Erasmus Experience in Salamanca, Spain by Jenny

Why did you choose to go to Salamanca, Spain?

Because I wanted a small, cute town with a good university, suitable for literature studies.

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

I stayed one semester, from February unitl the end of June, and I received around 15000 sek.

What is the student lifestyle like in Salamanca?

It's what you want it to be. I wasn't looking for crazy party nights, but if one wants to go out dancing, drinking and staying out until the sun comes out, it's very easy to find those places. The clients are quite young, I felt a bit old (26) but I found my friends and my places to go to, less Erasmus.

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

Yes. It's very different from my own university, but I think every city in another country will have some new teaching methods that you aren't used to. Salamanca is very beautiful and it's easy to visit other villages from there, even Portugal and Madrid. The university was so beautiful and I liked most of my courses.

What is the food like?

Normal Spanish food. I love tapas, I ate tapas. And cooked at home. Everybody has to find their favorite tapas place.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Salamanca?

I looked at some Spanish websites before I left and found a room easily. I had to pay one month in advance and then I had a really nice stay there. When I came to Salamanca, I noticed that it wouldn't have been hard to find a place to stay later either. But in January, so many students arrive and they all need a place to stay. I recomend to look it up on internet before going there.

How much does it cost to live in Salamanca?

If you eat at home and don't party as much- it's cheap. The tapas have an average price (easy to find tapas between € 1- € 2). The coffee isn't very cheap, but it's still much cheaper than in Sweden, where I live.

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

Salamanca is known for it's clean Spanish. The university does not offer any courses for exchange students but the Erasmus center had some to offer. Also you can join groups at the library and respond to one of the many adverts in the streets.

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

I had to fly from Denmark to Madrid and then I got the train to Salamanca. It wasn't very cheap but not very expensive either.

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

I don't remember the names of the places. But if you walk around in the center you will see that most of the clubs and pubs are located in the same block. It's a small town.

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

Mesón las Conchas at Calle Rúa Mayor.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The university... Béjar, and Ciudad Rodrigo. The two last ones are villages and nature parks close to Salamanca.

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Salamanca?

I found it hard to find activities for Erasmus students. In other cities (Santiago, for example), I know that the Erasmus student got so many activities. They had everything organized and planned. In Salamanca, we had nothing like that; you had to make it on your own, which can be easy but also needs a bit of planning. It was not very easy to get to know people in my class. We didn't work much in groups and there were different students in every course, and that made it harder.

But I still recommend Salamanca. I had a lovely time and I'm definitely returning one day.