Studying Abroad in Madrid: Megan’s Experience

Marketing and Consumer Psychology student Megan Poulter is a native of Derby who spent the Spring semester of her second year studying in Madrid at our partner institution, Universidad CEU San Pablo. After immersing herself in the Spanish culture and forging a new family of friends from around the world, she is now seriously considering working abroad on graduation.

We asked Megan about her experience, and the top tips she would give to students thinking about following the same route.

What advice would you give to students considering, or preparing to study abroad?

Make sure you are fully prepared before you go for your visa interview and don’t arrive just two days before the course starts! Give yourself plenty of time to get to know your way around.

How easy was it for you to find accommodation and what tips would you offer?

I would advise students to go through agents, especially those listed in City Life Madrid who have lots of places. Be ready to pay a month’s rent plus a month’s deposit. My landlady gave me an online tour of the flat and surrounding area and returned my deposit on leaving without quibble.

I paid about £550 a month for a room in a large flat in a central location on the edge of the area of Malasaña. It was fairly quiet, but not far from lots of bars and ten minutes’ walk from Gran Vía, the iconic main shopping street.

How were the modules you took and were they relevant and interesting?

Yes, I took a variety of different ones. I even had exams in a few of them for the first time at university, but they all went okay as the lecturers made what we had to do to prepare very clear. The work we did was very practical, making presentations and doing projects together rather than submitting just essays.

Lecturers were friendly and helpful, and some would even take us all to a bar for a drink after classes sometimes which was nice!

How did you get on with the Spanish language?

Though all classes and assessments are in English, I had already done quite a bit of Duolingo, but in the San Pablo classes we learned a lot more about how and when to use the language learned. You do need a bit more than just holiday Spanish to get around in Madrid but remember, you don’t need to be perfect, so don’t be scared to speak a little bit of “Spanglish”. I was surprised how much I had learned by the end of my stay. Spanish people are always ready to help you find the right word!

Was life expensive in Madrid?

The rent charged was comparable to Derby and usually I only spent about 20 euros (about £17) a week on groceries. Travel was cheap at either £8 for 10 journeys or a monthly pass for about £7 for all buses and metro journeys!  Eating out in restaurants and clubbing are a bit more pricey, but bars are very affordable.

How did you cope with homesickness?

I facetimed my relatives back in Derby every day, so I was always up to date. But I also managed to surround myself with a new family in Madrid made up of some of the people I met not just from Spain but from Italy, Holland and Germany.