977 reviews
4.17 / 5 based on 977 reviews
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yoghurtgirl
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Chueca, La Latina, Palacio Gaviria on Thursdays, Irish Pubs
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yoghurtgirl
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
Almost all the people I've met here living in families have regrets about doing so. Living on your own at a Spanish piso with roommates is so much better than having to explain everything to a Spanish family.
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Personal comments
They give you a little help, but I heard that the housing they offer (apartments, the residence halls are mostly for Spaniards) rooms without windows etc.
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yoghurtgirl
Academic
Course recommendations
I'm studying English philology (linguistics and literature) here at Complutense. Officially, all the courses are supposed to be in English, but in practise it takes a while and a lot of running around the first week to find out which courses are actually in English and which aren't. Still, I found excellent courses from excellent professors in English.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
The department of English philology needs some structuring, organisation and guidance. The professors themselves don't know what's going on sometimes when it comes to practical matters. Also should they invest in a good book shop where you can buy all your books for a reasonable price. Now a lot of things are copied. Professors should let their students buy an anthology instead of copying everything and destroying a lot of trees.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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yoghurtgirl
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I'm supposed to take courses taught in English here at Complutense and I found some excellent ones after a lot of running and searching at the English Philology department. Still, all other programs are taught in Spanish. There's a free language course for Erasmus students in September and February.
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yoghurtgirl
Overall
I wish I had known...
Don't worry! Things are going to be fine! The administrative hassle people talk about is also non-existent!
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
It's a big university in a big city. This city is excellent for night life, culture, central location... I recommend it to everyone!
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Make sure you invite some friends to visit you during the year. It's always nice to see some people from home while you're here. Still, do NOT leave your heart in hour home country. Your heart should be here because this can be the time of your life. Do NOT go home during your exchange (except for Christmas). Spend the money of a plane ticket home on a nice trip in Spain or Portugal so you feel even more at home.
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yoghurtgirl
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Family
Government assistance
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Especially the housing here is incredibly more expensive than in Belgium. It's ridiculous how much things cost over here. Most apartments are small and not luxurious.
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Food, Telephone, Housing, Nightlife, Overall:
was more expensive than at home.
Travel:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Get a Spanish bank account. I can recharge my mobile phone now and pay in all the shops etc. It's so easy!
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