Before I came to Madrid, I had many conversations with friends who had previously studied abroad. Everyone gave me useful tips and shared their personal journeys with me. The more people I talked to, the more I realized that each person has a unique experience. No two study abroad experiences are the same. Keeping that in mind, I came to Madrid with an open mind and only a slight idea of what to expect.
It has now been two weeks since I have been in Madrid. In this time, I have already settled into my apartment, started school, and met some incredible people! When you study abroad, you have a variety of living options. The three most common options are; to live with a host family, to live in a university dormitory or to live with other students studying abroad. There are pros and cons of living in each environment.
When you live with a host family, you can fully integrate into a Spanish family and get a truly authentic and immersive experience. Many students opt to live with a host family and love it. However, there are also at times, personal limitations and it is imperative for you to respect the rules of each household.
There are universities that offer student housing to exchange students, and you can live in a vibrant student community!
