lisbon. However, the costs are very similar, so for a Portuguese student it's not that expensive to have a good lifestyle in Madrid!

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

Yes I would.

What is the food like?

If you want to have dinner or lunch in Madrid, the food isn't that good. In fact, the most options that you have are franchises of burgers, pizzas etc.

However if you want to eat something during the afternoon while you drink a beer with your friends, Madrid is the best city for it. Their "tapas" are amazing for that kind of plan.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

If you go to Madrid with your accommodation already booked, time before the beginning of the semester, you can find it in a few days. This what I heard from other Erasmus people that have done that.

In my case, I preferred to find my accommodation after my arrival, in order to check the options with my own eyes. So, it was not that easy. In fact, to find a place to live in the area that I wanted, this is, in a good student area, near to the city centre, I think it was more or less like a "war" with other students that were in the same situation as me. Sometimes, you had booked to see a house or a room and when you arrived there the room was already occupied by other student.

Nevertheless, all that work and stress that I passed through was worth it, because that way I was sure about what I was paying for.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Living in the area that I lived, a good student area, very near to the city center, it costs between 350 and 450 with bills not included.

Then, to take care of all your expenses during the month like groceries, transports pass, night-outs, coffees and trips, you will need, on average, around 250 euros (all this, being careful with the money! ).

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

The language, for Portuguese people, it's very easy to understand and to speak. In the beginning it's a little more difficult because Spanish people speak very fast, but after some weeks of training you understand everything!

Yes, there are Spanish courses available at my university!

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

By plane. The price is low, and it's a 45 minutes flight.

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

Going out it's one of the best things to do in Madrid. You always have a good night out plan every day of the week.

If you like something different and big, I recommend you Kapital or Joy. They always have good parties with a lot of other Erasmus people.

If you want to go out during the week, I recommend you Gabana or Le boutique. They are located in a really good area of Madrid and they have really good offers for you. For example, Gabana, on Wednesdays, has free entrance until 1. 30 a. m. and Le boutique, on Thursdays, also has the same offer.

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

Don't fall in the mistake of going to the touristic area restaurants, where it's very expensive to eat and the food is not that good.

Good restaurants:

1. Lateral;

That it's more expensive, but the tapas are really good.

2. Casa Paco:

It has the best tortillas in the world, a tipical Spanish food.

3. Ochenta grados

4. El tigre:

If you want to eat and drink before a night out.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are a lots of museums in Madrid and they are free for students, like Prado museum, for example! You also have all the parks around the city, like "El Retiro", "Parque de las siete tetas" and "Parque del oeste" where you can see the best sunset of Madrid, right next to the "Templo de Debod", a really beautiful monument.

In the city centre you have the " Palacio Real", " Catedral de Almudena", Gran Vía, Palacio Cibeles that are good options to visit.

Besides that you have the city of Toledo (where you can go with your transports pass) and Segovia, really close to Madrid.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Madrid in the future?

The majority of my advices are above, in each answer.

An additional advice that I can give you is that, although the majority of universities are located far from the city centre (mine is at 35 minutes from the centre), don't make the mistake of living close to your university, instead of the city centre. The public transports in Madrid are really good and the transport pass is only 20 euros. For your Erasmus experience is much better to live by the centre of Madrid!