Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain by nicola

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, Spain?

Because there are the best transports of Europe and because i would like to learn a new language. Now i speak a very good Spanish. :)

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

9 months. 270 for month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

Studying everyday and going out all the nights. Sometimes it was very difficult finding the time to sleep.

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

Yes, absolutely. The Campus of Moncloa is very good.

What is the food like?

I love tapas. In every "cerveceria" you can drink a beer and eat some tapas with less than 1,4 euros.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

I looked for a room for one week and after that i founded it. There are a lot of oportunities between 300e and 400e. I paid 370 per month all included for a single room in a beautifull flat with other erasmus students near Moncloa. The best oportunities were near "Plaza De Espana"(300-400), Moncloa(350-400) and Lavapies(250-350). The flat is the most expensive thing...after that, everything is cheap.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

370 flat all included + 50 per month pass transport + 250 food + fun (going out at less 4 times a week)

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

There were language courses of 40 hours for every erasmus student organized by the university and after that there was a lot of courses for foreigners students, and not students.

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

Ryanair from Pisa Airport(IT).

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

Go to park of Debod's temple to do a "botellon".
On thursday go to Joy(disco), near Puerta del Sol, because it is a big funny discoteque and is free for all foreigner students(with a bracelet).
Go to all the party of ESN UCM. Every thursday there are funny parties in "Lupe De Huertas".
Go around Puerta del Sol because there is a lot of disco bar with free entrance and one shot included (with free entrance).

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

"100 montaditos", 2 or 3 days a week everything cost 1 euro.
"Surena", a fanny place where with 3 euros you can take 5 bottles of Corona(0,2L) in a bucket with ice.
Sidreria "El Tigre", a place where with 2,5 euros you can drink a bier with "half-kilo" of tapas. :)
"Museo del Jamon", sandwiches very cheap, a lot of dishes very cheap.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Madrid is a city where living and where knowing all streets by walk. It's very interesting and funny walking in Madrid. It's not a turistic city with a very big attraction but living there, everyday, you can discover a lot of beautiful treasures. The most known places could be: Plaza de Espana with the Donquijote statue, Palacio Real, Plaza Cibeles, Gran Via, Puerta del Sol and everything near this place, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, Parque del Retiro...Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Rastro de Lavapies, neibourhood of Malasana, Fuencarral Street, Alcalà Street, Teleferico de Madrid, Parque de Attracciones de Madrid...and much more

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

The city lives everyday at everyhour. Every pub, every corner, every street is special and you have to LIVE it. :)