Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? To feel more like part of the university.

Personal comments:
I shared a house with approximatly twenty foreign students, who came from across the whole world. Most of them spoke english and were at different levels of spanish. It was a very fulfulling experience; living in such a multi-cultural house. Though it did not help our spanish, as we all found it much easier to speak in english instead! Living with spanish students would have been more beneficial, but I do not regret my decision to move into such a vibrant house. Also, it was only a mere twenty minutes by metro to the city-centre and approximatly forty-five minutes to university.

Describe host city: Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

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

Personal comments:
Clubs: La Palloma; massive diso built in the 1930's as a dance hall; thursday nights are the best. Best bar: "Vela de Negro" (The Black Sheep); just off the top of the Ramblas near the metro "Catalunya". Attracts a high number of young people from all over the world, & also very cheap sangria (although it isnt very strong!). Best bar: "Sherlock Holmes"; located at Placa Reile, a very private bar, traditional with high ceilings and a laid back atmosphere with cheap drinks. Very easy to pass by though, as a door bell has to be rung in front of huge doors. The bar which has about 3 rooms is located up a fleight of 2-storeys! Best restaurant: "Lapaloma"; located near the top of the ramblas at Catalunya metro, lovely & varied food, which is not too expensive either. Also a choice of sitting upstairs by the window & watching the world go by on the ramblas; beautiful. Best night spots for tapas & bars: "Fontana" metro, off the side streets somewhere are alot of small restaurants & bars. Art gallerys: lots of independent art gallerys located in the "Barri Gotic" district; as you are heading to the coast on the Ramblas, it on the left hand side; one feels like a child in a maze. Be careful of muggings though, as it is quite common in these little side streets. Best jazz club: "Harlem Jazz Club", located in the Barri Gotic, but not quite sure where. different music every night, which includes live bands. Lovely atmosphere. Museums; the sex museum on the ramblas; highly recomended.

Course recommendations:
As I could not speak spanish or catalan fluently, my choice of courses was severely limited. I would recommend sorting out the availability of courses before you leave the country, as the organisation from my university and the host university was poor.

Personal comments:
Generally more dicipline to the foreign students; make it compulsary to meet with a tutor at least once a week. As I got the impression that the majority of tutors did not bother with the foreign students, & usually left them to do whatever; drifting in & out the classes. Of course, the language barriers did not help.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Main source of funding:
Personal savings

Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work

Personal spending habits:
I spent alot of money eating and drinking out, regularly. The food and drink was cheap in comparison to England, but I indulged alot more! However, the rent was cheaper, so that made a difference. I think that if a student is sensible, then they could spend less than at home; but the cafe's/restaurants/bars and shops are all too tempting!

Food, Nightlife, Overall: was more expensive than at home.

Travel: was the same price as at home.

Telephone, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
What the course options were. The proper dates for the start of term.

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!