Erasmus Experience in Cadiz, Spain by Emma

Why did you choose to go to Cadiz, Spain?

I chose to go to Cadiz because it looked like a beautiful city to live in - the buildings, streets and beaches looked amazing! I also wanted to be near the beach for the nice weather so I could make the most of my free time whilst living abroad. It was also a good place to live to travel to several desinations.

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

I was there for 10 months in total and received my student loan and grant from Student Finance England which was £7500 for the year and I also received another £3000 for the year for my Erasmus grant.

What is the student lifestyle like in Cadiz?

The student lifestyle was very lively in Cadiz. There was a large Erasmus community called ESN, who organised several nights out and trips for the Erasmus students at a reasonable price. A few of the places include Gibraltar, Portugal, Seville, Cordoba, Tarifa, Ibiza and Madrid.

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

Yes definitely. The university was very different from my home institution in the UK but a good experience of Spanish culture none the less. The city is a beautiful place to live, with several beaches, restaurants and bars to keep you busy.

What is the food like?

The food is great, some really cheap places with good quality food and also some places that are a bit more expensive but the food is amazing. There is a large choice of food and several tapas restaurants with food to suit everyones tastes. There is also a large Carrefour supermarket to buy your own food which is cheap.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Cadiz?

No it didn't cost me to find it. The university had an accommodation board with information on flats or rooms availabale to rent which was useful. There was also a place on the university website that helped you find accomodation.

How much does it cost to live in Cadiz?

It varies depending on the flat, but my flat costed 250 euros per month with internet and water included in that, so I just had to pay> my gas/electricity bills every 3-4 months on top of that. Some of my friends, however, were paying as much as 350 euros per month with no bills included.

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

The language is a little bit difficult due to the dialect but is easy to pick up after a while. The university offers a language course which is discounted from 400 euros to 150 euros for erasmus students, which is good value for money. The course is for 2 hours 5 days a week so is intense but worth it.

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

I flew from Newcastle to Malaga then got the 4 hour bus to Cadiz. It was the cheapeast and easiest way for me to travel. You could also fly to Jerez and get an hour train but they only fly to Jerez from London Standsted airport.

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

There are several places depending on the type of music you like. Me and my friends loved Nahu to go to first as the music was great and the drinks were pretty cheap and you can dance on the chairs! Other pre bars that were good were M2 and Soumat. Then down at La Punta where the main strip of clubs were there is several choice to suit everyones taste, including Kings and Queens, Aki Te Quiero and Supersonic amongst many others.

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

My favourite place was Balanadros, which served the most amazing food in the form of tapas or a proper meal. It wasn't really cheap but it also wasn't really expensive either, definitely got value for money! Mares was another favourite of mine which was a beach bar restaurant so the views were as amazing as the food. Again, good food and good value for money. There was also lots of nice cheap tapas places in Plaza de Mina.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There is the cathedral which is beautiful and you can go inside for a couple of euros. There is also the top of the tower, which is the highest point in Cadiz. You climb to the top and there is a small presentation about the history of Cadiz shown on a board with a live camera on the city.

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

I would highly recommend Cadiz because it is such a beautiful picturesque place to live and you will not regret it! Just have fun and make the most of your time there because it will be over before you know it!