Erasmus Experience in Zaragoza, Spain by Raminta

Why did you choose to go to Zaragoza, Spain?

While participating in competition at my university for getting ERASMUS scholarship, I had to pick two university options. As my dream at that time was to travel and live for some time in Spain, so I looked what opportunities for Erasmus exchange in Spain were offered. Evaluating universities by the study programs which fitted my needs I chose university in Madrid, and other in Zaragoza. I preferred that studies were only in Spanish language; new, modern university; big or average sized city. Sending institution decided to send me to Zaragoza, San Jorge University.

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

I got scholarship for one semester (4. 5 months), each month 450 Euros. However it was not enough for fulfilling living costs and additional needs. By the way, I decided to stay another semester, making it whole study year, but I didn’t get scholarship for prolongation and had to rely on my family’s help.

What is the student lifestyle like in Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is a perfect city for students! It’s average sized, and everything - old town, city center, university campus is concentrated, with great infrastructure of public transport. So you can reach old town, your fellow students, university or bars really fast and without getting terribly lost.

Many places for meeting, studying, relaxing, partying, shopping. During the year a lot of events are happening. People are friendly towards foreigners. Great place to live.

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

I definitely recommend Zaragoza, it’s an unique and comfortable city, very accommodating, in a very good geographical location - you can easily reach Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao, Pamplona. It is more or less at the same distance from Zaragoza. Zaragoza also has airport, so catching flights to south of Spain is easy, if you’re interested in traveling.

I did not study in University of Zaragoza, so I cannot comment about this institution. I did my Erasmus exchange in Universidad San Jorge, which is in outskirts of Zaragoza, but reachable with public or private transport. It is new, modern university, with great professors and interesting curriculum activities. Quite serious rules and expectations for students, but that also applies for teachers and staff. International relations office is very helpful.

Campus also includes great sports center with various pitches, for football, tennis, volleyball, basketball, padel; includes gym and swimming pool, so you can take some activities during the break, if for example you have classes in the morning and evening and don’t want to get back to the city center.

What is the food like?

It is amazing! Many places to eat out, so you can choose what kind of food you like. Of course Spanish and Mediterranean food dominate. A LOT of bars where you can get tapas and pinchos, many supermarkets, like mercadona, simply, el arbol, lidl. Also a lot of pastry shops to buy fresh baked bread, cookies and other stuff. Great central market for buying good quality vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, cheese and other stuff.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Zaragoza?

No, I found accommodation without any mediation costs, however, while I was looking for room I had to stay in hotel/hostel for few days.

How much does it cost to live in Zaragoza?

It depends on your needs, for example I didn't try to save money on food expenditures and enjoyed variety of great cuisine. For my accommodation I paid aprox. 250 Euros each month, for transportation aprox. 20 Euros, for phone bills aprox. 15 Euros. Food and drinks aprox. 300 Euros. Summing it up, you need ~600Euros for one month. Not including traveling.

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

Language for me was not a problem, I had quite decent background before coming. University suggested free Spanish language course, however it was not very useful, because every students (with different language knowledge levels) were put in one group.

I heard that many students decide to take intensive Spanish language course before semester starts, however it cost aprox. 150-200 Euros depending on the length of the course.

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

From Vilnius to Zaragoza the easiest and most economical way to travel, in my opinion, is to take Flight to Barcelona and then take a bus to Zaragoza, or a fast train. Train might be more expensive but much more faster. And if in advance you can get great deals for fast train.

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

Main attraction at night are in the Casco and el Tubo, in every street there are several bars so you can go choosing. From my stay in Zaragoza I remember Casa de Loco, Bull Mccabes, Cucaracha, La Martinica (the main exchange students meeting point).

If you prefer a little bit alternative places, I recommend going to la Zona, which is not in the old town, but more close to Zaragoza University campus. I could recommend bar Posturas.

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

I suggest enjoying a big variety of places to eating out. It's so hard to pick one or two good places. Many of them are good quality and price value.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Zaragoza is full of space to go around and meet the culture and interesting stuff. I strongly recomend to pass by some of the museums, historical buildings, concert halls, etc

Visit concert halls, and some pubs for music events...

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

Try to visit main tourist attractions and museums during your stay, it also shows you another side of city, and try to participate in as many events during Fiestas Pilares. I did not use these opportunities during my stay, so when I got back to Zaragoza for visiting after few years, I was astonished, how I missed all that great stuff during my stay.

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