Universidad de Cádiz

I prefer to live in an apartment and maintain a high degree of independence. This Apartment I can then share with fellow students, if possible of different nationalities. Next to being able to share costs, exchange experiences and study jointly, it makes the semester even more enjoyable and facilitates the integration into the new environment. Given this, the learn-effect, from an academic and personal point of view, is very high.

The choice of courses and the availability/flexibility (time-wise) were excellent. We were able to create a schedule to our own liking and were allowed to the majority of classes. In addition we were able to chose our examination dates. However, the teaching-styles on the other hand weren't necessarily convincing. Some teachers hardly favoured student-teacher interaction, did not allow for any discussions and nor independent and critical thinking. In some courses the teacher would read out the material for straight two hours, as for example in Marketing Túristico or Entrepreneurship. I can only recommend to anyone to take classes where the subject is of great interest, one can always be unlucky and end up with a teacher who does not have the gift of delivering the material to his students in an interesting way.

No matter what great facilities universities have to offer, what matters most to me is the quality of teaching, the personality and capabilities of the teacher. I have had subject that I assumed to dislike, but with the right packaging of the material, one can surprisingly find a challenge and fun in almost all areas of study. Therefore, also in regard of my home university, I believe that there should be more focus teaching styles.

Spain is still very close to England and Germany, so it did not require any special preparations. I am very used to travelling and do not feel uncomfortable with unfamiliar situations.

If you chose Cádiz, you will study in very modern buildings, situated right at the beach. The atmosphere is stimulating and the offer of courses very extensive and diverse. However, Computer facilities are very restricted, so bring along a laptop if you own one, or borrow one from a good friend. If you are lucky you will be taught by energetic and very friendly and helpful teachers, as most most of them were.

I assume that I do not have to explain that living in London is in every aspect far more expensive that in most other European countries.