Erasmus Experience in Tarragona, Spain by Robert

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Why did you choose to go to Tarragona, Spain?

It was my only option, but I don't regret it.

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

Five months. I receive a scholarship of 500 euro/month. That's not enough, because being in such a nice country requires you to make various trips to other nearby places.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tarragona?

Their continuous assessments are something different from what i was used in my country (which was only 1 final exam/subject at the end of the semester). I can't say they are a bad thing, as you get time to study all the semester for the subject.

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

Definitely. Although Tarragona isn't a big city, it's very close to other big ones like Barcelona or Valencia if you ever get tired of it.

The teachers here are really good at explaining their subjects and captivating your attention.

What is the food like?

Depends on the restaurant you're eating at, but generally good.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Tarragona?

No. I searched myself for a shared flat on the Spanish websites. Google shared flat in Spanish, because I don't know if I can give you the name here. haha

How much does it cost to live in Tarragona?

Considering the city isn't that big, you can rent a flat just about anywhere. You will always be withing 5-20 minutes of walking distance from the URV(Av. Catalunya). My rent is 220E (all expenses included) and i live 2 minutes away from the URV. I should tell you that their University is split in 2 centers, based on the subjects. So before searching for a flat, make you know exactly where you will be studying.

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

Pretty easy, especially if you come from a country speaking a Latin based language. There are Catalan and Spanish courses at the university, but only the Catalan ones are free.

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

I took the plane directly from Craiova to Barcelona, then a bus (13euro) from Barcelona to Tarragona.

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

Clubs(every single night there are people roaming the clubs)

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

I don't usually eat out.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Roman Amphitheater, The Roman Aqueduct.

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

Try to learn some useful words in Spanish before getting here. It would be very helpful in everyday situations, around the city. And get some thick clothes for the autumn/winter/early spring nights here.