What Is Your First Week at ESE Madrid Really Like?

Starting a new academic journey is a profound moment of self-discovery. Moving to a new city—or even a new country—naturally comes with a myriad of questions. Who will I meet? What will my classes be like? How does everything work? And will Madrid actually start to feel like home?

At the European School of Economics, we believe that external success is always a reflection of one’s inner state of being. That is exactly why we pour so much thought and visionary intention into Induction Week at ESE Madrid. Before regular courses begin, our new students are given the essential time and space to get to know the school, meet their future colleagues, and start discovering the vibrant city they will be calling home.

See our Induction Week highlights on Instagram.

Getting Settled at ESE Madrid

We started this year’s Induction Week with Student Services Day, covering everything students need to confidently navigate their new environment: how our private university operates, who to contact for dedicated support, what to expect during the semester, and practical information about living in the Spanish capital.

Afterwards, we shared a welcoming brunch at the school. It may sound simple, but having this dedicated time of creative leisure before classes commence makes a fundamental difference. It provides students the chance to connect naturally and start putting names to the faces of the future leaders they will see every day.

That afternoon, we left the campus for our first company visit of the semester: HOFF. Students met members of the HOFF team and learned about the inspiring story behind the Spanish brand, its innovative marketing strategy, and how the company has dynamically developed. It was also an early introduction to a core pillar of studying at our business school: true learning never happens solely inside the classroom; it requires direct osmosis with the world of business.

Watch our visit to HOFF on Instagram.

Academics, Careers and Visionary Development

The following days focused intently on academic excellence and professional development. Our Academic Department introduced students to the unique philosophy of studying at ESE and helped them understand their individual study plans, carefully designed for those pursuing a rigorous British degree. The Internship Department also presented the exceptional professional opportunities and bespoke support available to students throughout their studies.

Students then had the privilege of meeting a guest speaker from ATREVIA’s Talent team, who shared highly practical advice on recruitment, internships, and preparing for future professional milestones. These vital conversations start from the very first week because education here is not just about accumulating facts. It is about the art of dreaming and learning how to turn your inner passions into tangible, real-world opportunities.

Discover ESE programmes.

Madrid Becomes Part of the Experience

Our students arrived at a particularly electrifying time. Madrid Fashion Week, Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, and Formula 1 events were all happening across the city, giving our cohorts an immediate glimpse into the dynamic industries, rich culture, and elite experiences surrounding them.

Fashion students had the exclusive opportunity to attend live runway shows during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, including the Isabel Is My Name show as part of the EGO programme. This is one of the distinct advantages of studying across our international campuses: unparalleled opportunities in business, fashion, sport, culture, and entertainment are constantly unfolding around you, and we empower our students to seize every single one of them.

From First Introductions to a Lifelong Community

We concluded the week with our Welcome Aperitivo on a beautiful Madrid terrace, giving students the chance to relax and spend quality time together outside the university environment. And that is truly what Induction Week is about: building the foundation of a supportive, visionary community.

By the time classes officially begin, the environment feels deeply familiar, there are friendly faces all around, and Madrid has already started to feel like home. In just one week, our students met their new community, visited a thriving Spanish company, prepared for their academic and professional journeys, experienced major cultural events, and began discovering the limitless potential of student life at ESE Madrid.

And that was only week one.