Erasmus Experience in Malaga, Spain by Lydia

Why did you choose to go to Malaga, Spain?

I was a last minute applicant (3 weeks before placement started) and someone had dropped out of the Malaga placement so I was then offered the opportunity.

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

The placement was three months long which at first I felt like that was long enough. However, the further into my placement I got, the more I never wanted the experience to end and I wish I could have done the placement for a year.

During my placement I received a total of 1160€ which was not necessarily enough to live on but luckily I had some savings which meant I didn't have to budget too much. I would advise anyone to have some savings before embarking upon the placement, just in case.

What is the student lifestyle like in Malaga?

Malaga is great for students. There are international pub crawls and Erasmus events almost every night so it's really easy to meet other students. Furthermore, the relaxed lifestyle and the ability to be at the beach is also a good way to meet people, particularly as there are activities such as volleyball which you can participate in.

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

Definitely!

What is the food like?

I was not so keen on the food in the beginning however I was only ever really accustomed to English food but by the end of my placement I really loved the food. The cuisine is healthy and well done. There are some great restaurants in the city centre where you can experience tapas and a beer.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Malaga?

Yes I had to pay an agency fee of 200€ however this was not a necessity, merely because I only had 3 weeks to find accommodation whilst studying exams.

How much does it cost to live in Malaga?

On average for a student it should be roughly 200€ per month.

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

The university was closed in the summer when I was there therefore I didn't have the opportunity to study at the university and it was quite expensive to learn Spanish in the Plaza de la Merced so I found it best to make friends and help them with their English and they helped me with my Spanish. Apps are also useful to download and listen to.

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

Via plane and then a 15 min bus journey to the centre of Malaga.

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

• Cheers.
• Sala Gold.
• Sala Wengé.
• Las Tortugas.
• Pub ZZ.

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

I can't think of any names but the tapas + beer is a good offer wherever!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The tour bus is the best for pointing out the key landmarks however Teatro Romano is an obvious choice.

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

Wear sunscreen, be confident and embrace every moment and opportunity!