Erasmus Experience in Tarragona, Spain by Styliana

Why did you choose to go to Tarragona, Spain?

Actually it wasn't a real choice but it was one of my options and I liked it cause from Tarragona you can really go anywhere by train or bus around Spain, like Barcelona or Madrid or Valencia. I really liked the fact that it was a city by the beach also.

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

The scholarship was for 6 months and I got around 500 euros each month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tarragona?

The student lifestyle is really silent during the winter but when there is a summer festival like Santa Tecla everything changes and there is really a lot of stuff to do.

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

Well it depends. If you would like to chill out and enjoy a relaxed and not so wild stay during Erasmus then yeah i really recommend it for the winter. If you are a party person then there is chance you will get a little bored in the winter but have a real fun in the summer.

What is the food like?

That's a really good question because I really haven't understood where the food is good and where not. Most of the times I was eating out i didn't like it so I decided to cook more but if you search around the internet there are some good places to eat especially in the old town (Parte Alta) since it's the most visited place by tourists.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Tarragona?

Not cause I knew how to use the web so I found my studio by myself. It took me a week though but it was a good decision at last because I got to know the city while looking around for "piso en alquiler". If you don't know where to search try these websites: Yaencontre & Habitaclia. Don't go to an agency! It will cost you a whole rent extra! Try finding a place near Rambla Nova or Rambla Vella or inside the old city (Part Alta), because all the life of the city is there. You can find pretty much everything around there and have easy and fast access to the bus stops.

How much does it cost to live in Tarragona?

It depends. If you want to live alone it will cost you around 350-450 euros/month +electricity+water, but if you live with others then probably a lot less ( around 150-250 euros +electricity+water depending on the number of people living together). Electricity is pretty descend and water is really cheap but if you would like to have internet and you will stay for just 6 months go with the company called "Jazztel" all the other ones need at least one year contract.

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

Well some people are easier to learn some languages and some are not. In Tarragona most of the people speak Spanish rather than Catalan (Tarragona is in Catalonia not Spain) but if you ask them they will tell you to learn Catalan. I think Spanish works just fine because everyone understands it! There are courses of Spanish and Catalan at the University rather for free (E. I. L. C. ) or for a low price.

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

Well since i live far from Spain (Cyprus) it was really difficult getting to Tarragona since i had to travel though Italy (Milan) to Barcelona because there were no direct flights. Then from Barcelona you have to take the train to the centre (Barcelona Sants) and then take another one to Tarragona which takes around 1 hour and 5 minutes.

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

If you want to have dinner out go to Placa de la Font, there some good traditional restaurants and a great burger place. Also go there if you want to go for a cheap drink and chill out. Now if you really like clubbing and dancing you should go to the "Pub Highland" or "Tot em" in Rambla Vella, "El Cau" which only works in the summer and "La Isla del Mojito" in Carrer Roger de Lluria which offers great drinks and free dance classes. For more just join the "Erasmus Exchange Tarragona" group on Facebook where there is an almost-every-day update of the events in town.

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

"Tastum" in Placa de la Font is a great burger place, "20 a la rambla" is also a great restaurant and "Pizza Nostra" in Rambla Nova.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You should definitely visit the "Circ Roma" which is a roman wall, "el Balco del Mediterrani" which has a great view, the amphitheatre, "el Pont del Diable" and I would of course recommend walking all the way down Rambla Nova which is the bigger street of the town but also finding your way through the little streets in Part Alta and discovering hidden treasures like the "Catedral de Santa Maria de Tarragona".

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Tarragona?

Just be organised and spend less money going out for dinner and more on travelling. Use the bus cause is really easy and cheap to get around the city if you are not a real fun of walking. Meet people studying there longer than you do, they will take you to places you could never have found on your own. Have a great time and as much fun as possible! Don't forget to go for a walk by the sea (Platja del Miracle) and if it's summer of course just get in!