Studying abroad in Madrid has always been a dream of mine, primarily because I’m drawn to the language, culture, and nearby travel opportunities that accompany life in Spain. But the “study” portion of studying abroad should not be overlooked.  

I am currently attending the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), a prestigious international institution boasting over 24,000 students. On my third day of classes here at UC3M, I decided to document my experience to show prospective study abroad students what they can look forward to with this program! 

Good morning from my roommate Emily on the Metro! It’s 9:30 a.m. and I have a long school day ahead of me. 

After the Metro we take a bus, which drops us off right at school. Public transportation is super accessible in Madrid, so we always use the bus, suburban rail, and train! 

UC3M has two campuses: Getafe and Leganés. My commute to the Getafe campus at UC3M takes about one hour each way. Public transportation is extremely accessible and convenient in Madrid, which has absolutely facilitated my transition into the Spanish lifestyle! There are a few routes that I can choose from when commuting to school, but they typically include some mixture of Metro, suburban rail, and bus rides. CEA CAPA provided us all with discounted Metro cards that can be renewed monthly, which has been greatly helpful as I ventured through Madrid. 

I made it to campus with some of my roommates! There are 10 of us in all, which means life in our apartment is always entertaining. 

Heading to my first class of the day at 10:45 a.m.: Structure of the Media System. The Getafe campus has some pretty walkways, such as the one pictured here. 

Once on campus, it’s easy to find your class buildings and make friends through your courses. Many students are native Spanish speakers, and this provides a fantastic opportunity for international students such as myself to improve their fluency and get to know individuals of diverse backgrounds. My advice? Don’t let your nerves get in the way of chatting with the person next to you—your classmates are friendlier than you’d think! 

Time for my second class at 12:30 p.m.: Gender Perspectives in Contemporary European and Spanish Language. Here’s my friend flashing a thumbs-up! 

Eating lunch and reading in front of the cafeteria! Lots of students sit outside during their breaks, especially on sunny days like today. 

Pretty views on the Getafe campus at UC3M. 

The Getafe campus at UC3M includes a cafeteria, library, and sports center, which I’ll continue to explore as the weeks go by. I’ve enjoyed getting to know this area and feeling more settled in my courses so far. Everything may have seemed foreign and confusing at first, but I’ve been steadily adjusting to my new routine and environment.  

Time for my third and final class of the day at 4:15 p.m., Film Narrative! It’s my first time taking this class, so I’m excited to see what it’s about. 

Film Narrative is a three-hour class that meets once a week, which is common here at UC3M. We get a 15-minute break in the middle of class, so here I am on break!  

Finally done for the day at 7:30 p.m.! Walked out to a pretty sunset, and now it’s time to take public transportation back to my apartment. 

Spending time alone has also been an important part of my adaptation process. Remember that there’s no “right” way to study abroad — this experience is whatever you make it out to be! Be flexible, talk to the people around you, and enjoy each fresh perspective and engaging course. I’ve already learned so much in my first week at UC3M in Madrid, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store!