Experience in Salamanca, Spain, by Carmen

Why did you choose to go to Salamanca, Spain?

Because I like the city, it's peaceful, relatively small, and you don't need a car to move around. It's an ideal city to live in, with much to offer culturally, educationally and when it comes to leisure. It has a great bus service and an incredible quantity and quality of food. Castilian cooking is marvelous!

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How long is the scholarship?

How much money did you receive to help you with living costs?

At the moment, I don't have a scholarship and I'm paying for my studies myself.

What is the student lifestyle like in Salamanca?

Great and safe. The students give this city a lot of life and there are people from all over the world.

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

Yes, I think that it's ideal for a student.

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What is the food like?

Very good. During the winter the food is very appealing, because it's cold and the food is hot. They are made with traditional, local and healthy products: fruit, vegetables, cured meats (ham, chorizo, cold meats) etc. )

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Salamanca?

No, there's a huge deal... although finding a big, modern flat in the middle of the city, like mine, with an enormous terrace where you can see the Cathedral and the Clavero Tower from... it's not easy... but seek and you shall find! I found a flat privately, from an advert in the newspaper La Gaceta, which is a newspaper from Salamanca. The private listings tend to have better flats than the agencies, in my opinion...

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How much does it cost to live in Salamanca?

Per month, I approximately calculated, including rent, extra bills such as electricity, water and heating, food and transport, that you would need about €30 or €35 daily. Excluding if you go out partying... or eat out in restaurants, etc. then this will increase the budget!

Is the language easy to get to grips with?

Are there language courses available at the university?

I speak English perfectly, and apart from my course in the Art School of Salamanca, I'm currently studying Portuguese in the Language School of Salamanca.

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

I used to live in Valencia and I used to go there and back by car. I also lived in Madrid and sometime I went by train or bus. From Madrid there are a good combination of buses, although I would recommend that you take the Servicio Express that, although costs a little more, takes a lot less time. The normal service Avanzabús which tends to stop in loads of places, and this is a problem because you arrive a lot later and it gets really boring. Also the train services are really good. Now, they've made a high speed Madrid-Salamanca, but it's a little bit expensive.

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

Everywhere!

Is it good to eat out in Salamanca? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Personally, I love going to Casa Paca, because the food is great and they cook traditional meals here. In the canteen you can eat well, but it's expensive. In the bar, you can eat tapas on a little table, and a good meal would cost around €20 per person, including a dessert and coffee... Sometimes, especially if it's Sunday, you can't sit to eat anywhere in the bar area because there are so many people. Also, I love to eat in "La freiduría de Paco", in front of the train station, Vialia. The food is very good, fried fish, octopus, and some traditional dishes from Galicia, and you can go there for around €20. The tapas in Salamanca is good if you do a tour of the bars on Calle Van Dick, where there are loads and each one has its own specialty. Also there is a great patisserie in front of the Van Dick cinema, which is Portuguese, and they do amazing cakes... for a snack, you can sit there and have a coffee and sweet treats and quite a reasonable price. And finally, as I have a sweet tooth, I would recommend the patisserie La Industrial, on the street Calle La Rua, near the Cathedral... the "hornazo", a traditional Salamancan empanada filled with chorizo, a fillet and other types of pork, and they do them wonderfully in this patisserie. I am addicted to the "hornazo" ever since I first tried it. The pastries are also heavenly, particularly with lemon, and the croissant with toasted egg yolk and cream... it's a delicacy! Some times I allow myself to satisfy my cravings by going there!

And what about cultural visits?

They're awesome. I recommend, apart from the capital and its museums and buildings, that you go to the mountain range. Towns such as La Alberca, Mogarráz, Las Casas del Conde, el Casarito (where they do incredible roast meat in any of the restaurants there), don't mustn't miss out... it feels like you're in the fourteenth century! There are also the areas Candelario, Béjar, Hervás, a town called Granadilla, where Gabriel and Galán lived... they are trips that you're going to love. Culturally, Salamanca and its surrounding towns have a lot that you can see, and I would say it's like a "small Rome". When it comes to interesting museums, straying from what the normal tour guides would do, I would suggest you go to the Museum of Flour and the Automobile Museum. These two are in Salamanca next to the Roman bridge, and they're great! If you go to Béjar, go and see the Textiles Museum, where there are old machines that they used to make clothes with... it's very interesting. In Candelario, there is also a Costume Museum and The Traditional Wedding, which is also worth a visit.

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

Well the people here seem very serious, but when they open up their heart to you, you'll have friends forever... The climate is very cold, and to find a house that has heating included in the rent (they're called "servicios centrales") is an advantage, because the winter is very long and the heating costs a lot. Anyhow, the climate here, despite being cold, is very dry, which means that if you wrap up warm the cold won't chill you to the bone. This is the complete opposite in Valencia, where I lived before. There is a lot of humidity in the city, and although the temperatures there are softer, the houses aren't prepared and the cold actually does chill everyone to the bone! Well, future student, have any amazing time here, and if you need any help, call me and I can give you advice on whatever you need. Enjoy everything you can and make the most of the time here for yourself and making friends: the best investment you will make is to invest in yourself and your experience and don't lose yourself! Look after yourself, as we only have one body for our whole lives, so treat it well!

Bye! Carmen