Details

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

1. Preparation

Madrid is very easily accessible by plane. Regarding the arrival date, it’s not mandatory to attend the Welcome Day. Of course, it can be helpful for meeting new people and making some first connections, but it was only an event of approximately two hours. So, don’t feel dependent on that specific date — you’ll meet plenty of new people during your courses as well. Since Madrid is a European city, I personally didn’t have to prepare too much beforehand, as no visa or special health insurance was required.

2. Accommodation

I found my accommodation through MadridEasy, as Comillas offers a discount on the additional agency fees. Since all apartments listed on MadridEasy are managed by the same agency, the risk of being scammed is relatively low, which made the process feel much more reliable. I lived in a shared apartment in the northern part of Chamberí, near Ríos Rosas, and I would definitely recommend the Chamberí area in general. It’s close to the city centre, very well connected by public transport, and at the same time much less touristy and crowded. Especially after spring begins, the city centre can become extremely busy, so if you don’t enjoy large crowds, I wouldn’t recommend living there. Chamberí is also considered a very safe and pleasant part of the city, with many residential buildings, cafés, and local shops. Depending on where exactly you live in the area, it usually takes around 5–20 minutes to get to Comillas.

3. Academic life at host university

ICADE (the Economics and Law campus) is located directly in the city centre, which is a major advantage. The location is excellent, as it is within walking distance of many cafés that are perfect for studying, as well as several metro stations. However, because of its central location, the university mainly consists of one large building, so there is not much of a traditional campus atmosphere or student campus life. From my experience, Comillas feels more like a school in terms of its structure and environment, both from the outside and inside. The classes are relatively small, ranging from around 15 to 40 students. This creates a more personal learning environment and allows for closer interaction with the lecturers, which I really appreciated. Group work is very common, and most courses include a presentation at the end of the semester. Overall, the organisation at Comillas is absolutely fine, but it is important to keep in mind that people in Spain generally tend to be a bit more relaxed when it comes to planning and deadlines — especially regarding exam schedules. For example, we only received the final exam dates about one month before the exam period started, which made planning my return trip to Vienna a bit difficult. If you need to return to Vienna early, you can choose the so-called “Business in Spain” courses. These courses are designed specifically for exchange students, and the exams usually take place before the official end of the semester (for the summer semester, typically before the end of April). However, one downside is that these classes mainly consist of exchange students, so you will not have much contact with Spanish students there. If you are not in a rush to return home, I would recommend taking regular Comillas courses together with local students. It gives you a much more authentic university experience and allows you to integrate better into student life in Madrid. Course recommendations Business Internationalization: This course is somewhat similar to Global Business at WU, but with a different teaching approach focused heavily on case studies. It offers a more practical and in-depth perspective on international business topics. Consolidation of Financial Statements: A great choice for students interested in accounting. Compared to many other courses at Comillas, it is slightly more challenging, but also very interesting and rewarding.

5. Every day life in the host country

Madrid has an excellent public transport system and getting around the city is very easy. Before your arrival, I would highly recommend applying for the “Madrid Joven” transport card. You can organise it in advance through Citylife Madrid and simply pick it up once you arrive in Madrid. With this card, people under the age of 26 only pay around 10 euros per month for unlimited public transport across the entire Community of Madrid, which is an amazing deal. Safety Compared to many other large Spanish cities, Madrid feels very safe overall. I personally never felt uncomfortable, even when moving around the city at night. However, as in most major cities, pickpocketing can be an issue, especially in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, so it’s important to stay aware of your belongings. Leisure and lifestyle Madrid is a very active and lively city with plenty of opportunities for sports and outdoor activities. Many students enjoy running, swimming, or playing padel, which is extremely popular in Spain. The city is also perfect for spending time in cafés, meeting friends in parks, or simply enjoying the atmosphere outdoors. If you are interested in arts and culture, Madrid is an especially great place to live. The city offers a huge variety of museums and cultural activities, and many museums are free or discounted for students. Events and nightlife Madrid has a very vibrant social and nightlife scene. There are constantly events, parties, and activities happening throughout the city, and most students find out about them through different WhatsApp groups. I would definitely recommend checking out Citylife Madrid, as they organise many events for international students and provide access to numerous WhatsApp groups where you can easily connect with other people.

6. Testimonial

My exchange in Madrid was a really enjoyable and valuable experience. I got to meet many international people, experience everyday life in Spain, and spend a semester in a very lively city. What made the exchange special for me was the balance between university, social life, and the overall atmosphere of Madrid.