Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

Personal comments:
Eventhough Halls were more expensive than a flat (about £130 per month), they were the ideal basis for meeting people and keeping in touch with all the goings on. They are relatively new and very safe, not that Leon is dodgy, but having securoty entrance was pretty cool. The staff were excellent anc couldnt do enough for you. Internet is available as well, but the computers are a bit eighties! The staff try to mix international students with Spaniards, I shared with a Spanish girl and 2 english girls. Theres always some sort of gathering in Halls before hitting EL Hunedo... if your planning on going to Leon, this is a good start.. at least until you get yourself sorted. Theres a laundry onsite and a cafe/bar downstairs, which is pretty sweet when the sun is shining! oh.. an d a swimming pool right next door from about May!

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
ok.. there's about a million. Signatura was a favourite of mine for a wee bit of dancing, though not very big, if your into proper clubs head out on the bus that looks like something out of the BRady Bunch to Baroke.. out of town on the way to Austurias.. its pretty impressive but they get a but carried away with the lazer lights and the raving! Back to El Humedo again.. the best tapas can be found at Bar Latino, a green doored place! Head to Chupitos for a menu of shots you could only imagine! La Competencia however, is a must! THe best pizza outside El Cano! Finally, dont leave without going to the Cidra bar, which serves tasty cider as well as spicy garlic potatos as tapas! oh.. and finish they night off at Bocato Guay.. the take away place near the catherdral.. pop into El Torro on your way there for some serious cheeze,stagger home with your bocato and you will be as happy as larry!

Course recommendations:
Ok.. do international marketing if you are going into Empresariales at the Uni. Its pretty easy and they make special arrangements for Erasmus students! A lot of people go the the Lnaguage school, which is seperate from the uni, but if you are doing an exchange go for that module. Theres a course called "Espanol Empresarial" which runs each semester for Erasmus folk, its not actually "empresarial" its all grammar, but its an easy few credits. Other than that, try the Relaciones Laborales department, they have a few good modules.

Personal comments:
The university seriously needs to consider its IT arrangements.. the library had 10 computers which were all pretty crap, and apparently, you couldnt browsr for books in the library either. Be warned.. the locals can get a bit obsessive about thier studing, and that is no exageration, it not healthy!

Language of instruction: Spanish

Main source of funding:
Other

Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
Food is so cheap its unreal, and booze too. Take a trip to Carrefour (number 4 bus from the Uni) for en-mass savings! As Spain is still "developing" Telefonica still run the show when it comes to phones, so they can charge pretty high, especially for internatinal calls. NIght life as dirt cheap, even if you;ve just got a £5 you couldgo out for plenty of wine, beer and tapas. although the clubby places tend to be prices similar to the UK.. but your gettin more for your money, which can be a bit easy to forget sometimes! Travelling around Spain is a must.. the Junta organize trips at every puente so go for them, they may sound all arty and borring on the letters, but dont worry about that, we went to Seville, Barca, Cordoba and madrid. Gijon is just an hour or two away and the mountain bus is worth a shot!

Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
If you are going to Leon, dont be put off at the start. Once you meet people and get the feel of the place you will love it. Its not a big city, so dont get yourself worked up fpr that, but it is a nice place. THe best time in the town is in June when its the feast of San Juan and San Paulo, theres so much going on and the sun is shining. Enjoy!...

In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.