In Spain, there’s a famous saying, ‘De Madrid al cielo’, which translates to ‘From Madrid to the heavens’. After spending just a month here, I can’t think of a better phrase to sum up my experience. The city is alive with energy, and its rhythm is contagious. I was right in thinking Madrid has a completely different vibe compared to Barcelona. While it lacks the sea, it more than makes up for it with its constant buzz. There’s always something going on here, whether you’re looking for it or not.
I suppose this is not entirely shocking for a European capital. But on the other hand, I do feel that Madrid is highly underrated. While many venture to Barcelona for a city break, Madrid does not seem to get the air time it deserves in the UK. After Christmas, I had to fly from Manchester (a 2.5-hour journey from home) because none of my three closest airports had direct flights to Madrid at that time. What’s going on here? What are they hiding in Madrid that they don’t want us to discover? Well, that's exactly what I'm here to explore.
Making the most of Madrid has only been possible because I finally got my visa. The best general advice I can give is to book your appointment as early as possible, but also make sure you're fully prepared beforehand: everything double-checked, photocopied, or even bringing extra documents just in case. That being said, don’t stress if your visa gets rejected. You wouldn’t be the first and you won’t be the last. Most importantly, don’t forget that they will keep your passport. This usually catches a lot of people out in the summer!
I’m lucky enough to be living in a flat in Malasaña, a vibrant neighbourhood full of local bars, coffee shops, vintage stores, and quirky boutiques. When it comes to finding a flat, Facebook groups are a good starting point, but stick to common sense: never hand over money unless you’re absolutely sure and use trusted websites, like Idealista. Also, talk to people who have been on their year abroad to your destination before, get their recommendations, and always check the safety of the neighbourhood before you commit.
“I quickly learned that speaking Spanish constantly after work can be more exhausting than you’d think”
That’s the flat, now let’s talk flatmates. If you have the option, choosing flatmates carefully is key. In Barcelona, I lived with three Ibizans who were all relatives. It felt like something straight out of a sitcom, and while it certainly helped me improve my Spanish, I quickly learned that speaking Spanish constantly after work can be more exhausting than you’d think. I know, this might sound odd coming from a languages student living in Spain, but on your year abroad, you’ll appreciate the moments when you can switch off and speak in your native language. It’s totally okay to hang out with other Cambridge students or even make British friends. You’ll still be speaking the target language all the time, and you might even end up in funny situations where you’re speaking in your target language to fellow English speakers.
This time, my flatmate is from New York. I’ve probably learned as much about American culture in the past month as I have about Spanish culture. My flatmate now has a list of British phrases that I introduced him to after forcing him to watch Catherine Tate and The Inbetweeners over dinner. If you can’t choose your flatmate, don’t stress too much – it’s not the end of the world. But I can confirm that reaching out and getting to know the person beforehand can make the transition much smoother.
Looking at the general vibe of my year abroad so far, the second half is proving to be more enjoyable and relaxing because I’ve already adjusted to my new environment. Settling into Madrid felt more exciting than daunting. I was curious to see what would be different rather than worrying about the challenges.
There’s a lot of debate around whether it’s better to move between cities, countries, or stay in one place for your year abroad. Personally, I’ve loved the experience of moving between two cities. Staying within Spain has allowed me to immerse myself in the language, while still getting to experience both work and study in different settings. Similarly, whether you’re working, studying, or teaching, there’s no right answer. I’ve found teaching to be a rewarding way to adjust to the professional rhythm of life, but I’ve also enjoyed the freedom of being a student again. There’s something nice about being the one being educated at 9am on a Monday morning instead of being the educator. Being a student here has obviously given me a more flexible and relaxed way to experience Spain.
“Brexit may have killed Erasmus for UK students, but the spirit of it is still very much alive”
The university here is fantastic. The professors are incredibly supportive, especially for international students, but they don’t slow down their Spanish for anyone. It’s like survival of the fittest, and, honestly, that’s been the best way to improve my oral comprehension so far. University here has also given me the chance to meet international students from all over the world. Brexit may have killed Erasmus for UK students, but the spirit of it is still very much alive.
I think it’s safe to say that the university workload abroad will never compare to Cambridge. But one piece of advice I’d offer is to find a balance between something you enjoy and something useful, if you are choosing to study. Right now, I’m taking two papers that align with what I’ll be studying in my final year, along with one for pure enjoyment, something I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t have the chance to take at Cambridge. This way, I’m staying prepared while also not burning myself out on the year abroad.
Now, I know mentioning the Year Abroad Project might be enough to trigger a few current year-abroad students, but I have to share a piece of advice I’ve found valuable: make the most of your year abroad by immersing yourself in the texts and films you’re studying. In my case, the ones I’m studying are conveniently set in Madrid. There's something uniquely satisfying about watching those films and recognising the places they’re set in. Whether it’s seeing the posters in local bars or enjoying a drink at the same spots where directors and actors have hung out, it really adds an extra layer to the whole experience.
Madrid so far has been everything I hoped for and more. In the first month, there have been highlights (the food, the weather, the people, a slower life) and lowlights (being quickly humbled by Madrid Spanish, FOMO from Lent term in Cambridge, and deathly hangovers). While the prospect of moving back to Cambridge for fourth year does not scare me at all, living a laid-back life here while enjoying the fast pace of the city hardly seems like the worst way to spend the next few months before I have to lock in again.
Feel free to reach out to Paddy (pd532) with any questions about the year abroad experience!
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