Simply falling in love with Madrid, by Silvia

Why did you choose to go to Madrid, España?

The reason of my choice?

Simple, all those who came back from Madrid said they would come again or move there. Everyone falls in love with this city and that's why I chose it to do my studies abroad (Erasmus).

And if someone asks you: "Would you like to go to a place in which the sun shines 24/7? In which you will find nice and open people? in which you pay for a drink and you get free tapas? In which you pay only 20€ (Under 26 Years old) for using all the transports? In which inhabitants are always happy because they start working at 10? " What will you answer? Of course that I wanna go.

So, here I am. Ready to share with you my personal experience.

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

The scholarship provided by my home university is for 4 months, the period of my stay in Madrid.

I've received 380€ each month and I used these amount to "enjoy" Madrid's lifestyle.

The extent is around 500€ for paying the rent.

You can easily find flats that are cheaper, but you have to share them with at least 5/6 people.. it would be a mess. So think about your priority first and than choose the one which fulfills your requirements. The only problem you will face could be the minimum stay: many landlords ask at least a stay of 9 months or 1 year.

Don't give up, the demand is high as well as the offer. so I'm quite sure you won't be an homeless.

What is the student lifestyle like in Madrid?

I really enjoyed the lifestyle... people love going out and sharing a beer with others. As they said "Vamos a Tomar algo? " and this sentence is used daily. Lot of parties, discos open 24/7, it's like the heaven for students.

Probably the problem is not "what can I do today? Or with whom can I go out? ", but is "maybe I need a rest, Madrid is killing me. " Obviously I'm joking, but in Madrid this really happens.

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

At the begging I though the university would have been easier and with more free time. But it wasn't, because the attendance is compulsory and you have a lot of assessments during the semester. Despite that, we did a lot of case studying (I'm a law student) and I've developed a more practical approach. Teachers really care about you and help you in all your needs and are always available. Therefore I recommend this university, especially because is a private one, and you can really improve your skills.

Is not necessary to recommend the city, Madrid speaks for itself. By the way, I really recommend it especially for the vitality and all the activities you can find. You cannot even imagine how much things are waiting for you: cinemas, theaters, shops, museums, football games etc.

What I like most is the possibility to watch a film in the cinema in original language and with the subtitles in Spanish. I went couple of times to the "Cinema la Princesa" near Plaza de España; close to it there are lot of other cinemas and it will be a good way to spend a different night in Madrid and enjoy it as well.

If you are here during the summer there are also "open air" cinemas. One of my favourite, also because it was close to my house, is the one in the cultural centre "Conde Duque". Every day they played different films based on different genres. For example, every Monday they played cartoons; every Tuesday drama films etc. So you only need to choose a day and the right company, and then you are ready to watch it.

In summer there are also many swimming-pool open, like the one in the Complutense University in which the entry was only for 5€ for te all day, if I'm not mistaken. I went there once a week in August because it was the only "warm" place in the whole city.

What is the food like?

OMG, I think I'm "enriching" my belly daily.

Nobody will recognise me when I'll come back to Italy.

I spend 5 months eating every moment because there is always a bar or whatever opens, whenever you want. It's impossible to be on a diet! So bear in mind that, before coming to Madrid.. it isn't the right place to keep fit.

Typical dishes? Paella, jamon, tapas, patatas bravas, churros etc.. no worries, you will be always starving and thirsty as well.

My favourite plate are "croquetas" and are combined with ingredients such as jamon or bacalao; or with a creamy cheese. The best place to get them is at "Mercado San Miguel". Leave your feelings raptured by the perfume of the fresh food. There are a lot of markets around the city, but this one is definitely the best.

You will satisfied your taste.

Another spot if you really want to eat yummy food is "La Mallorquina" in Puerta del Sol and it’s the best pasteleria in Madrid. Their motto is "pastel es la respuesta, a nadie importa la pregunta"; it means that sweets are always the answer and no question is necessary.

Near this spot there is another one: Chocolateria San Gines. It is a cafè which has served chocolate and churros since 1894: churros are fried batter linear doughnut and are served freshly cooked. Try to imagine at what time it is full? Around 5/6 am.. do you know why? Becouse all the people go there after the disco to continue with the "after party".

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Madrid?

No, it didn't. I looked on many websites before coming and I booked the room online. There are always "pisos" available, because the demand is very high. The only problem you might face with, is that some landlord requires a minimum stay of 9 months or 1 year. By the way, you'll find the right solution that fits your requirements.

There are lot of websites in which find all the informations: idealista, spotahome, easypiso etc. but a personal advice is to visit them, before booking a flat on the internet: sometimes they look completely different.

How much does it cost to live in Madrid?

People said "Madrid it's not expensive. It's cheap". They were lying... it's a capital and for that reason prices are not so low, as I thought.

Beers, tapas, clothes in some shops are definitely lower than in Italy, for example. But it depends. Or, on the other hand, you won't save money because you'll find cheap stuffs and you're gonna buy massive quantities of those.. so, at the end, you'll spending the same amount.

Despite that, for student there are lot of discounts in the supermarket, in the gym, in shops, for the transport card etc. Especially the "tarjeta de los transportes" it's very cheap if you are under 26: 20€ and you can use it for all the kind of transports and for all the "zones" of Madrid. Buy it and you will save a lot of money and time, for sure.

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

I'm Italian and for me was easy to learn the language, even if I have never had Spanish classes in Italy. It's quite similar to Italian and you can really understand everything.. if they speak slowly.. if you don't understand just say "puede hablarme mas despacio? ". Don't worry, they won't get angry if they have to repeat... Spaniards are nice people.

In my university are available Spanish classes for each level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1. I had courses twice a week and each lesson is one hour and a half. We did a lot of conversation between us and a lot of exercise. So I'm sure you will learn quickly.

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

I'm from Udine, a small city in the North east of Italy and I took the flight from Venice. It wasn't very economic becouse I flew with "Iberia", company. But I think that you can flight from Verona or other places with Ryanair, so it will be cheaper.

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

It's difficult to answer. I think that one year isn't enough to go, at least, in half of the bars or discos around Madrid.

Anyway I recommend an Apèritif in a roof top overlooking Madrid. There are a lot and deserved during summer. Then have dinner in a chic restaurant in Chueca or Salamanca districts or at "Lateral" in Plaza Santa Ana. After dinner go for a drink again... it's never enough. You always need alcohol circulating in your body.

After that, when you reach the right level of "party mood" you can go to Joy Eslava, Gabana, Opium, Tiffany.. you will have too many choices!

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

My only advice is: take a breath, go out, explore the city and try to immerse yourself fully.

By the way, I think that Madrid can satisfy all the tastes. My favourite spot is "Tierra" where you can eat the typical Mexican burrito. OMG, I'm hungry again. I always go there with my flat mates and the best companionship is made by drinking a cerveza. I'm sure you will enjoy it as well. I also appreciate the interior design... there's a little bit of darkness, but shy lights will help you in finding the way to the bar.

If you want to eat a yummy and cheap hamburger, you cannot miss "donoso hamburger" in Calle Donoso Cortes. You won't waste your time choosing the flavours, because you can only add tomatoes or cheese.. that's all. Take away is better.. so pay and go straight to home.

Do you miss Japan? Well done, go to "Sushita" in Calle Alberto Aguilera. It's quite expensive but you'll find it delicious. If you go on Saturday night or in big groups, is better to book a table. If you're a warrior and would like to do it without a previous reservation... take it easy and wait outside.

Pizza? I don't have favourite restaurant because basically I ate pizza two times since I'm here. Probably it's a shame because I'm Italian and we are well known as "pizza, pasta, maccheroni" And we are supposed to eat them daily... but It didn't happen to me. Now, I'm looking forward to eat a margherita when I'm coming back.

Free tapas? "El Tigre" will be the best choice ever. For each drink you will get free tapas. Be carefully, people is used to throw food, tissues and whatever on the floor. Nobody really cares about it. Follow Spaniards and do the same. Is the only way to get deeply into "Madrid mood". Don't be shy. Step by step you will reach a freedom level that permit you to throw on the floor all the stuffs that you're grabbing in your hands.

You are at the end of your journey and you have only saved 1€? No worries, in Madrid you can have a "king meal", but only if you go to the "Jamon" museum. There are lot of spots around the city, because it's very typical. For 1€ you can eat a piece of bread with something (eatable) on top. Watch your head, some lamb of ham could fall over your head.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are a lot of museum and all of them are for free on fixed days:

• Prado,
• Reina Sofia,
• Palacio Real,
• Telefonica,
• Museum of Modern art,
• Palacio Cibeles,
• Plaza Major,
• Puerta de Alcalà,
• Retiro Park,
• Gran Via,
• Archeological museum,
• Museum Tyssen.

Other things to do are: Watch a flamenco show because Madrid is a stage for some of the best flamenco dancers. I watched the show in Granada in a cave and it was amazing. You can really get into the typical Spanish atmosphere.

If you have free time on Sunday go to La Latina: It's overcrowded by people and is the typical Sunday meeting point. After some shopping in the market, let's drink a beer under the sun. This statement it's always valid, since I'm here, it has rained only a couple of times. There are also lots of green areas and my favorite is "Parque Oeste".

I usually go there because is an ancient Egyptian temple and by the sunset it's stunning. Watch it with your boyfriend or girlfriend. If you are single, you won't be alone... I'm sure you will find someone with whom share it.

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

Try to live it to its fullest.. time flys so fast that you cannot immagine.

I had the best 5 months of my life and now it's almost time to come back. I will take in my heart all the people I met, all the trips I did and all the memories I shared.

So, a last advice: buy a diary and write down all what you do, where would you go, where have you been, your feelings, the people you know.. everything that comes to your mind.

Really, DO IT! It's the only way to fill your mind with memories and to fix them forever. If you ask me what I ate yesterday, I probably won't remember. But If you ask me "how was your erasmus experience at the beginning" I will remember every detail.. by making a reference to the diary, of course.

One more thing, "we're young, wild and free" (yeh, I know is a song), and for that reason we have to catch all the opportunities life gives to us and be always ready to fly and explore the world. Enjoy madrid and enjoy life, because we have only one possibility to be happy and we cannot waste it.

One last thing you will looking forward to start the new adventure and you will leave a piece of your heart in the city you lived.