Interview of an Erasmus in Cádiz.

1. What steps did you take to obtain a scholarship?

I forgot a little: p. Some papers to fill for the university including my parents' income, how many dependent children etc.

2. Were they worth it?

Yes! The steps are not very complex and the scholarship is quite substantial.

3. What did you think of the university? Lessons? Schedules?

The University of Cádiz is very nice: it's close to the beach, it's surrounded with pretty patios and it includes a cafeteria that's very cheap and very well supplied (yum! ).

University of Cádiz: Source

The courses are varied and interesting (although our choices were quite limited because of the need for equivalence with our university and because of the time constraints), but more difficult than what we're used to! I remember the "philosophy and literature" course and "Hispanic American literature" course which were quite robust!

As for schedules, you have to get used to it... but we get used to it quikly.

4. What did you think of the city?

Cádiz is very nice and very picturesque, especially the Casco Antiguo that looks more like a village than a city. You feel right at home and the people are rather quiet and welcoming. The weather is superb and the sea is everywhere. On the other hand, it's not the most dynamic city in Spain : I heard it was the place where the unemployment rate was the highest, and you can feel it. The Erasmus (quite numerous) bring the atmosphere in bars, but the natives are quieter. In addition, the city isn't big (we go around the city very quickly). Still, cafes and nightclubs are pretty cool.

Casco Antiguo: Source

5. How did you find your accommodation?

By going on site in August. Just go to the university: a billboard is constantly filled with ads. On the other hand, it's a lot more difficult to find accommodation for six months than for a year : I had a lot of rejection because of that!

6. What do you think of the climate?

Fantastic: the sky remained blue from September to February. It rained three or four times during my stay and the locals kept telling us that we had no luck with the weather, that it usually doesn't rain "as much" :p!

7. Is it easy to get to this city from a Belgian airport?

Yes, just land at Jerez de la Frontera or Seville, both of which are served by Ryanair.

8. What advice would you give to a future Erasmus?

The city is very beautiful and it feels really good. The university is also very nice. The only complaint we can make, which I mentioned earlier, is that it's a very quiet city (if we compare it to Granada or Seville, by example, who are younger and more dynamic). The atmosphere is family friendly, like in a village, which has its advantages and disadvantages.