341 reviews
4.13 / 5 based on 341 reviews
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caledonian_dmc
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Travel, Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Bull McCabes is on Calle Cadiz (off Paseo de la Independencia) and is the biggest and most popular Irish bar in Zaragoza. Thursday night is Erasmus night and most go to Tierra or Emporio (next door to each other on Calle Mendez Nunez) followed by La Casa del Loco on Calle Mayor). There are lots of different areas to go out, but the Casco is the most popular.
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caledonian_dmc
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - My choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
University halls are expensive, sparse, some are far from the city centre, and the food is awful...or so I was told.
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Personal comments
Housing is in short supply and so is a bit more expensive than you may think. There is some housing that is seriously below standard. Many landlords simply refuse to rent to males, and girls generally refuse to share with males. So if you're a guy, get here early!
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caledonian_dmc
Languages
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: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
The university runs very good language courses to small groups arranged by ability. They are not free of charge but are well worth the money. Sign up early as they are popular. Try to get in to the first one of the term.
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caledonian_dmc
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
An ERASMUS grant<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits
I live with my parents so I spent more on everything than at home, but they are all MUCH cheaper than at home.
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Overall, Nightlife, Telephone, Food, Travel, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Under Spanish law, deposits on flats are 1months rent if unfurnished, or 2 if furnished. This means you pay up to 3 months' rent up front, so opening a Spanish account and transferring money ASAP is important. Check how much your bank charges to take out money abroad and to transfer money for foreign accounts. Setting up bank accounts are easy, all you need is your passport and some money to deposit. iberCaja is a great bank (but they are only local.) Santander Central Hispano are good and a very big national bank (and have agreement with RBS back home).
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caledonian_dmc
Overall
I wish I had known...
Big effort required to become friends with Spaniards, especially girls.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The social life here is excellent as it is a big student city. Tourism is not big here so prices are low and crime is low, and not a lot of people speak English so you are compelled to improve your language skills.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Zaragoza is slightly out of the way for people to visit you etc, but is a great place to live. It has it's own airport and Ryanair are starting to fly there from December. If it does well, you'll be able to fly there from places like Prestwick, Dublin etc too. However, at the moment, fly to Barcelona or Madrid and take the coach service (www.alsa.es) or the train (www.renfe.es). Find out all you can from people who have been here before you.
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caledonian_dmc
Academic
Course recommendations
The university lets you pick any classes from any years and you can try them all out for a month before finally choosing. The computer lab is a joke; it's too hot, too small, and half of the computers don't work. Most students use internet cafés.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Pick subjects carefully. Read the recommendations of people who went before you. Lots of other Erasmus in the same class is a good sign. Some teachers make it easy for you, some are particularly harsh. Use your trial period to figure them out.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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