117 reviews
4.23 / 5 based on 117 reviews
Useful |
1
Ximo
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I'd choose the same, because living with other host country's students helps to improve the language and the knowlodge about the host country's costums.
Read more >
Personal comments
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.
Read more >
Useful |
0
Ximo
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
Read more >
Travel, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
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.
Read more >
Useful |
0
Ximo
Academic
Course recommendations
As the system is very different to the German system, it depends on the teacher. German and Italian exchange students use to go to the trade-law lessons, because the teachers are very qualified and the Spanish Trade Law is similar.
Read more >
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
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
Useful |
0
Ximo
Overall
I wish I had known...
I don't think there's anything that would have made a difference. I like Castellón very much, although it relatively small city.
Read more >
In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The worst feature is, in my opinion, the Oficina Técnica de Cooperación Internacional, because they do not really help you much. In exam periods, the library becames small (try to get the books you need to study before exam period). I liked the building very much, because it is of recent construction. So, most facilities are new.
Read more >
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
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.
Read more >
Useful |
0
Ximo
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings<br>
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Most products and accommodation is much cheaper than in Germany.
Read more >
Nightlife, Housing, Overall, Food, Travel, Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
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.
Read more >
Useful |
1
Ximo
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: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
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.
Read more >
en 
English
Español
Français