Tips and advice for Murcia

1. Tips and advice for living in or travelling around Murcia
2. Managing your money in Murcia
3. How to get to Murcia
4. Neighbourhoods in Murcia
5. Accommodation in Murcia
6. Food and restaurants in Murcia
7. Nights out in Murcia
8. Transport in Murcia
9. What to see and do in Murcia
10. Trips and days out in Murcia
11. Parties and festivals in Murcia
12. What are you looking for in Murcia?
13. Visiting Murcia for 2 days

Language

Spanish is a very rich language linguistically speaking, and it also includes a large variety of dialects which are characteristic to certain regions (Extremadura, Andalusian, Catalan, Valencian, etc. ) and very different from each other.

Amongst these dialects, we can find Murcian, which is the dialect spoken in the whole region of Murcia, not just in the city. Murcian is a variant of Castilian Spanish which is characterised by its diminutives such as -ico/-ica, as well as by not pronouncing the end of words, the omission of the letter 's' and for using the interjection "acho", which is used for almost everything and can mean many different things depending on the intonation it is said with. Even if you know how to speak Spanish, you will come across words in Murcia that only exist there, such as for example:

As well as these terms, you will also hear expressions typical of Murcia, such as:

In addition to all of the above, at the University of Murcia (UM) they offer an intensive Spanish course for any foreign students who are interested in learning more of, and more about, the language itself. The course is completely free for students who are taking part in the mobility programme at UM. If you're not a student at the university, then don't worry, there are also general Spanish courses available at both the university, and at other teaching centres across the city, such as the School of Languages. Although to be honest, if you want to learn Spanish, get together with Spanish people or take part in the weekly tandems that take place in different coffee shops.

The weather

If you're looking for warm and sunny weather, then this is the city for you. The region of Murcia has the typical warm, dry climate that is found in the mediterranean. It very rarely rains there as, instead of rain, there are between 250 and 300 days of sun every year. Due to being located at the coast, the inhabitants of this region are used to having mild winters and really hot summers, but don't worry; you can always go to the beach or the swimming pool to cool yourself off!

In winter, the average temperature is 17ºC during the day and 8ºC at night time, but never be too trusting, always have a good coat on hand just in case. On the other hand, in summer temperatures rise and can reach up to 40ºC. But don't panic! Usually, the average temperature is 33ºC during the day and 23ºC at night.

Your luggage

Summer essentials

In summer, heat waves are very common in Murcia, so don't forget to pack light clothing and some good flip-flops with your bathing suit. If you don't want to pack sun cream, you can always buy it when you get there, but don't forget to buy it because you will burn if you go out when the sun is at its hottest. Don't worry, you can cool off in the municipal pools that are spread out throughout Murcia or you can go and bathe at the beaches there which are only 50km away from the beach, such as for example La Manga del Mar Menor or Cala Cortina, at Cartagena. Always have sunglasses on hand and have light footwear, you will need it!

Winter essentials

Even though temperatures in Murcia aren't as low as they are in other communities, winter is still winter, so don't forget to pack warm clothing to keep you warm and maybe even gloves so that your hands don't freeze because smoking and using your phone will no longer seem important. Also pack a shawl or a scarf to keep your throat wrapped up, as it's really easy to get ill at this time of year due to the temperature change when going in and out of buildings. So don't be so trusting, always take a coat!

ESN

Are you excited about the idea of going to live abroad but you're scared because you don't know anything about the place youre going to? Don't stress! As soon as you set foot in Murcia, you will have access to one of the biggest interdisciplinary associations in Europe.

What is ESN

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a large non-profit organisation, whose main motto is "students helping students", and its job is to make sure you feel at home here in Murcia as soon as possible. Just like throughout the rest of Spain, this organisation is also active in more than 500 higher education centres across 39 countries inside the continent of Europe.

What type of activities do they offer?

On the contrary to popular belief, ESN does not only work with BadulaKe Bar to give students the best best nights out in the city, as it also organises a variety of cultural, social and leisure based activities, which you can participate in during your stay here in Murcia. One activity that proves to be popular time and time again is the 'Language Tandem'. Every Monday from 21:30 onwards, hundreds of students (whether they're exchange students or not) get together at La Fábrica to have a few beers and make new friends, so that they can practice and learn a variety of languages with the help of native speakers.

It wouldn't be a true Erasmus experience if there weren't so many parties available to attend. At the start of the semester, ESN organises a really cool Welcome party that often takes place at Sala REM, so that all of the new students can get to know the Murcian night life. However, throughout the rest of the year, there are an endless amount of opportunities to make the most of parties available, some with different themes such as Eurovision, LGBTI and nationality based themes, amongst others.

However, for those who don't really like partying that much, there are loads of other options available to have a good time there, such as the international meals (tapas and blind meal nights), table football nights at Metrópolis and Spanish cinema days - this last option being a really good way to improve your understanding of the language.

Last but not least, ESN organises super cool trips around the country, and they even take you to Ibiza, which is in the Balearic Islands. In general, the most popular trip is the one that goes to Valencia, where you can take advantage of the legendary festival that is Las Fallas, although without a doubt, the exchange students prefer the trip to Ibiza, where they can meet around 2000 people having the best time at the greatest nightclubs on the island. Nevertheless, don't forget about the trips that you can do within the region of Murcia, mainly the one that takes to the ever famous Carnaval de Águilas. During this event, the streets of Águilas are full of outfits, music and lights: a once in a life time experience.

With everything that ESN makes available to you, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience in Murcia.

Why join?

As we already know, moving is a stressful process and it can tire you out both mentally and physically, regardless of the distance you're going. You arrive at a totally foreign place, where people do not speak your language, where you don't have a support network or where you have to start a new life from scratch. It is essential that you remember 'Rome wasn't built in a day', but ESN is here for exactly that reason: to give you all the support that you could possibly need.

The best part about ESN is that, not only does it encourage you to learn about Spanish culture, or Murcian culture even, but it also makes others aware of your country of origin whilst sharing with you all of the traditions and customs of that country. Meaning that it is a really welcoming organization that celebrates the diversity that comes with the exchange program like that that exists in Murcia, as well as those that are all over the continent.

Required documents

Every time you go to a foreign country, make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork in order. One bit of advice, always take a photocopy of your identification documents and have it with you at all times just in case, for if any problems should arise or you lose the original documents.

You will need different documents depending on the reason for your trip to Murcia. For more information go to Entry requirements, where you will find everything you need to know about what to you will have to bear in mind when travelling to Spain.

In the event that you come to Murcia just for a trip and you already live within the European Union, go to the web page of the Home Office (known in Murcia as the 'Extranjería') for more information; alternatively, if you're coming for a trip but you are from somewhere outside of the European Union, you will find information by following this link The foreign affairs section of the Home Office.

On the other hand, if you're coming to Murcia not just for pleasure but to study, then go to Study in Spain and you will find everything that you need to know.

With regard to health in general, If you're from a country that belongs to the European Union, don't forget to get the European Health Card, so that you can be sure that you will be covered should you need any medical attention whilst you're there; it is essential. In any case, there is also the option of using a private healthcare system, or if you're going to study or work, make sure you are well informed regarding what insurance/support is covered by your university or the company that you are going to work for to avoid any unexpected problems that could arise whilst you are in Murcia.

• Go on to Managing your money in Murcia

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