My Classroom Experience at King Juan Carlos University
Having just arrived in Madrid as a new student at URJC, I’ve been attending classes for almost a month and feel there’s a lot I want to share, especially on the topic of professors. Before I came, I saw mixed reviews online which made me a bit nervous. Now that I have some firsthand experience, I hope to offer some insights for future students.
The professors at URJC are really diverse. On my campus, Vicálvaro, some are very traditional academics who delve deep into theoretical knowledge; attending their classes feels like listening to an academic lecture on Spanish university professors. On the other hand, some are part-time instructors who are partners or directors at companies. They don’t focus much on theory but share a wealth of firsthand industry case studies, which is incredibly engaging. So, your classroom experience largely depends on which style you prefer. Overall, you can’t just label professors as ‘good’ or ‘bad’—it’s all about whether their style matches your learning preferences.
So, how can you pick the right professors? My advice is to do your homework before course registration. Besides the official course descriptions, it’s best to ask senior students who have already taken the classes. I’ve categorized the professors to give you an idea—knowing your options is half the battle, after all.
| Professor Type | Pros | Cons & Strategies |
|---|
| The Academic Scholar | Solid knowledge base, deep academic expertise | Can be dry and fast-paced, much like some traditional university Spanish professors. Strategy: Prepare before class and read the recommended bibliography. |
| The Industry Pro | Practical, real-world case studies, up-to-date with the market | The theoretical framework might be less structured. Strategy: Ask lots of questions and actively organize the key concepts yourself. |
| The “Hands-Off” Professor | High degree of freedom, potentially easier grading | You might not learn much, leading to a final exam scramble. Strategy: Be self-disciplined! Proactively communicate with the professor. |
You might also run into some… peculiar professors, like those with an accent so thick it’s nearly impossible to follow, or whose PowerPoint slides look like they were made in the last century. If this happens, my advice is to keep a level head. Classes at Spanish universities are quite flexible; while the professor is lecturing, you can study your own materials or look things up, as long as you can pass the final exam. Don’t let one or two bad apples spoil your view of the whole university—most professors are very responsible and friendly, and your focus should be on passing, not on unrelated topics like professor salaries at URJC.
Studying at URJC, choosing courses is like opening a mystery box—you get both pleasant surprises and shocks. But if you do your research beforehand and talk with other students, you’ll likely be able to pick professors you like. Feel free to add your own experiences in the comments below, sharing your ‘hidden gem’ professors or a list of ones to avoid. Let’s help out future students together!
