Erasmus Experience in Salamanca, Spain by Laura

Why did you choose to go to Salamanca, Spain?

I had the choice between many destinations in Europe, but I wanted to focus on Spain for 2 reasons : improve my Spanish and not be handicapped by a high cost of living. I chose Salamanca especially for the beauty of its city center, which is really worth seeing. I was able to confirm my choice thanks to the feedback I had on the general atmosphere of the city, the evenings, the climate, etc.

How long is your stay? How much help do you receive?

My stay lasts 5 months, from February to mid-June. As it is Spain, I receive the minimum assistance of the Erasmus + program, about 700 euros for the duration of the stay, plus my CROUS grant (100 euros /month) ).

How is the student atmosphere in Salamanca?

She is great! There is a lot of Erasmus coming from all over Europe, but also a lot of students from South America and the United States. As the city is not very big, I quickly got to know everyone. We are like a " big family" "Erasmus, everyone knows everyone, we are never alone. In addition, the number of bars, clubs, etc. allows us to take full advantage, any day of the week and at prices that are ridiculous!

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

If you have chosen Spain but can not decide which city, I recommend Salamanca without hesitation! The party, the climate, the cost of living, the proximity to Portugal... It is, in my opinion, the ideal city to do an Erasmus. Not too big, not too small, you can easily walk there and there are lots of nice places for a beer, ice cream or just sunbathing on the Rio.

How is the food in this country?

As in all Spain I suppose. tapas bars at every street corner, really cheap. It can be a problem for those who do not eat pork or meat in general. Overall, food is good, but not exceptional. You will certainly miss French bakeries.

Have you had any trouble finding accommodation in Salamanca?

No trouble at all to find accommodation. We must especially remember not to go too EARLY : it is better to wait until the erasmus of the previous semester have left the places, you will find many more things (again, to very low prices, especially when coming from Paris).

What is the cost of living in Salamanca?

This is the paradise of students, especially when compared to cities like Paris or Lyon. Tapas bars are very affordable, as are rents, bars, beers, etc. Be careful though, as nothing is expensive we tend not to control our spendings as much.; )

How is language learning? Have you been to language classes organized by the university?

The best is to find a flat share with locals and / or Latin Americans. I also advise not to stay too much with people who speak French. It is difficult because there are many, but there are a lot of opportunities to mix with other erasmus. The university offers Spanish classes (10h / week for 4 weeks at 150 euros). Overall, one can easily practice several languages ​​if one makes the effort not to stay with French people (especially Spanish, German, Italian, English).

What is the most economical way to get to Salamanca from your city?

Certainly by bus. I flew from Paris to Madrid and then took the train to Salamanca.

What places would you recommend to party in Salamanca?

The inevitable Chupiteria which offers a wide variety of shots at 1 euro. Then there are many sports bars where the atmosphere is at its height the night of the match (especially France VS Spain) as St Patrick's pub for example. Every night of the week, the Irish pub offers theme nights tailored for Erasmus. In terms of nightclub, there are many but they all are more or less the same (reggeaton at full speed from 23h to 7h in the morning) like Kandhavia, Bizu etc. We also enjoy Paniagua, Potemkim and many other places. There is really something to do, do not hesitate to search and try.

And to eat in Salamanca? What are your favorite places?

I really like the 100 Montaditos which offers Wednesdays and Sundays tapas at 1 euro. The Montejo is also a tapas bar, further from the center, a little more expensive but really very good. The Mandala is also very good if you are a fan of exotic fruit juice or batidos (milk shakes).

And what cultural tours do you recommend?

I personally have not done many visits. But there are plenty of places to visit, including the cathedral.

Salamanca is located between several mountains, natural parks, etc. which is very nice when you like hiking. We can do very nice walks without going very far (1h30 / 2h by car).

A tip for future students in Salamanca?

This is the perfect time to open to others especially when you are a little shy. Go out, meet people, enjoy long weekends to discover other parts of Spain or even Portugal. Of course, you must not forget that you are there primarily to study. We have a little trouble at first because it's difficult to stay focused when the language the teacher speaks is not ours. Be careful when choosing topics during the week.

Finally, I would say what many people must have told you before but one could not be truer; it's a great experience, one of the most memorable time of your life! So do not miss it, enjoy a maximum!