Katelyn, a 24-year-old student from Orlando, Florida, shares her experience of living and studying in Madrid as an American student. After spending just three months in the Spanish capital, she considers it one of the best choices she’s ever made. Five years ago, Katelyn visited Madrid on a backpacking trip, and the city’s energy left a lasting impression. Now, she’s back—this time for the long term.
Why She Chose Madrid
Katelyn’s first encounter with Madrid was during a backpacking trip with her best friend. The city’s unique atmosphere stayed with her, inspiring her to return. She describes Madrid as a place with an indescribable energy that has to be experienced to be understood.
- Vibrant Atmosphere: Madrid’s streets are alive with people, activity, and culture.
- Perfect Weather: “It’s always sunny here,” Katelyn says, adding to the city’s charm.
- Endless Things to Do: From rich cultural experiences to a buzzing nightlife, Madrid offers something for everyone.
Madrid’s popularity among expats and students is well-documented. A report from InterNations ranks Spain as one of the top destinations for expats, highlighting Madrid’s friendly environment, vibrant social life, and strong cultural identity. You can explore their findings here.
The People and the Culture
One of the things Katelyn appreciates most about Madrid is its people. Whether she’s exploring a local market or enjoying a meal at a neighborhood café, she finds that everyone is welcoming and friendly.
- Cultural Richness: Madrid is a melting pot of traditions, arts, and history, making it an exciting place to live.
- Welcoming Community: From the moment she arrived, Katelyn felt embraced by the local community and her peers at BLC Spain.
Forbes recently highlighted Madrid as one of the best cities for expats, emphasizing its combination of affordability, rich culture, and high quality of life. You can check out the article here.
Transitioning to Life in Madrid with BLC Spain’s Support
Moving abroad is a significant transition, but at BLC Spain we help on making the move seamless. Our business school provides support every step of the way, particularly when it cames to handling the necessary paperwork and legal documents.
- Paperwork Assistance: At BLC Spain we ensure our students have all the documents they need to secure visas and transition smoothly to life in Spain.
- Friendly and Supportive Staff: “The front desk staff is always in a great mood and ready to help,” says Katelyn.
- A Welcoming Environment: The school’s community, including a friendly dog at the front desk, makes every student feel right at home.
Transitioning to life abroad can be complex, but at BLC Spain we have a comprehensive student support team that make it significantly easier. If you’re curious about how we help with visas and settling in, check out the details on our Student Support page.
Building Lifelong Friendships and Connections
One of the standout aspects of Katelyn’s experience at BLC Spain has been the relationships she’s built—not just with fellow students, but also with her teachers.
- Meaningful Connections: Katelyn has forged strong relationships with her teachers, noting that it feels like more than just a student-teacher bond.
- Lifelong Friendships: The friendships she’s formed with her classmates will last well beyond the classroom.
Rapid Improvement in Spanish Skills
When Katelyn first arrived in Madrid, she struggled to understand Spanish. However, with BLC Spain’s immersive program, her language skills improved rapidly.
- Language Immersion: Living in a Spanish-speaking environment, paired with structured classes, helped Katelyn become conversationally fluent within a few months.
- Real-Life Application: “I went from understanding almost nothing to having no trouble with conversations,” she explains.
Building a Future Living and Studying in Madrid as an American Student
Katelyn doesn’t see her time in Madrid as temporary. After falling in love with the city and building meaningful relationships, she plans to establish her career and future here.
- Long-Term Goals: Katelyn is committed to building her career in Spain and continuing to create unforgettable experiences.
- A New Home: “I can’t imagine going back to the U.S. except to visit,” she says.
Spain is not just a destination for short-term study—it’s a place where many expats choose to build a new life. The growing number of international professionals in Spain is proof of the country’s appeal, with more and more people seeing it as a place to start both careers and families.
Thinking of making the move? Whether you’re looking to improve your Spanish, earn a business degree, or start a new career path, BLC Spain offers a variety of programs designed to help international students thrive in Madrid. From our 4-year Undergraduate Degree in International Business and Spanish to our 1-year Master’s in Digital Marketing with AI, we provide immersive learning experiences that combine language proficiency with career-ready skills.
Ready to embark on your own life-changing journey? Learn more about our courses and how we can support your future in Spain.
