Exchange Report

I started preparing for my exchange as soon as I received my acceptance from WU and Universidad Complutense de Madrid. I also started looking for accommodation immediately, which made it very easy to get a room in a student residence. Before arriving, I also applied for the Abono Joven transport card, which made using public transport in Madrid easy and affordable from the first day. For travelling, I took the train from Salzburg to Munich and then a direct flight to Madrid, as this was cheaper than flying from Vienna. One thing I would do differently is pack less clothes. I brought far too much, and in the end I only wore part of it. My advice is to start looking for accommodation early, apply for the Abono Joven before your arrival, and not to overpack.

I stayed at Bravo Students Madrid, a student residence. I started looking for accommodation early, so the application process was easy and I had no problems getting a room. I had to fill out a form, pay a reservation fee and transfer the deposit. The residence is located a little outside the city centre, but it is very safe. It took me about 30 minutes to get to the university, which was actually very convenient since the university campus is also located outside the city centre. Some other students needed almost an hour to get to class. The residence had a swimming pool, a gym, and half board, which made everyday life very comfortable. Since many students had dinner together every evening, it was very easy to meet new people and make friends. The only downside was that taking the bus home late at night could sometimes be a bit confusing at first

I was surprised that there was not much student life on campus. Compared to WU Vienna, there were no student stands or social events on campus, so it felt much quieter. The teaching style was also different. Some lecture slides contained mistakes and were less well prepared than I was used to at WU. Overall, I think WU offers a higher academic standard. However, the professors at Universidad Complutense were very friendly, approachable, and always willing to help students. They treated everyone with respect and made an effort to answer questions and support us whenever needed.

Everyday life in Madrid was very enjoyable. Public transport is excellent, and with the Abono Joven card it is very affordable to use the metro and buses. Compared to Austria, I noticed that there were many more homeless people sleeping on mattresses in the streets at night. As in every large city, there are some areas that are better avoided late at night. However, I always felt safe in Barrio Salamanca, where I spent a lot of time trying different bars, restaurants, and clubs with friends. Madrid offers many opportunities to meet people, and there is always something to do, whether it's going out, visiting parks, or attending events.

For me, my exchange semester was the best time of my life. I met amazing people from all over the world, and I felt that I could relate to many of them much more than to some people back home because we all shared the same excitement, curiosity, and openness. Living in such an international environment taught me so much about different cultures and made me more open-minded. It is an experience and a group of friends that I will always be grateful for.