Gap Year Program

My name is Joana Estarellas, and I lived and studied my whole life in the Dominican Republic before deciding to move to Madrid to study Business Administration at the University of Carlos III.

I have now finished my second year living in Madrid and my first year of university, and I can honestly say that it has been one of the best experiences of my life. Moving to a new country was a big change, but it gave me the opportunity to grow, become more independent, and experience life in such an international city. I have met incredible people from all over the world, explored many places across Spain and Europe, and created memories that I will never forget.

One of the things I have enjoyed most is studying at UC3M. The university has a very international environment, so you are constantly meeting people from different countries and backgrounds, which makes the experience even more enriching. The campus is always full of life, with guest speakers, sports competitions, concerts, clubs, and student activities happening throughout the year. I also appreciate how approachable the professors are and how the university encourages students to participate both inside and outside the classroom, making it easy to feel involved and part of the community.

Although balancing university, social life, and living away from home can be challenging at times, every experience has been worth it. Looking back, choosing to study in Madrid was one of the best decisions I have made, and it has given me friendships, opportunities, and experiences that I will always be grateful for.

Madrid is an incredible city for students. Its a great destination for people who want to make friends from all over the world, eat amazing food and try new activities. The university life is filled with parties and clubs and sports, so studying is not the only thing you will be doing. Of course going out at night is not the only option. There are lots of parks and museums to visit. The shopping scene is great as well. And there are always cute coffee shops you can go to get refreshed. Getting lost in the endless streets and corridors of Madrid is easily one of the most fun plan ti do on a weekend.

My name is Cristóbal. I am from Chile, and I am currently in my second year studying Law at UC3M. I first came to Madrid as an IFP student. That experience laid the groundwork for everything that followed.

I chose the International Foundation Program at UC3M for two main reasons. It gave me a real university experience before I jumped into my degree, and it was one of the clearest paths for an international student wanting to study in Spain. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've made.

Studying and living in Madrid exceeded my expectations. The city has an incredible energy; there's always something to do, somewhere to go, and the people are warm and welcoming. What I enjoyed most about Spain goes beyond just Madrid. The food is outstanding, the culture around celebrations and social life is lively, and Spain’s location makes it an excellent base for traveling around Europe whenever possible.

As for the university, the faculty at UC3M impressed me from day one. The professors were more than just teachers; they were passionate about their subjects, which made a real difference in how I engaged with the material. Academically, the IFP gave me a head start. Completing certain modules meant I could waive some first-year subjects, making the transition into my degree much smoother.

Campus life may not be the university's biggest draw, but there are still some notable things. There is a decent range of student associations, and events like the Intercampus Race, a fun competition that brings students together, provide a good taste of university spirit, and are a great way to meet people outside your usual circle.

On the social side, I formed friendships during the IFP that have truly lasted. I would definitely recommend this program to any international student considering Spain. Madrid is a fantastic university city; the academic standards are high, and the experience you gain, both personally and academically, is well worth it.

Translated by Go Overseas:
During this GAP YEAR at the Carlos III University of Madrid, I liked everything we did, I like how this program wasorganized, Cecilia has accompanied me a lot with all the questions at the university and abroad. In the first quarter, I got to know the university, where the buildings and classrooms are. I also started studying Spanish at this university. In the second quarter, I began to study some subjects to integrate with the environment, the university and prepare for the next course. I went to Cordoba and Salamanca with the university and made many memories of these trips. At the International School I helped with all the documents so thanks to everyone for this GAP YEAR. This program helped me a lot. Everyone helped me from my tutor to the director. I have also learned a lot about Spanish culture. I have a trip within the program to the Camino De Santiago, to take advantage of one of the most important cultural trips in Spain. As a conclusion, I recommend this program to prepare for university and get to know Spain.

Original version:
De este GAP YEAR en Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, a mi me gusta todo lo que hacemos, me gusta como se ha organizado este programa, Cecilia me ha acompañado mucho de todos preguntas en universidad y fuera. En el primer cuatrimestre yo aprendi a moverme por la universidad, donde están los edificios y las aulas. También yo comencé a estudiar español en esta universidad. En el segundo cuatrimestre yo empece a estudiar algunas asignaturas para integrarme con el entorno, la universidad y prepararme para el siguiente curso. Yo fui a Cordoba y Salamanca con universidad y tengo muchos recuerdos de estos viajes. En la escuela Internacional ayudo con todo los documentos así que gracias a todo a este GAP YEAR. Este programa me ayudo mucho. Me ayudaron todos desde mi tutor hasta el director. También he aprendido mucha cultura española. Tengo un viaje dentro del programa al Camino De Santiago, para aprovechar uno de los viajes culturales más importantes de España. Como conclusión, recomiendo este programa para prepararse para la universidad y conocer España.

During my years at UC3M, I got to participate in some of the activities offered by the university. I signed up for the gym, which has many activities you can participate in, such as crossfit or padel. Another great part of the gym is the spa. One of the other activities I have participated in is the Model United Nations (MUN), where you get to represent a country and debate about current problems. Something great about this university is that it is close to the center and there is good public transportation, which means you can easily go out to the city and visit some of the museums, go out to eat at a restaurant or go to a bar. This program helped me improve some of my soft-skills such as teamwork, flexibility or adaptability and communication.

The gap year program is a great program for not only academic reasons but also for personal growth. With the cultural activities available and the international environment of both the university and the city of Madrid, one is certain to grow as a person and learn a lot. I have been able to collaborate with the international school on many projects, I have been able to give back to the community by volunteering at university in Models of the United Nations and I have also been physically active by continuously joining the gym at UC3M and attending dance classes. The program has also helped me build some soft-skills such as cooperation, team-work and organization.

I highly recommend this program because it is a completely different experience. It helps you get to know the culture of Spain, enjoy life in the city, and to develop soft skills that will help you in the future. It's a different perspective than if you went directly to university.
Great bridge to integrate you first in the city and then start with university life. During this program you will get to attend on great lectures with amazing teachers, interact with people from different cultures and simply enjoy sunny life in the capital of Spain!