Universitat de València Reviews

Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Although I thoroughly enjoyed living with a host family, I would like the experience of living with natives closer to my age.

Personal comments:
I was very pleased with the accomodations both UVA and the Universitat de Valencia made for us. At times, they did too much! The program tailors itself to your needs. If you are looking to get out and meet native speakers, then you have that opportunity; and if you are looking to hang out with Americans and just enjoy the study abroad experience, then you can do that too. However, if you are going to go that far to simply hang out with Americans, then you will not learn nearly as much!

Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community

Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

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

Personal comments:
Unfortunately, the hot night spots in Valencia change from week to week. When I was there, the students all crashed plaza xuquer on the weekends for cuba libres! If you are there during the summer, hit the clubs at the beach! There might be a long line, but it is worth it! During the week, there are many pubs and cafes that cater to everything from pints with friends to studying with jazz. DO NOT miss las fallas in March. Go to plaza ayuntamiento at midday to experience the loudest, longest firecracker display of your life, then at night you can catch a fireworks show that puts most American July 4th festivities to shame. Pub Dover in Plaza Xuquer is a great Irish pub with Valencian natives who like to help Americans practice their Spanish. I worked there, so I speak from experience on this one!

Course recommendations:
There is a surprisingly wide variety of classes, but the University of Virginia has watered them down considerably. However, this allows you to pursue other interests, like museums, film, etc.

Personal comments:
Honestly, I would not recommend changing anything because it offers each student an opportunity to tailor their experience to their goals.

Language of instruction: Spanish

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
Personal savings

Work opportunities:
It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits:
Most food is cheaper when at the supermarket. Most restaurants are the same though. I had a mobile phone, and the rates were the same as a mobile calling card plan. My apartment was a lot cheaper than in the U.S. Most bars and disos were cheaper, although a few are more expensive. Travel was cheaper mainly just because public transportation was a lot cheaper.

Telephone: was the same price as at home.

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

I wish I had known...
I had already know this, but I know that other students said that they had wished they had known that everyone dresses really nicely. There were times when certain students felt uncomfortable because they were underdressed (shorts, tee-shirt, flip-flops, etc), and many found themselves buying clothes there. Best to bring nice clothes with you so that you don't have to spend the money when you get there buying new stuff unless you were already planning on shopping there.

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.