Details

• Spain
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The university process was very well organized and went smoothly. Course registration takes place on a specific day in advance, but changing courses afterwards is absolutely no problem. Make sure to register for enough courses to obtain the required number of ECTS credits to receive the Erasmus grant (note that the Spanish language course does not award any credits). If you are going on exchange in the summer semester, keep in mind that the semester already starts in January.

2. Accommodation

I strongly recommend looking for an apartment at least 4–5 months in advance, as the housing situation in Madrid is quite tough. I would definitely suggest searching for a flat together with other (exchange) students, as this is one of the best ways to connect with people. In Madrid it is completely normal to live in a shared apartment with more than five people. I personally lived with seven other exchange students, and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. You should not expect to live with locals – they usually have their own lives and do not really live the typical “Erasmus life” in Madrid. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of ways to meet locals 😉 I searched for an apartment on the platform “Idealista”, but eventually found my room through a friend. I lived in the very center of Madrid, close to Plaza Mayor. I loved the location, although it is of course quite touristy. Other neighbourhoods I would recommend are Malasaña (a very cool area with many young people, bars and shops), Chamberí (where the university is located, with a more local vibe and many students), and Salamanca (more expensive, but beautiful and safe).

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of Universidad Pontificia Comillas is very beautiful and has a nice outdoor area where you can study or have lunch. There is also a library, but I personally preferred studying at home, so I did not really use it. For lunch or snacks there is a mensa on campus where you can get quite cheap food and coffee. You can also find many cafés and restaurants around the university. Compared to WU, attendance is not as strict, although this also depends on the lecturer. Most courses have a midterm and a final exam, and in some classes there are also homework assignments or group projects. Overall, I found the courses to be a bit easier than those at WU.

5. Every day life in the host country

I can assure you that there is so much to do in Madrid that even after the semester you will feel like you have not seen everything. The range of events and parties is huge, no matter what kind of music you like. There are many outdoor and indoor events, and Spanish people love to celebrate, so there is almost always something going on. If you are a food lover, Madrid is the perfect place for you – the city offers many affordable restaurants and bars. I always felt very safe in Madrid, both during the day and at night, even when walking home alone late in the evening. Public transport is excellent. As a student you can apply for a public transport card for about €5 and then top it up with around €10 per month, which allows you to use all means of public transport.

6. Testimonial

It is hard to put into words how amazing this experience was. It was definitely one of the best times of my life. I not only learned a lot about myself, but also improved my English and Spanish, made great friends from all over the world, travelled a lot, and got to know Madrid from a more local perspective. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to go on exchange.