Berkan in Spain

25.06.2025, Study Abroad:

Berkan spent a semester abroad at one of our two partner universities in Madrid. Find out more about the experiences he gained as an IMUK student.

Name: Berkan
Study Programme: IMUK
Semester: 8th Semester

Host Institution: Complutense University (UCM) (opens in a new window)
Location: Madrid, Spain
Period: January to May 2025

Funding

Erasmus+ (opens in a new window)

What was your main motivation to go abroad?

My main motivation was to step out of my comfort zone, make new friends in another country, and of course, gain new skills to enhance my career prospects. I had always wanted to live abroad, and a semester abroad during university is the perfect opportunity to do so. Combined with the Erasmus+ scholarship, the offer becomes even more attractive.

My semester abroad exceeded all of my expectations. I would do it all over again exactly the same way!
Berkan

What were your biggest concerns?

I had a lot of worries. Even during the flat search, I wasn’t sure if it would work out. When I started looking online, I came across many warnings about scams, which really unsettled me at first. But over time, that feeling eased once I got in touch with the landlord and sorted out all the contract details with the help of an agency. Looking back, I would definitely approach things differently. There are loads of Erasmus WhatsApp groups where many students look for new flatmates. That makes it much quicker and easier to find something. So don’t stress ‒ it’ll all work out!

Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?

Absolutely! No matter what kind of person you are ‒ a semester abroad is an experience you’ll never forget. You grow a lot through the experiences and learn a great deal about yourself. Ideally, your courses can be credited in such a way that you don’t need to extend your studies by another semester.

Fun Fact

Since going out in Madrid can be a bit pricey, it's almost a tradition among students to meet for pre-drinks at a “100 Montaditos” restaurant. They offer not only very cheap drinks but also affordable tapas and small bites to eat. You’ll find a “100 Montaditos” on nearly every corner. They can get quite crowded in the evenings ‒ so make sure to get there early!

What did you learn from your stay abroad?

For me, it was important to learn Spanish. When I arrived, I couldn’t speak a word. Now, things are going really well, and I’ll definitely continue learning once I’m back in Germany. On top of that, my social skills in an international environment have improved a lot. That’s thanks to Madrid’s diversity ‒ you meet people from all over the world here!

Were your expectations met?

I started my semester abroad without high expectations, because I believe that if you expect too much, you can end up being disappointed. That was definitely not the case in Madrid. My semester abroad exceeded all expectations. I would do it all over again exactly the same way!

**The Complutense University, where Berkan studied**

Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?

The ease of making new connections. Within just a few days, I was already in several different WhatsApp groups with thousands of students from various universities in Madrid. Thanks to Erasmus events ‒ as well as activities organised by groups like Citylife Madrid or Madrid Urban Vibes ‒ you quickly get to know lots of people. Whether it’s pub crawls through Madrid’s beautiful streets, padel tournaments, rooftop parties, relaxed hikes or museum tours ‒ there’s something exciting here for everyone.

More impressions and information about Berkan's experience abroad can be found on Instagram (opens in a new window).