UQ Progam: Bachelor of Arts
What can I say about my study abroad experience at La Universidad de Salamanca in Spain apart from the fact that it has been the most exciting, nerve-wracking, enjoyable and worthwhile experience I’ve ever had. Salamanca is a university town, so there are so many students, international and Spanish, that it was so easy to meet people and everyone was very willing to accept newcomers as they had all been in the same situation. I met people from all parts of the world and we experienced so much together that I know they will be my friends for a long time to come.
In the college where I was living I was able to meet lots of people, quickly, but I also met people in classes and friends of friends, everyone seems to know everyone else, it is such a compact city. So compact in fact, that walking is the main (and easiest) form of transport. Though Salamanca is small, there is always something going on, with fiestas (citywide parties, generally meaning shops and uni are shut for an afternoon or the day) every few weeks, faculty parties, live music and performances in Plaza Mayor.
The university itself is amazing, my faculty, philology, was in some of the most beautiful buildings I’ve seen, and just next to the Cathedral, which made for a great learning experience. The classes I took were all enjoyable, and different to Spanish classes from home, which were based mainly around learning the language, the ones in Salamanca meant I was in courses with Spanish (and international) students, learning the language through another form.
However, Spain is a very laidback country, and the university system tends to reflect this. Generally shops close for a few hours for lunch every day, and some are closed all day Sunday. Also, most things start later in the day and finish later, such as cafes not opening till 10am and classes until 9 or 10pm, with a night out starting at midnight through to 6 or 7am.
The laidback culture meant that signing up for courses meant visits to at least two different people for signatures, and then filling out forms to give to each professor, so everything seems to take longer. However my exams ranged from 70%-100% which was a huge shock to what I was used to at home. When exams came around, most students were still unsure of many details, though teachers understand there are a number of exchange students and do their best to help.
Being a student town, Salamanca has a huge party scene, with bars down every street, and people out every night of the week. Tapas bars are generally cheap, or tapas are often free with the purchase of a drink, and clubs sometimes give out free or cheap drinks to entice you in, so going out can be done cheaply.
Salamanca also has a number of buses and trains daily to many different places nearby. With Madrid being about two or so hours away, traveling to other places is so easy. I went on a few day trips to small towns and trips to Portugal and a number of places within Spain and had friends who traveled Europe during their free time.
All in all, I am so happy that I made the decision to study abroad. It has helped my Spanish improve greatly in every aspect, but especially in my confidence using the language. I was able to meet so many amazing people and learn about a culture and country so different to what I’m used to. I would definitely recommend USAL for an exchange because it is such a beautiful city, with a great university and amazing people, also, many people do not speak English, so you really get to practice Spanish in every aspect of daily life.
If I can suggest a few things though, it would be to make sure you’re prepared for all weather, winter can get cold, with snow, and summer is hot and sunny, but it is a very windy city, and can sometimes be rainy. One of my favourite tapas bars is Cervantes, in Plaza Mayor, it has such a nice atmosphere and tapas is free with a drink. Spend some time sitting in the park behind the cathedral, Parque de Calisto y Melibea as it is generally always quiet, and gives a different view of the city and the cathedral itself.