Erasmus Experience in Ciudad Real, Spain by Derval

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Why did you choose to go to Ciudad Real, Spain?

I chose to do my Erasmus year in Ciudad Real because I wanted to avoid the more popular destinations amongst students so that I wouldn't be tempted to speak any of my two native languages (English and French) while living in Spain.

Ciudad Real had under 30, 000 people living there and no one I spoke to even knew of its existence.

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

I spent 9 months there and cannot remember how much I was receiving from my college at the time but it was sufficient for rent, food and going out as Ciudad Real is a very affordable city.

What is the student lifestyle like in Ciudad Real?

Out of more or less 27, 000 people, Ciudad Real counts over 10, 000 students so you can image that the student life is quite dominant there with a lot of festivals and events organised throughout the year in and around the campus.

Jazz festivals, short film festival, inter-campus parties with other regions of Castilla-La Mancha...

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

I would only recommend this city to students who actually want to come back from their Erasmus year almost fluent in Spanish. If you put your heart to it, this is the perfect place to learn as none of the locals speak English and even the Erasmus students I hung out with made the effort to speak Spanish to each other (whatever level we had).

Bear in mind that I wasn't that good at Spanish when I left and am now fluent, and Ciudad Real played a major part in me getting to this level.

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What is the food like?

The food is possibly one of my best memories: Go out to have a 1, 50 euro beer and it comes with free tapas. But not olives or crisps like you would get in Madrid. It comes with mini-pizzas, patatas al alioli, jamón, bombas and other amazing accompaniments.

Eating out is very cheap as is cooking at home which makes it easy to host big food parties where you can make others discover your own national dishes. (many international food parties were had my year there, Brazilian food was the best I tried! )

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Ciudad Real?

A lot of calling around was necessary my first two days but day three I had moved into a great flat with balcony and 4 bedrooms for... 120 euros a month!

The only daunting thing is having to speak Spanish on the phone to impatient landlords but just make a friend, get the newspaper and call from a terrasse cafe and it will go just fine!

How much does it cost to live in Ciudad Real?

Around 300-400 a month.

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

They speak Spanish very clearly in Castilla-La Mancha, fast (like everywhere), but they enunciate their words so you'll catch on fast.

The uni also offers language courses for Erasmus students at a minimum fee the first month of classes. They separate you by level and the teachers are usually young, laid back and those classes really helped me get settled in.

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

The beauty about Ciudad Real, it is so small you will never need to get a bus unless you are leaving the city! Get a bike for easier access but even without one, I lived in the south, the campus was up north and it took me 25 minutes to walk to class in the morning.

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

El Perro, Compay and many more for dancing. My personal favourite bar was The Living Room, its a grungy rock bar that had playing cards, chess boards and huge pints of ice cold beer.

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