Erasmus Experience in Murcia, Spain by Emily

Source

Why did you choose to go to Murcia, Spain?

A Spanish teacher recommended it to me and said that it was a sweet place with excellent weather all year round.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I worked for the British Council teaching English and they paid 700 euros per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Murcia?

There is a street near the university la Merced where the tascas are situated. There are lots of small bars and clubs. Badulake is especially good if you're an Erasmus student. The student lifestyle in general is very good- low living costs and rent are fantastic. Plus drinks are cheap too.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Murcia to other students?

I would, however sometimes it's difficult to communicate because the locals don't tend to speak in clear castellano (the murciano accent is very strong) and many people don't speak any languages so knowledge of Spanish is a must! Also the transport network can be a problem because buses can be very unreliable.

What is the food like?

The food in Murcia is fantastic. You just have to look for small typical style restaurants and be open minded to some of the food because it can sound a little strange. Ensaladilla rusa and croquetas are lush. Also the local bakeries do some incredible cakes- tarta de abuela and bizcocho are really yummy.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Murcia?

Yes, it took me 11 days to find my accommodation because I was picky. In the end I moved into the first flat I ever looked at for a cheap price. The deposit was the equivalent of 1 months rent which I got back at the end of the contract. The only thing you need to be careful with is bills- the price of utilities in Murcia is quite expensive, especially water and electric.

How much does it cost to live in Murcia?

It depends. I wanted to enjoy myself as much as possible and make the most of my time there so I ended up spending quite a lot of money going to the cinema and going out. My rent was 200 euros a month plus what tended to be about 100 euros in bills so I had about 400 euros to live on.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I would say no, but you learn little by little. The first couple of months settling in and developing your ear for the language is the hardest, but after that it gets much easier. After 6 months you'll feel right at home. There are language courses at the university and the Instituto Hispanico. Also Spanish people are desperate to learn English so its easy to do a few intercambios to practice and learn from the people.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Murcia from your city?

I had to fly to Alicante airport, then catch a bus from Alicante to Murcia. That's what most people do as San Javier airport is really difficult to get to and from.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Murcia?

Badulake, La rue, Revolver, Teatro Circo.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Murcia?

Cafe Martinez in Plaza Santo Domingo, Plaza de Las Flores has some lovely places along with Plaza San Juan.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The cathedral, the casino, Cuartel de Artilleria, La Plateria, Traperia, the bull ring, Nueva Condomina, Cartagena, Lorca etc.

Source

Source

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Murcia in the future?

It'll be quite demanding but enjoy it because you will never forget it.