Details

• Spain
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Start preparing earlier than you would expect. Once I got my acceptance from Comillas, I sorted out the Learning Agreement and enrolment first, since Spanish administration takes some patience. EU students don't need a visa, also the NIE is not necessary if you don't want to work in Madrid. For accommodation, start looking early but avoid signing anything before seeing the room via video tour(or having someone check it in person), as online scams are common. I lived in Malasana which I loved and is a trendy part of Madrid (similar to 1070 in VIE) For travel, I flew into Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is well connected to the city centre by metro. I would recommend booking flights early for better prices.

2. Accommodation

I found my flat via Idealista a month in advance. ask for a video call or viewing before paying any deposit, since scams targeting international students are common. I lived in a 9 persons flat and I loved it - huge shared spaces are common in Madrid and nice because you get to know people easily. I lived in the district of Malasana which felt safe and was well connected to the university by a 10 minute walk. Madrid generally feels very safe, even at night, though as in any big city you should especially watch out for pickpockets on public transport and in tourist areas. there are a lot of agencys for renting flats but be cautious because they charge fees and provisions for lots of little things. i found my flat on idealista but there are many other websites as well

3. Academic life at host university

Comillas is a private university, and the campus reflects that with small classrooms and helpful international office staff. Everything felt quite well-organised and on a smaller, more personal scale than what I was used to at WU Vienna. The academic culture is a little different from WU. Classes are small, attendance is usually mandatory and there is a stronger personal relationship between students and professors - they get to know everybody's names. Participation matters as well and lots of courses are only for internationals (the english ones). Teaching style compared to WU Vienna Compared to WU, the teaching relies much more on continuous assessment – regular assignments, group work, presentations and midterms rather than one big final exam deciding your grade. This means a steadier workload throughout the semester, but less pressure at the very end. Course recommendations I took the following courses: Environmental Law - highly recommend European Law - very nice prof International Criminal Law - more work, could be more interesting International Public Law - very engaging prof Regional Studies - nice prof, not too strict Spanish (no ECTS)

5. Every day life in the host country

Madrid has an excellent public transport network. The metro is fast, clean, and reaches almost everywhere, complemented by buses and trains. If you're under 26, get the travel pass. it costs only around 10 EUR per month and covers the entire region, including trips to nearby cities. Madrid felt very safe, even walking home late at night. The main thing to watch out for is pickpocketing on busy metro lines and in tourist areas like Sol and Gran Vía. This I really would take seriously - I know too many people (including myself) who got their phones and wallets stolen - especially at clubs/bars. Maybe get your phone insured beforehand. There's always something to do. The city is full of parks (Retiro is a favourite), museums, cafés, and terraces, and the nightlife is famously lively and starts late. ESN and other student organisations arrange regular meetups, trips, and parties, which make it easy to meet other exchange students. Also keep an eye out for all the whatsapp groups. Madrid has a packed events calendar with street festivals, concerts, football matches throughout the year. Keep an eye out for local fiestas like San Isidro in May, which are a great way to experience the culture. The university offers various sports and clubs and the city itself has plenty of gyms, running routes, and open spaces. Catching a Real Madrid or Atlético match live is also well worth it if you're a football fan. Also Class pass can be a fun idea.

6. Testimonial

My semester in Madrid was one of the best experiences ever - I loved the lively city, the chill and fun lifestyle and the friends I made from all over the world. What made it special was the mix of a more personal, hands-on academic environment at Comillas and the vibrant everyday life outside of class. I came back with unforgettable memories, new friendships and a real love for the city.