Erasmus Experience in Alicante, Spain by Bozena

Why did you choose to go to Alicante, Spain?

For the weather. During the winter months they have good weather, temperatures even get to 22 degrees and it doesn't rain, plus it's sunny. However, you have to make do in the afternoons, as the temperature drops.

Luceros Square

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San Juan beach, near Alicante

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How long was the scholarship? How much money did you receive to help?

The scholarship, in my case, lasted from September until January - 4 months - and I received 400 euros.

Postiguet beach, in Alicante centre

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Panoramic views of the city

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How is student life in Alicante?

It depends, I personally find the native students to be very friendly and helpful. But I have heard various opinions, some negative.

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

I recommend the city as it's not huge, the public transport works really well although in my opinion it's expensive. However, you can't miss out - the most important aspect is that it has both the sea and the mountains close by.

Alicante has both the sea and the mountains close by

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The University is very demanding, and I didn't know this before my stay here. There is a lot of work, group projects (if you get lucky and you have hard working people and a very organized group the work is a piece of cake, if you end up with otherwise it's very difficult). I do not like the organization of the studies: very formalized work, in other words, there are many tasks to do and all the work is concentrated within one month, in my case in December.

The University of Alicante

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How's the country's food?

The food is really good. I recommend the tapas and skewers served in the traditional tapas places, that is to say, not in chain restaurants such as 100 Montaditos, which is rubbish food.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Murcia?

I found my accommodation online before coming here. This was an error on my part because I ended up with a flat with lots of problems. There was a huge issue with dampness. The wardrobe in one of my housemate's rooms filled with water when it rained. The poor girl had to spend two weeks sleeping in the living room until her room dried up. The same thing happened to me, as my room also was affected by the rain. One day, after school, I found on my bedroom door a note from the landlord detailing the planned work to be carried out on my bedroom, during which I'd have to either find another flat or sleep in the living room.

I myself solved this issue by proposing another solution to the landlord. Knowing that within two weeks one of my roommates would return to her home country, I suggested that the landlord move me to her room. The funny thing is that the landlord was informed of the other tenant moving out and strangely it had not occurred to him to suggest this idea to me. In the end my room was fixed-up a few days before my departure to Poland.

Another day, the gas canister which provides us with hot water in the shower run out. We had to wait two days until we were given another. My friend's house was supplied with a new one in just two hours, in comparison. During my five month stay there were so many breakages and problems, more than during my ten years of living in my flat in Poland. Within the first two months both the refrigerator and the washing machine broke. In December we had several floods in the bathroom.

I forgot one thing. I with living with another girl had the bedroom overlooking the courtyard covered with trees and rubbish. Where there is rubbish there are also rats. One day, a rat appeared at the window of my friend's room. Of course the landlord did not know about this and was very astonished to hear about it. I paid 200 Euros for my room, while for my friend's luxury apartment, (recently renovated and even equipped with a tumble dryer), the landlord would charge 270 per month. My friend had the exterior room with a balcony. Finally, I overheard a conversation between the landlord and a member of the neighborhood community. In his own words, students make the best tenants, as they only rent a room for a few months at a time and don't complain.

What's the cost of living like in Alicante?

This depends on what country you come from. There are people who come to visit from Paris or Belgium. For those from Eastern Europe it is very expensive, especially food and transport. Clothing, for example Primark, is the same price as in my home country.

Students in Alicante

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How's the language? Did you take a University course?

No, even those with low language skills can communicate. I do not enroll in any language course.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Alicante from your city?

The cheapest way is to fly with Ryanair.

What places would you recommend for a night out in Alicante?

This depends on your personal tastes. There are various clubs, bars etc. There are also places for those who like salsa, bachata, etc.

A bar in Alicante

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What about eating out in Alicante? Can you tell us your favorite places?

The tapas bars on the narrow streets near the port. Go down Rambla street and onto another street and look around. There are also restaurants which serve fast food. The same as what you can eat in my home country. I don't recommend this.

What about for a cultural visit?

There are loads of cultural events. There are websites where you can look up concerts, film showings in the museum and much more. Also, concerts are organised on campus. Today there is a choir singing Christmas carols. I recommend a place called Villavieja, which has a great atmosphere. They have jazz music concerts, cuban music, flamenco.

Do you have any advice for students coming to Alicante?

It's important you find a flat you're happy with. Every flat has problems, for example, noisy flatmates. But this is normal as Erasmus people want to have fun, no? But when your landlord doesn't have time to change the gas canister, leaving you unable to shower for two days, it becomes a problem.

The majority of Erasmus people live near to Plaza de Toros. Few people live in Vicente del Raspeig close to the University (30 minutes by bus from the centre of Alicante). If you want to go out twice a week minimum, go for accommodation in the city centre, if not then San Vincente. Take into account that during the first two months you'll be going out a lot but later on, it'll be once a week. The flats in San Vicente are a lot cheaper, in better condition and there are a lot of restaurants to go to there. I would choose San Vicente as opposed to the centre.

Students at the university campus

The campus

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