Erasmus Experience in Valladolid, Spain by Kim

Why did you choose to go to Valladolid, Spain?

It was not my choice to go to Valladolid, but I haven't regretted the city they gave me for one second.

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

10 months, I received about 900 euro per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Valladolid?

There are a lot of students in Valladolid. I was teaching there (but just graduated) so I went out lot with local people and students. The atmosphere is great and an alive.

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

I don't have any experience with the University of Valladolid.

What is the food like?

The food is AMAZING! Make sure that you go to 'Jueves de tapas'. Every Thursday, all the bars are filled with people drinking amazing wine and enjoying delicious tapas! Definitely, the day to go 'tapear'.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Valladolid?

I started sending out emails to different people about 3 to 4 weeks before I left, and lucky as I was, one week before I arrived I got an answer. I checked the place out the day I arrived and immediately took it. Other friends had a more difficult time though, so beware.

(I sent out emails to housing-websites, in search for a room. I shared an appartement with three other people. )

How much does it cost to live in Valladolid?

I paid about 350 euro a month for the room

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

I took an independent course for a week (had studied some Spanish on my own before) and started from there onwards. People rarely speak English in Valladolid, so you will learn the language quickly!

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

When I lived there, I travelled by ryanair (economical, charleroi -- Valladolid), however, nowadays there are no flight from European countries to Valladolid anymore. Still I think it's quite cheap to fly to Barajas (Madrid) and travel by bus to Valladolid from there. The bus costs about 35 euro one way and it takes about 2 to 3 hours.

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

A lot of small bars are definitely nice to go (thinking about the little bottle and a lot more). If you really want to stay out late (after 5AM), then you should go to cocoon club (near plaza mayor). The bar is known as 'bagur'. A lot of drunk people, but good music and a lot of dancing as well. (Usually open till about 7 - 7. 30)

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

Calle de correos (-- a lot of small bars to have tapas, definitely worth going there! )

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You should definitely visit the cathedral, just walk around the city centre (streets surrounding the cathedral + plaza mayor).

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There is a beautiful park as well, walking from plaza mayor to puente colgante, and just walking by the river, you really get some nice sights, some calm...

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

The people in Valladolid (older people) are not really open to foreigners, so don't be offended by people walking into you in the street for example. Just make sure that you already know some Spanish, or that you learn quickly because people of stores are rarely capable of speaking English.