51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Max Moors 

Bachelor of Advanced Computing 

2024 Semester 2, Exchange at IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Madrid 

When I first started looking at exchange options on the ANU Global Programs website, IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in Madrid wasn’t at the top of my list. Like many of you, I was weighing up several destinations, with no real sense as to what each place was like. I was initially drawn to places like Copenhagen, based on recommendations from friends and family. But as it turns out, not getting my first choice was one of the best things that could have happened to me. My experience in Madrid has been nothing short of incredible, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering exchange.  

The International Melting Pot  

The most striking aspect of IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is its diverse student body. Being an international university, with around 500 exchange students here at the moment and around 90% of the student population coming from outside of Spain, it's a global melting pot. In a single class, you'll find yourself surrounded by peers from every continent, each with an entirely different life experience to ours back in Australia. This diversity creates a really unique social atmosphere. Unlike many universities, where students can often stick to cliques formed from shared backgrounds or high schools, everyone at IE is much more open to meet new people and learn about different cultures, making it incredibly easy to form friendships.  Not to mention, Madrid itself, is such an international city. Before you even start at IE university, I would recommend joining the CityLife WhatsApp group chats. It's completely free, and an organisation to bring students in Madrid together from all different universities. They organise events like sports clubs, pub crawls and are always available to take any questions you may have.  

Interactive Learning: Not what we’re used to  

The university's teaching style is going to be one of the biggest shocks. Unlike the ANU lecture-tutorial model, IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø employs an entirely face-to-face learning approach with small, interactive classes of around 30 students. There are no lectures, these classes with the professors are the lecture equivalents. There’s a mandatory 80% attendance policy, which, while it might sound strict, has been a blessing in disguise. Because all students are required to attend in person (yes, they take a roll call at the start of every class and you WILL get marked absent if you are late), it means that you're interacting with the same group of people throughout the entirety of the semester. After the first few weeks, everybody in the classes become quite familiar with one another, and most courses place a strong emphasis on group assignments. You will get to know your peers very well.  It's common for classmates to continue discussions over lunch in the food court or grab coffee together in between classes. This constant interaction has made it incredibly easy to form friendships quite quickly.  

English-Taught Classes: No Language Barrier  

One concern many students have about studying in a non-English speaking country is the potential language barrier. But fear not! All classes at IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø are taught in English, making it really accessible for international students. I arrived with a mere 70 days of Duolingo Spanish under my belt, and it hasn't been a problem at all in Madrid.  However, being in Spain offers an incredible opportunity to learn and practice your Spanish. The university offers language courses, and living in Madrid provides endless chances to immerse yourself. It's been an amazing experience to start learning a new language while pursuing my studies.  

Vibrant Student Life and Travel  

The social scene at IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø extends well beyond the classroom. The university boasts an impressive array of student clubs and organisations catering to every interest imaginable. From the filmmaking club to the golf club to the Bitcoin club there's something for everyone. While the university life is exciting, it's important to note that IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø doesn't have a mid-semester break like ANU does. If you're planning on doing a mini holiday around Europe during your exchange, you might want to schedule it before or after the semester. The 80% attendance policy means that if you have classes on a Friday, you'll need to attend most of them, so weekend trips need to be short and sweet. But, there is so much that Spain has to offer, that you won’t want to leave, and you can always hop over to Portugal or France for quick getaways. One of my top weekend trips was to Granada in Andalucia. It's been one of my favourite places in the entire world and a must-visit for anyone coming to Spain.  

Madrid: The city that never sleeps… quite literally  

The city of Madrid itself adds another layer to the social experience. As a night owl, I've fallen in love with the city's late-night culture. It's not uncommon to see families dining out at midnight on a random Tuesday or groups of friends heading to clubs at 1 am on a Wednesday. If you are a morning person, be prepared to shift your schedule back!  

Final Thoughts  

My exchange to IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in Madrid has become one of the best experiences of my life. The university's diverse student body, interactive learning style, and vibrant social scene have created an environment where it's almost impossible not to make friends and have an enriching exchange experience. If you're considering exchange options and want a truly international experience, put IE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø on your list and you'll leave with a global network of friends, some crazy stories and hopefully even a bit of Spanish!