Erasmus Experience in Madrid, Spain by Yvonne

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, Spain?

The weather, the food, the language, the people, the city, the party, the lifestyle... EVERHTHING

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

€220 a month, for 5 months

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

AMAZING! Parties every night, very relaxing life style.... you meet people from all over the world.

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

Definitely!!

What is the food like?

Great! If you love tapas, meat, and beer.... it's the best place for you. It's pretty cheap too. Sometimes a bit too much greasy food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

No, but to find good accommodation it might be a bit more difficult. I was lucky though.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

Depends on where you live, how often you eat out, travel, and party! I'd say between 300 and 500 for rent. Going out can be as cheap and as expensive as you like (also depends whether you're a guy or a girl..). Transportation is around 35 for a monthly abono and the metro is great. Taxi's are pretty cheap, it's usually around 8 euros within the center, the most I've ever paid was 13 euros to get from one side of the city to the other. Grocery shopping is more or less the same as in the Netherlands. 

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

At Complutense there's a free 2 week language course. If you have classes in Spanish and not only surround yourself with people from your country or English-speaking people (so make Spanish, Latin american, or southern European friends) you will catch on fairly easy!

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

Plane (Iberia, Ryanair, Easyjet)

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

Templo de debod for botellon. Around Sol for a round of free shots, 100 montaditos for cheap beer. Avoid any Irish pub... as for clubs Kapital is famous for its 7 floors but I wouldnt say it's the best one, although you need to check it out at least once. Joy eslava is touristy but good to dance and also a big erasmus place.. Around Salamanca neighborhood are the fancy places (pretty and expensive), around Plaza de españa are some places for electronic music. La Latina on Sundays (but also other days)
For erasmus from Complutense.. La lupe on thursdays^^

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

Ginger at plaza del angel.. 100 montaditos on wednesdays and sundays (everything for €1, but as the portions are small the drinks are more worth the money)
La mordida for mexican food. And chocolate con churros after clubbing, the best and most famous one around the corner from Joy. 

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Palacio Real and the royal gardens, museo del Prado/Reina Sofia, Palacio de cibeles, the parks (Retiro, Parque del oeste, Casa de campo, parque rey juan carlos I), plaza mayor, Templo de debod, also the small cities around Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Alcalá de henares, Ávila.

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

Just go and you will fall in love =)