Erasmus Experience in Tarragona, Spain by Naya

Why did you choose to go to Tarragona, Spain?

I always wanted to go to Spain but I knew living in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona would have been really expensive, so I chose Tarragona which is close to Barcelona.

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

Usually it's one semester, but if you go during the winter semester you can ask your home university to extend your studies for one more. I got approximately 500€/month but the prices are different from country to country.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tarragona?

Mainly, we had morning classes so after 2 we were always free. And then we got together we friends, you have the beach that is really close to you and botellones!

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

Tarragona is really beautiful but you have to have in mind that it's small. But I absolutely recommend it, especially during spring semester!

What is the food like?

They have some traditional plates that you need to try like paella, tortillas, tapas etc. But since I'm Greek I didn't see many differences but it always depends on what you are used to.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Tarragona?

It wasn't that difficult but I recommend finding a place before you get here and not search for a house while you are in Tarragona because then all the good apartments will be already booked.

How much does it cost to live in Tarragona?

Depends on your lifestyle and how much you will spend during the month. For me the 500€ that I got every month were okay.

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

In Tarragona they speak Catalan since you are in Cataluña but they also speak Spanish so don't worry. Also the university will organise courses for those who want to learn. For me make sure you will have a buddy who you can speak Spanish with.

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

The Erasmus community will always organise amazing parties for you but I highly recommend highland and then totem. There is also la fábrica, which is in Reus.

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

You will find many good restaurants with low prices on rambla Nova, the main street of the city.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are a lot of places you can go. The university will give you a mini guide as to where you can go once you get here. Also the Erasmus group will probably organise a tour in the city, so no worries.

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

Don't go for Erasmus during a pandemic