Erasmus Experience in Santiago de Compostela, Spain by Katja

Why did you choose to go to Santiago de Compostela, Spain?

It is little city and there is different culture. It was different place to choice and there hasn't been so many other erasmus from Finland.

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

I get money from Erasmus. I'm not sure how much it was but maybe 200€ by month. And I got it to every month, I think that I got 1000€ total.

What is the student lifestyle like in Santiago de Compostela?

People don't take stress and it was awesome. Everyone helps each others and they helped me a lot with timetable and at the class and other things where I needed help. They asked me many times at dinner and to parties. Students were very kind and helpful and they wanted to get know me.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Santiago de Compostela to other students?

Yes of course. And the city was good, not that expensive as Madrid for example.

What is the food like?

I liked it. It was cheap and good. And I liked wines there. And pulpo was good also. At the school I didn't eat that much but in the evening we went to the different restaurants.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Santiago de Compostela?

No. I found it at the Facebook.

How much does it cost to live in Santiago de Compostela?

I paid 250€ for living there, including water, electricity and Internet. And food I don't know that well but I shop a lot different clothes which are more beautiful and better that Finland.

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

Yes there was but it was difficult. I didn't like it. We couldn't speak English at all in the class and it was hard to study there because we didn't understand. And we couldn't do exam as well because we had too many absences from class, Maybe four times I could't be at the class because timetables was at the same time.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Santiago de Compostela from your city?

We took cheapest flights. It was maybe 300€ when we went there and when we come back it was maybe 200€

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Santiago de Compostela?

There were many bars and every was good. I liked most that kind of where was local people/students

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Santiago de Compostela?

I can't remember names but one local recommend many very good and cheap restaurants there. Not in the city but near the city.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

there is museums of course where we visit. Also University's have many cultural place for example History faculty has nice library. also there is psyciatric hospital which has been cultural place to see.

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

Well, people doesn't speak English so it is very important to speak Spanish.