Erasmus Experience in Valencia, Spain by Vlada

Why did you choose to go to Valencia, Spain?

I always wanted to go to Spain because I started learning Spanish at school. Then I became interested in their culture and traditions. Therefore, when I found out about the Erasmus program, I did not hesitate to apply to Valencia. I chose this city because Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, but less crowded than Barcelona ,and it has and beautiful beaches.

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

I was in Valencia for 5 months and at that time I had about 3,000 euros for a living + my parents helped me. Valencia is not such a cheap city as it seems at first glance.

What is the student lifestyle like in Valencia?

There are so many different clubs and bars, so you will not be boring.

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

I would definitely recommend the city, but NOT University. I studied at the University of Valencia at the Faculty of Language Studies for 5 months and I was left a little disappointed. I initially chose several subjects, but when I arrived at the University, we were told to choose the subjects again. This was explained to us by the fact that priority goes to local students, and exchange students already choose from what remains. So I couldn't study all the subjects I wanted. When I started attending lectures, I was surprised by the behavior of students. They could make noise, talk through the entire audience, and the professor did not react to this at all. Also, students did not have to work very hard at lectures. Basically, the teachers read presentations on the material that was lying on our table. In addition, at the beginning of the semester, each teacher gave us an average of three tasks to complete throughout the semester. So there wasn't much homework either. Most of all, I didn't like the fact that it was extremely difficult to communicate with teachers. Absolutely no one responded to emails and did not want to answer questions outside of the designated time. Therefore, each time I had to go to consultations and sit in the queue for an hour to ask a question, the answer to which will take 5 minutes.

What is the food like?

Not as good as I expected. On average, a check for two came out at 30 euros, which is absolutely not cheap for a student. The quality and taste of the food did not match this money. But I liked the products in the stores. There was plenty to choose from.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Valencia?

I found housing in advance, which I advise everyone to do. I advise you to look for apartments in various groups on Facebook. There you can find good options and not expensive.

How much does it cost to live in Valencia?

I would say that you can live well starting from 500 euros, but of course, if you want various trips, eat in restaurants and buy something during your stay, it is better to have more money.

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

Be prepared for the fact that in Valencia they speak very little English, so it is better to know the basics of the Spanish language. To my disappointment, the university did not provide free courses in Spanish, only Valencian.

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

From Latvia it is easiest to get to Valencia by plane. But we do not have direct flights. You can also fly to Barcelona or Madrid, and from there take the express train or bus.

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

In Valencia, there are plenty of places. But I recommend Mya club.

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

It is hard to recommend something. I can recommend to eat in Italian restaurants rather than in Spanish. Food will be more tasty.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are no particularly memorable museums or other attractions in Valencia. But the city is very beautiful and I advise you to visit all the buildings of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. It is very interesting.

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

I advise you to find accommodation in advance; take not only light summer clothes, but also something warmer (a warm jacket, boots, a hat with a scarf), since in winter it can be very windy and rainy. I also advise you to prepare for the fact that the costs may be higher than you planned. And I advise while the weather is nice, go more often on excursions throughout Spain.