Erasmus+ in Madrid: Salomé Arede's life-changing experience

With a strong connection to Spanish culture, Salomé Arede had no doubts about the international experience. 'When the opportunity to do Erasmus+ came up, Madrid was the only city I thought of,' says the 2nd year student of the Bachelor's Degree in Social and Cultural Communication at the Universidade Católica.

Despite the initial adjustment, Salomé now recognises the importance of having ventured out of her comfort zone, into a new city and with five people from different countries. 'It was an essential phase for my personal growth, realising that I am capable of doing well on my own, even far from what I was familiar with,' she confesses.

"Living with people from such different cultures was both a challenge and a great support during these five months. Our routines, habits and perspectives were often different, which was not always easy, but that is exactly what made me grow."

The friendships she built up were so strong that one of her favourite moments was actually celebrating her 20th birthday in Madrid, “accompanied by everyone at home,” she recalls.

Back home, the feeling is bittersweet. ‘Leaving Madrid knowing that the next time I'm going to see these people will be in different countries, in a completely different context, has made the farewell more intense.’

Besides the cultural challenge and exposure, the Universidad Ceu San Pablo, "the university that welcomed me, also had an important impact. I was fascinated by the fact that I had access to a very practical aspect, projects, debates and lectures that allowed me to see everything in a way that was closer to my interests."

Challenging and transformative, living in the Spanish capital gave her the freedom to complement her academic career with subjects from different areas and taught her to find support in herself.

Throughout this process, Católica was an essential element, she guarantees. "The application process was very clear and I always felt the support of the Universidade Católica. It was this support that made everything run smoothly and I always felt confident about my choice."

‘Of course there were times when I missed home, family and friends, which is natural when you're far away.’ But Católica was always there.

She returns with two certainties: ‘Madrid is a city that has a lot to offer and that will have a special meaning for me,’ and "if anyone is thinking of doing Erasmus, I advise you to go ahead, even though you know it will not be all be easy. You will come back different and that experience will make it all worthwhile."