To fufill MLO 5, I decided to study abroad. I chose Madrid out of the possible places because I wanted to immerse myself in a completely different culture and country.
Mi piso en Madrid/ My apartment in Madrid
Image Credit: Google
For the first two weeks in the program, we were placed in a dormitory. Since the beginning of the term for the Spaniards started in early October, there weren't that many people in the dormitory. Before the two weeks ended, we needed to find a piso or apartment near our university. Typical apartments that Erasmus or study abroad students lived in housed on average 7 to 9 students.
Mi universidad en Madrid/ My host university in Spain
Image Credit: Google
Universidad Complutenese is situated in this little section called Ciudad Universitaria. In Ciudad Universitaria, there are different departments from 6 different universities, thus earning the name Ciudad Universitaria. The school is broken up into different faculty, or different schools/departments. Our classes were strictly in the Facultad de Filología, or in English known as School of Philology.
You could get to school by taking the Metro and getting off at the Ciudad Universitaria stop or taking various busses.
You could get to school by taking the Metro and getting off at the Ciudad Universitaria stop or taking various busses.
Transportation
For getting around the city, everyone either used the bus system or the Metro. Since we were students, we all qualified for the student price of the carnet or pass. We payed 35 euros a month for unlimited rides on the Metro and Bus. The Metro even went to the airport, so it was easier to travel that way.
Visiting different parts of the city
In Madrid, there is so many things to do on the weekend or any day in general. If one is looking for a day to spend with friends, one of the most popular places that honorary Madrileños go to is Parque de Retiro, where you can go see the Crystal Palace, the monument dedicated to Alfonso the Twelfth, and a statue dedicated to Lucifer.
Another place that one can go to for amusement is the triangle of museums: El Museo Del Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen. Students get in for free and it is a great way to spend the day looking at the world's best art in three convenient places.
if you want to get the feel for a big city, head over to Puerta Del sol. This plaza is where the heart and soul of Madrid lives. It is also home to KM 0, the birthplace of all the highways of the.city and of the country. At night, the neon build boards light up and Puerta del Sol magically transforms into the night life entertainment that Madrid is famous for.
If you want a quieter space to pass the time, Plaza mayor is only a few minutes walk from Sol. Plaza Mayor has some great restaurants, and if you want to catch a great flamenco show, there are little underground cavern-restaurants that keep the experience intimate and very authentic to the flamenco danced in Seville. After the flamenco show, make sure to make your way to the Mercado de San Miguel. This market has a large variety of tapas stands where you can go from station to station and buy whatever you find most appetizing. It also has pastries that are exceptionally exquisite
.
There is this and so much more to explore in Madrid but I won't spoil everything. Madrid is an unique city that everyone should visit because it is an amazing city
Another place that one can go to for amusement is the triangle of museums: El Museo Del Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen. Students get in for free and it is a great way to spend the day looking at the world's best art in three convenient places.
if you want to get the feel for a big city, head over to Puerta Del sol. This plaza is where the heart and soul of Madrid lives. It is also home to KM 0, the birthplace of all the highways of the.city and of the country. At night, the neon build boards light up and Puerta del Sol magically transforms into the night life entertainment that Madrid is famous for.
If you want a quieter space to pass the time, Plaza mayor is only a few minutes walk from Sol. Plaza Mayor has some great restaurants, and if you want to catch a great flamenco show, there are little underground cavern-restaurants that keep the experience intimate and very authentic to the flamenco danced in Seville. After the flamenco show, make sure to make your way to the Mercado de San Miguel. This market has a large variety of tapas stands where you can go from station to station and buy whatever you find most appetizing. It also has pastries that are exceptionally exquisite
.
There is this and so much more to explore in Madrid but I won't spoil everything. Madrid is an unique city that everyone should visit because it is an amazing city
Photos of Madrid
All Images were taken by Rosa Chiguila unless otherwise noted