Universitat Jaume I (UJI)

As I had to search my accomodation for myself, I could choose among various possibilities. In comparison to Germany the costs are considerably lower. I was disappointed by the help offered by the university, because they could only facilitate an incomplete list, written in Valenciano, the second official language of the Comunidad Valenciana.

Discos: Botánico, Jardines. Cafés: Café Flandes, Casa Verde (different), Café Quina (comfortable, very good coffee an cakes). You shouldn't miss the Magdalena festivities in March and the Fallas en Valencia, in March as well. In summer, all nightlife activity takes place in Benicassim, vacations spot at about 14 km; there is a bus service.

If you search accomodation, the PIAC of the Escuela Superior (Ground Floor) offers a list, although it is incomplete and in Valenciano. I were told that the best quarter to live is between Calle Herrero and Avenida Casalduch. There you have a bus going from Ronda Mijares.

Depending on where you buy, products are more or less affordable. The best option to buy is Mercadona or, if you require more variety, Carrefour o Alcampo, but they are a bit more expensive. If you live in a shared appartment, watch out that all pay the same, to prevent that they make you pay more. To open a bank account you have to possess a Número de identificación del extranjero (NIE), to be gotten in the police office (Ronda Magdalena). In certain banks (e.g. Bancaja), the card they give you incorporates the Carnet Jove (paying a bit extra). Having it, you pay less for the cinema and the train, e.g. The train is cheaper (- 20%) if you acquire ida y vuelta.

The Spanish spoken in this part of the country is quite understandable. But almost everything in the University is in Valenciano (the lessons, fortunately, not), for example the main web pages, although in most cases exists a Spanish version. The people, depending on where they come from, do also speak mainly Valenciano. If you know Spanish and French or Italian, it is possible to understand it quite well after a time.