Nawel's Erasmus Experience in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Why did you decide to go to Palma de Mallorca, Spain?

Peaceful weather, and also we're on an island so there's a feeling of safety!

How long are you there for? What financial aid are you receiving?

As far as my scholarship is concerned, the process has been very complicated, I just want to share my experience so that the same thing doesn't happen to you!

Firstly, I came to Palma for a semester, but it turned out that the academic calendar of the university here was different from that of my French university. In other words, if I went back to France I would have missed five weeks of class.

So I wanted to extend my stay, but you should know that the records can't be done over and that the scholarship ends at the end of the first semester, if that's all you've requested.

Another thing to watch out for: Make sure to read through the university's introductory manual thoroughly, because even if you stay just one more semester, you still have a fixed rate. Basically, Erasmus may consider one semester to be equivalent to X amount of weeks, but if your university has dedicated a certain amount of Erasmus weeks, they won't give you any more money for the missing weeks!

Similarly, the regional grant counts one semester as eight weeks of classes, and two semesters is 11 weeks of grant.

But in reality, the duration of a semester is closer to 20-30 weeks!

Be very careful...because I had to get a job alongside my studies to sustain my needs...

How is student life in Palma de Mallorca?

To integrate properly you should go to the integration week organised by the Erasmus programme.

It's a week where the entire Erasmus programme gets together and spends the day together doing activities.

On the one hand, this enables you to visit every corner of the island, and on the other, you can make friends!

Just for your information, there are only 15 French people out of 300 Erasmus students here this year (2018-19).

Would you recommend the city and the university of Palma de Mallorca ti other students?

I would recommend it 100%.

I'm not a big party animal, drinker etc. I knew to look for activities that were interesting to me.

As for the University of Palma, it's well-connected with the metro (from the city centre) and also with the bus (but from outside the city in the mountains).

It's a good half hour to the city centre (Plaza Espana) by bus, and on the metro it's 15 mins. The metro goes from Plaza Espana, and the terminus is at the university (UiB).

How is the food in this country?

The food is very cheap, both in restaurants and for general grocery shopping.

Did you have difficulties finding accommodation in Palma de Mallorca?

Yes, I couldn't get a place at the student residence because it's full every year.

Since I didn't want to live with anyone else, I had a hard time finding a place. But to be prepared, I went during the holidays before moving in, so that I wouldn't have to worry about it in September.

What is the cost of living in Palma de Mallorca?

Like I said, daily life in Palma is generally inexpensive outside of school holidays.

Is it easy to understand the language? Did you go to classes organised by the university?

Another issue is that Catalan is emerging more and more in Palma, so make sure you take classes in standard Spanish and not Catalan!

I took some intensive Catalan classes on the side so that I would be able to follow my usual classes.

What is the cheapest way to get to Palma de Mallorca from your city?

There are two options depending where you live, the bus ticket or the metro ticket, because you can't use one or the other. The bus ticket costs €20 a month, but to get it at this price you'll definitely have to go to the city hall and become a citizen.

The metro ticket is €25 with student discount and is valid for 40 journeys (one go = one journey).

And to eat in Palma de Mallorca? What are your favourite places?

Plaza de Espana, Plaza Majorque, there is something at these places for everyone.

Which cultural places would you recommend?

Definitely the cathedral!

The integration week was helpful just to visit and get to know the history of the city because Erasmus organised a morning with a tour guide.

Any advice to give to future students going to Palma de Mallorca?

To organise your journey there very well beforehand, because administration is very slow...

Also, because of the shortage in accommodation, don't just tell yourself that you'll find a place when you get there, because everyone does that. There are loads of pages on Facebook made specifically for the purpose of finding accommodation.

On top of that, the flight tickets aren't too expensive if you get them early (volotea, easyjet, Ryanair) but be aware that when there are no flights to France because of the season, you'll have to pass through Barcelona!

Have a blast in Palma, it's amazing!