Type of housing:
Apartment/House

Arranged by:
Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose:
Apartment/House
Why? Almost all the people I've met here living in families have regrets about doing so. Living on your own at a Spanish piso with roommates is so much better than having to explain everything to a Spanish family.

Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Nightlife take/s place mostly outside the university/student environment

Travel, Activities take/s place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Course recommendations:
I'm studying English philology (linguistics and literature) here at Complutense. Officially, all the courses are supposed to be in English, but in practise it takes a while and a lot of running around the first week to find out which courses are actually in English and which aren't. Still, I found excellent courses from excellent professors in English.

The language of instruction was:
English

My proficiency in the language of instruction:
before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
after: At ease in most situations

Learning the language of instruction was a factor in choosing my host country

The local language was:
Different than language of instruction

My proficiency in the local language:
before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
after: At ease in most situations

Learning the local language was a factor in choosing my host country

Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:
Family
Government assistance

Work opportunities
I didn't explore any work options.

Personal spending habits:
Especially the housing here is incredibly more expensive than in Belgium. It's ridiculous how much things cost over here. Most apartments are small and not luxurious.

I wish I had known ...
Don't worry! Things are going to be fine! The administrative hassle people talk about is also non-existent!

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!