Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)

Don't get depressed if you don't understand everything in your first couple of classes or when talking to the locals; Spanish people tend to talk very fast. After a couple of weeks you will get along without a problem, if you make sure that you stay in contact with the Spanish. (Therefore, moving into shared housing with students who speak your first language, would not be a good idea!)

Make sure you travel lots. You have too see the mediterranean coast as well as (at least!) Madrid and Barcelona. If you really want to learn Spanish, go for a year; half a year is not enough and you'd miss out on most of the fun!

Get a credit card. Most places take them.

You have to see Valencia's "barrio Carmen", where you can find lots of bars and cafes and dance clubs. If interested in sports, attending a soccer game at the Mestalla stadium (Valencia CF) is a must. After the game, go to one of the bars that are spread throughout the city. Nightlife starts at around 12. Favorite places: "Woodstock", "Warhol" some places on the Avda. de Aragon. To hang out, swim and play beach volleyball, go to the main beach. If you can, make sure to be there in March for the "Fallas", the greatest festival I have ever been to!

The university tries to arrange accomodations for foreign students even before you actually go there. Various options are offered (on-campus housing, shared accomodation etc.). If you don't have a place to stay when you get there, you can go to a youth hostel first. After that you'll have no problems to find a place because people always look for others to share a place with.