Erasmus Experience in Valencia, Spain by Kadri

Why did you choose to go to Valencia, Spain?

Because I wanted to get a longer summer, which I did!

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

I stayed for 5 months (one semester) and received 2400€.

What is the student lifestyle like in Valencia?

Most Valencian people didn't bother to make friendship with me. I do have a few friends from Sevilla and I get along with my classmates but not with all of them. Valencian people tend to keep to themselves.

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

It is very difficult because all the exams are in Spanish. You have to write them in Spanish. Nobody cares if you cannot do it. The official language in school is Spanish and you are supposed to compete with Spanish students.

Source

What is the food like?

Spanish people don't eat healthy food. I hardly ever go out to eat. I like this Sushi place in Benimaclet called Miss Sushi. They make the most wonderful sushi there. And the interior design is amazing. But go at luchtime! The Lunchtime menu is a lot cheaper. But actually cafes have the normal European price (expensive).

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Valencia?

I got my accommodation in Valencia through my Estonian friend because I would have been homeless if I wouldn't have had no friends here before to find me a place to stay! So start your searching early. I got my place 1 week before coming. I do not recommend the internet sites for searching accommodation here, because it is more expensive to rent a room near school than right in the city centre and you can get from the centre to uni fast by metro. Although most of your friends will probably get their rooms near school (Benimaclet, Blasco Ibañez). So if you are very outgoing and like to party it would be better for you to get one somewhere there too, but your room is probably gonna be very small and you are still going to pay 200€ a month with all expenses included. Whereas my rent was 160€ and I lived in the centre (you are going need a bicycle or some sort of transportation anyway).

How much does it cost to live in Valencia?

Monthly I spend about 350-400€ that includes everything, but I am the poor student who never goes out and stays inside because I am an art student and I have to spend the same amount money in art products as I would spend if I went out.

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

Language is easy. I did not take any language courses here. I just started talking little by little.

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

Metro, tram and also Valenbici. I would recommend Valenbici if you can dowload an app to your phone that gives you the spots where the free spaces where you can leave your rented bicycle are. Otherwise a metro costs 7, 20€ every 10 uses.

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

If you are a girl don't go anywhere! And never walk alone from home. Short distances are okay. But it is dangerous to walk long distances alone at night. If your Erasmus ESN friends have parties, it's okay to go there, but going to clubs is such a waste of time.

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

Miss sushi and there are a lot of more good places.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The old town in the centre and the Oceanographic. If you have more money to spend on ESN trips around Spain I would recommend it because this is the right way to meet your Erasmus friends.

Source

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

Don't drink a lot of alcohol and don't smoke, they will get you in trouble!

Source