Erasmus Experience in Cartagena, Spain

Why did you choose to go to Cartagena, Spain?

Because I was bound to a company which works together with the University of Cartagena.

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

Three months. 220E per month from Erasmus.

What is the student lifestyle like in Cartagena?

I'd say they are rather serious and spent a lot of time studying; that is, more than I'm used to in the Netherlands.

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

I wasn't studying at the University; no opinion about that. As to the city, I'd prefer to go to a bigger, more alive city but Cartagena has it's charmes. It's small and therefore easy to make friends and I liked the old part of the city too.

What is the food like?

Good food. Own preparations, with my (spanish) flatmates and the restaurants serve good food too.

How much does it cost to live in Cartagena?

175 euro.

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

The dialect in this region is quit hard to understand but of course you'll get used to it. There is a language course at the University which helps to refresh or start with Spanish.

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

By plane although by car or hitchhiking is much more fun!

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

To Barecito, a small and cozy bar. Good to hang out and enjoy a beer. For party, suite40 is cool and the Blue One too although is pretty far away.

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

I could walk to the place easy enough but I don't know the names of any restaurant anymore. I do know that most, if not all, of them serve good food and it's fun to try them out!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Just read the tourist info. There's no more.

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

Avoid the summer as it's dead and too warm. During spring or fall the city is much more alive and the climate is much better.

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