Erasmus Experience in Valencia, Spain by Stela

Why did you choose to go to Valencia, Spain?

I wanted to go to Spain because of the language, but I do not have a high level in Spanish. I tried to find a university in Spain, where I could study both in English and Spanish.

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

I have been there 4 months, that is one semester. I got 400 per month. Money helped me a lot, since without it, I couldn't have attended the school in Valencia.

Source

What is the student lifestyle like in Valencia?

Nice people, good weather and an excellent school.

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

Yes, for sure. One of my friends is going there in Summer.

What is the food like?

Typical food is Paella. I really recommend it. They eat usually Tapas but you can also get pizza and fast food almost everywhere. I usually cook by myself or with my friends. It was cheaper and we had a lot of fun.

Source

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Valencia?

There are a lot of apartments for rent, so it is not a problem. It took me a lot of time to find a place that was suitable for me. And it was not so cheap.

How much does it cost to live in Valencia?

600-700 EUR per month, but I travelled a lot, almost every weekend. I visited some old Spanish cities. On the other side, I usually cooked, since it resulted cheaper than eating outside.

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

For sure, it is easier than from home. I would not say so, because universities courses were offered only in Catalan or Valencian. But there are a lot of private or public courses, but not for free.

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

You take a flight from Bratislava or Vienna or Prague. It depends on the situation and think about which one is the cheapest.

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

There is a great variety of good places. When it is hot, the beach is perfect, in the city center there are some nice places or along Blasco Ibañez.

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

I tried some of them. Osaka, located in the city center, is great to try sushi. You can try the best Paella near the beach, but I warn you: it is expensive. 100 Montaditos is the typical bar to eat tapas and so on.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The city center is not so big and concentrates almost all historical buildings, churches... And Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

Source

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

Just go and enjoy it as much as possible.