Details

• Spain
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

In my opinion, the best preparation is to plan and organize your trip early. Although most apartments are only put back on the market one or two months before they become available, it still makes sense to start looking early and familiarize yourself with the housing market in Madrid. Another thing I can highly recommend and something I did not do enough myself, s learning some basic Spanish beforehand. Even a little language knowledge will make your experience much more enjoyable and help you settle in more easily. Travel is super easy, you just book the flight early enough so they stay cheap and in madird, get yourself an uber from the airport to your apartment. It's around 20-30€. Also if you study at the UAM, I still recommend to stay in the city center and not at the campus, as it is a 30min train ride to the center.

2. Accommodation

The housing market in Madrid can be frustrating, but don't stress too much, with a bit of common sense you'll find something good. Just be aware of scams, stay calm, and trust the process. Safety-wise, Madrid feels very safe overall. The only area I'd personally avoid living in directly is Lavapiés. One practical tip: make sure you're close to a train station. The UAM campus is about a 30-minute train ride from Sol (city center), so your commute adds up quickly if you're not well-connected.

3. Academic life at host university

It's a completely new experience academically. The teaching style feels a bit more old-school, and the system can be confusing at first. In some courses, the quality of teaching doesn't quite meet expectations. That said, one genuine upside is the closer relationship you can build with professors, that personal access can really help you dive deeper into subjects you care about. Overall though, there is a noticeable gap in academic level between WU and UAM I can really recommend: Marketing analytics 19979 Economia Publica 16678

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Madrid is just great. Spanish people are incredibly open and welcoming, especially if you make the effort to speak even basic Spanish. That goes a long way. Worth noting: in Madrid particularly, not many people speak English, so learning at least some Spanish beforehand will really help you immerse yourself in the culture. The lifestyle is fantastic, tapas and cañas in authentic local restaurants, museums, and a rich cultural scene everywhere you look. For getting around, the monthly public transport pass is just €10, which is incredibly cheap and covers the whole city. I'd also recommend BiciMAD, Madrid's city bike app - having a bike makes the experience noticeably better and lets you explore the city on your own terms.

6. Testimonial

It was an amazing time overall, I met great people and genuinely grew as a person. I can only recommend doing an exchange semester to everyone. It's simply worth it.