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Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)
Universidad de Salamanca, Patio de Escuelas 2, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
4.25 / 5 based on 516 reviews.
Description:
Since its founding in 1218, the University of Salamanca has had illustrious jurists, scientists, doctors and writers among its professors and students. In 1987 the construction of a new campus was undertaken to satisfy the growing needs of the University of Salamanca. This remarkable material growth that the University of Salamanca has undergone over the last ten years has been accompanied by an even more remarkable qualitative and quantitative growth, both in the number of students and teaching and administrative staff, on the one hand, and in the number of degrees and doctoral programs offered, university institutes and technological centres and services for the university community, on the other.
91% of students recommend
516 reviews
Universidad de Salamanca review by Melia
Review by Melia, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, University Agreement 
HOUSING
Personal assessment
Type of housing: With a family
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why? I would like to live with Spanish roommates around my age and thus immerse myself in the culture. Living with a family during my first visit to Spain was a good choice, but I would like to make Spanish friends.
Personal comments:
I was happy with it, although it took some adjustment. I had expected to be treated as a family member, but it was more a business arrangement than anything; I was a boarder. I ended up becoming close with my host sister, and we're still in touch. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
STUDENT LIFE
Personal social experience
Describe host city: Student life dominates the city
Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment Nightlife, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment Personal comments:
Cum Laude was always packed with young people, locals and foreigners alike, playing the latest pop hits. The Irish Rover was mostly for English-speakers; people spoke English to you at the bar. It played lots of hip-hop and had live music occasionally. The Grillo Azul is Salamanca's outstanding, reasonably priced restaurant. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
ACADEMIC
2.5 / 5
My academic experiences
Course recommendations:
Make sure you have a clear understanding with the professor -- what he or she expects, and what you will be doing to earn your grade. The school system is extremely different in Spain than the US, so be prepared for lots of lecture, little discussion, and little guidance. We didn't even receive a course syllabus, and there were no daily assignments, only suggested readings and a final exam.
My opinion of the university assessment
Personal comments:
Much more professor-student interaction; more discussion; clear daily assignments and periodic tests; much less lecture punctuated by activities to get students involved This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) My level after: At ease in most situations Personal comments:
It was difficult at first, because I couldn't understand or speak Spanish very well, but I quickly picked it up. It was hard to converse with my Spanish friends because the interaction was so fast-paced. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
EXPENSES
The accessibility of student needs
Main source of funding:
Family Other sources of funding:
Government assistance A private grant Work opportunities:
Personal spending habits:
You have to pay for services that are free or cheap at home, like laundry and internet. The food is much cheaper in Spain than the US, and the clubs had no cover charge, so going out was cheap. I traveled more than I do at home, so it was more expensive. Travel, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home. Food, Nightlife, Housing: was less expensive than at home.
Personal comments:
Just expect to pay for the services mentioned above. Find restaurants with "el menu del dia," which gives you a several course meal for around $5. Walk places instead of taking taxis. Use the Let's Go Guide for traveling to find cheap hostels. Take out large amounts of money at a time, because your bank charges you a fee each time you withdraw. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
OVERALL
Important to choosing this university...
I wish I had known...
Staying with a host family is generally a business arrangement. Fashion is extremely important to Spaniards, so bring nice clothes. It gets really cold around November. Most stores close from 3-5 every day, and most are closed on Sundays. Things generally aren't as efficient as they are in the US (processing VISAs, etc.) so be patient. In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
During my experience abroad, I ...
Personal recommendation:
I can't say that you shouldn't study there, because it was my professor I didn't like. It was interesting to experience the Spanish school system firsthand and interact with the native students, and it was helpful to hear lectures in Spanish every day. I mainly took classes from my America-based program, IES, and had only this class at the University. I enjoyed the IES classes much more for their American structure (even though they were all in Spanish, too). FINAL COMMENTS
Buy phone cards to call home; calling cards are pretty expensive. Some internet cafes have microphones you can use to talk to people online. Avoid locutorios (stores with phone booths); their rate is usually pretty expensive. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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About iAgora
iAgora provides university reviews and ratings by international graduates, Erasmus and exchange students. International rankings and admission details to graduate programmes like masters, MSc, MBAs and summer courses at Universidad de Salamanca and other business schools and universities.
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Couldn't have asked for more.
Pretty good.
Could've been better, but didn't lessen the overall experience.
Disappointing.
Very Important.
Important.
Not really important.
Unimportant.
