Type of housing:
Colegio Mayor

Arranged by:
Independently - I had no other choice

If returning, I would choose:
Mixed Colegio Mayor
Why? Private residences in Spain are great because they tend to be 99% Spanish kids, with lots of activities organised there is every opportunity to integrate and make a lot of Spanish friends. On the down side they love to know everyone's stories and living in a single sex residence is not cool. Find a mixed Colegio Mayor are you are laughing. Isabel La Catolica looks good mixed. Spanish are a lot of fun - the Andaluz boys would play guitar and sing flamenco at all our barbeque parties I loved it.

Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city

Activities, Nightlife take/s place mostly within the university/student environment

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

Course recommendations:
Mine was a special case - I had a single research project to do and co-ordinated a lot with my tutor. Other students got very little support. When you first arrive go to the International Students Office or you won't get spanish classes until Spring. There is a big book of electives which is funky but you need to arrive a week early to organise yourself. I'm talking hour long queues for everything.

The language of instruction was:
Spanish

My proficiency in the language of instruction:
before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

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

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities
I didn't want/need to work.

Personal spending habits:
Spain is half the price of UK. The copas are huge and so cheap! The food (Pata negra hmmmmm) is so good, especially pork but all fruit and veg is the best. Clubs cheap too, can be too full cos numbers rarely counted. In spring can drink in park making things cheaper. Vegetarians are going to be frustrated with the food here.

I wish I had known ...
Its worth taking some lessons in dance here, the flamenco schools et cetera are famous throughout the world here it is not a resource to consider idley. In Spain if you are afraid to stick your neck out you can really lose out. There are mountain walks, camping trips etc which are great - the nature here is so beautiful. A visit to the Alpujarra should be on your list - the next Dalai Lama was located at a temple there. Yoga/Meditation sessions there, a little pricey but you will meet some Spanish celebrities! These kids are used to taking the initiative and organising things together, Spanish friends are very important.

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