How do the courses actually work? What can I do on campus after university? Who can help me if I have problems studying abroad? Where can I find accommodation during my semester abroad? And how do I look good and cheap? All these questions about the everyday life of students arise before embarking on an adventure abroad in Spain. We therefore want to take a closer look at everyday student life.
Lectures in Spain
Courses in the form of lectures, seminars or exercises are of course a very central part of everyday student life in Spain. The overall grade for a course is often determined on the basis of several smaller exams that not only take place at the end of the semester, but also during it. Types of examinations are, for example, written exams or presentations; oral participation is also relevant for the grade. In addition to lectures by the lecturers, the teaching methods also include discussions and group work. In this way, the students can also actively contribute to the courses.
The atmosphere in the courses is often personal and quite relaxed. This is also due to the fact that the lecturers often let the students do themselves.
Campus life in Spain
A large part of everyday student life in Spain takes place on campus. Here the students not only find course rooms and libraries. Various service facilities, cafeterias and sports facilities can also be found on many campuses. So there is more to campus life in Spain than lectures and self-study in the library.
Students can usually also enjoy a variety of leisure activities on campus. For example, you can join clubs such as sports clubs, theater groups or an international club that organizes leisure activities for international students. Events such as stage performances or cinema evenings can also be part of the leisure activities.
Services offered by universities in Spain
At Spanish universities there are various services that are designed to support students in their everyday lives. The International Office takes care of many concerns of international students. In addition, various counseling offers, from academic to professional to psychological counseling, are aimed at university students. Other optional services include an accommodation or IT service as well as a health center and daycare center on campus. In addition, there are often special support offers for students with disabilities. Some Spanish universities also have a so-called buddy program. As part of this program, international students receive student mentors who are on hand to provide them with advice and assistance.
Accommodation for studying in Spain
When studying abroad in Spain, a country that is a member of European Union defined by estatelearning, students of course also need accommodation. There are different accommodation options depending on your taste and budget:
- Student dormitories
- Shared apartments or single apartments
- guest families
The availability of individual accommodations varies depending on the university. The amount of the rent depends on the type of district and the university location. Depending on the type of accommodation, additional costs and meals may already be included in the rental price.
Catering while studying in Spain
There are many options for catering in everyday study life in Spain.
Students will find catering on the campus of their university. There may be a cafeteria there, for example, or larger food courts with various food stalls. Those who live in the student dormitory can also be catered for there. Sometimes it is also possible to cook yourself in the dormitory. This can of course also be done in the kitchen in your own apartment or in a shared apartment. If students live with host families, they are usually provided with meals there as well. It is also common in Spain to go out to eat regularly.
In Spain, meals are usually eaten later than in Germany. Students who want to immerse themselves in typical Spanish everyday life should be prepared for this change.