What's the best advice you have for a 19 year-old female student studying abroad in Spain? Any specific place?
What is the social scene like, how are foreigners respected, and to what extent can one generalize Spanish men?
Other - Spain - 3 Answers
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1 :
I suppose it depends where you are from, but here goes...I was 19 when I arrived, turned 20 a month later. Go to classes, and learn all the Spanish you possibly can! Don't forget that most of what you learn will be learned "en la calle", so GO OUT!!! Enjoy EVERYTHING you can! TAKE LOOOOOOOOTS of money with you for traveling. Or, better yet, keep it in an account at home, with a debit card, and make sure that you can use that debit card without charges in the ATMs. (but know that they take out 1 - 3% for doing the exchange...you pay that fee no matter how you change your money. Disfruta ¡¡¡¡¡DE TODO!!!!! Take advantage of EVERYTHING that comes your way (use ordinary caution). If you get invited to spend the day at someone's finca, GO. Go to EVERY festival you possibly can. Yes, splurge and get that flamenco dress to use while you are there. Buy TONS of souvenirs...buy real handcrafts...make sure it isn't made in China. AND TAKE PHOTOS OF EVERYTHING!!! The one thing I REALLY regret is that film cost a lot, and it cost a lot to develop, so I was very frugal with my photos...I don't have photos of the places I lived in from the outside...so going back, it was difficult to locate them. If I don't have a photo of it, I don't really remember...in fact, there are many things I don't remember correctly, because I didn't write enough down! Or I found letters a few years ago, and I told my mom an ENTIRELY different story than I remember! Of course, some of that is that I didn't tell my Mom the whole truth...she would have worried! ;) Generalize the men? They are REALLY good looking, if you like the dark, sort of brooding, Antonio Banderas type. (I lived in the South) BUT! don't discount the whole Machismo thing...cause they CAN be very dominating, in a way that most other women don't really like. In my group of something like 150 people, almost all women...I was the only one I knew who went home NOT engaged! (I only know one who actually married the guy, and I'm not entirely sure she is still married to him.) I lived in Sevilla, and I can give you pointers, if you want...but wherever you go, you are bound to think of the place as a second home...it will live in your heart as "home" forever.
2 :
Depends on your current culture. If you are American then I can tell you that in general, Spain is much safer. If you are in a large city like Madrid or Barcelona that is different. If you are going to study here in Spain, I would suggest living with a family. You will learn the language, culture and they will help you know what areas should be avoided and the customs. They will accept you as if you are their own child,,, even introduce you to their friends. Spanish men,,, they are as vastly different here as anywhere and I would caution on generalizing because it is just impossible. Have fun!
3 :
All these things vary depending on where in Spain you are studying. All throughout major cities in Spain the social scene is awesome... clubs are open late, bars open late, most places cater to american students (especially in Barcelona and Madrid). I studied in Barcelona but traveled all over Spain. Barcelona is awesome, especially for the social life. Unless you do student exchanges through your school (meeting up with a local to learn the language... which can often be more like a blind date....) most of the men are sort of sleazy. But the other students are nice local Spanish guys. Foreigners are respected but often stolen from. Just be smart, like in any big city. If I could go back and do it again, I would go to Granada. It is smaller, cheaper, younger, and more "hippy". Seville is also a beautiful alternative. Both have a great social scene without being so overwhelming. HAVE FUN
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
What to do about an expired student visa in Spain?
What to do about an expired student visa in Spain?
I am an American student studying in Spain. I arrived on August 31 with a student visa valid until February 28 and my original plan was to stay only until mid January. My plans recently changed, however, and I decided to continue studying here for another semester. My flight home is June 5. It is my understanding that if I had left the Schengen countries before the visa expired and re-entered Spain I would have an extra 3 months as a tourist. I plan on going either to London or Gibraltar within the next couple of weeks in order to attain these extra 3 months, but am wondering what will happen when I go and my visa is expired. Will it be noticed? and if so is there a fine, or is it something more serious? As another option, would it be better just to not do anything about it? I have a trip planed to Greece, in early May. Since it is a Schengen country, would I have a problem leaving/returning to Spain? Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks a lot!!!
Other - Spain - 2 Answers
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1 :
you have to renew your VISA before to travel
2 :
Hi I would recomend you not to do anything. Or go to a non schengen country that is not far and is easy to come in out from Spain like Andorra. Burt as your visa already expired check here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_treaty These countryes bellow are non-signatories of the treaty San Marino, although not formally part of the Schengen zone, has an open border with Italy (although some random checks are made by Carabinieri, Polizia di San Marino and Guardia di Finanza). Monaco, which borders onto the Mediterranean Sea: The Schengen Agreement is administered as if Monaco were a part of France, with French authorities carrying out the Schengen checks at Monaco's sea port. Liechtenstein is not yet part of the Schengen area; it has an open border with Switzerland (which has not yet implemented the agreement) but border controls are still carried out between it and its Austrian EU-neighbour. As part of the European Economic Area (EEA) it applies the Traditional Free Movement of Persons acquis of the European Community; Liechtenstein intends to adhere to the Schengen area and it applied to join in the autumn of 2005. The EU Council of Ministers gave their assent to the start of the negotiations in late February 2006. It is expected to be implemented by Liechtenstein in 2008. [5] Vatican City has expressed a desire to join Schengen. It already has an open border with Italy, but enforcing the Schengen Agreement will allow for closer cooperation in information sharing and similar activities covered by the Schengen Information System.[6] Andorra is not integrated into the Schengen zone and border controls remain. Usually non-EU nationals holding a valid Schengen visa are allowed to enter Andorra from France/Spain by road without any passport control at the border. Check it out and decide. Usually once in a Schengen country they do not check in customs so instead of showing passport show can try showing other kind of ID for the plain tickets check, done by airhostesses of the aircompany Gluck Sf.
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Monday, February 7, 2011
which city of Spain in better for international student?
which city of Spain in better for international student?
Hi there I plan to go Spain for continue my education in PhD ,I wanna to know Madrid is better or Barcelona for international student. I heard Spain's people just speak Spanish , in my mind Barcelona be cause of tourist maybe they can speak English as well,So what's your idea? which university you offer to me for continue my PhD in Computer. and how is finding job there? are they happy people?(are they friendly people?)
Studying Abroad - 1 Answers
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1 :
In Barcelona (and rest of Catalonia), Catalan is an official language (Spanish is the other official one) and all education, including university, is held in Catalan only. Catalan is a separate language, more similar to French, whereas Spanish is more similar to Portuguese than Catalan is. I'm from Barcelona and Catalan speaker, so this is absolutely normal for me, but you should be aware of that. However, I know that in some private universities there are also lessons held in English. If your aim is to learn Spanish, apart from getting your degree in computer science, I think it will be better for you to go to Madrid. Yes, we are happy people in Barcelona, and they are in Madrid, too.
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011
What is living in Seville, Spain like for a student?
What is living in Seville, Spain like for a student?
I am a Spanish major and I am weighing my study abroad options. I can do a 9 week program in Quito, Ecuador for about $6000 and take three courses, or I can do a 9 week program in Seville and also take three courses (or I can take 2 courses in 6 weeks for $6000). What is living in Seville like?
Other - Spain - 4 Answers
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1 :
da BOMB!!! Ummm. But you want to spend a lot longer than 6 weeks! You need at least 6 MONTHS to learn the language. In 6 weeks, you still won't be able to understand what they are saying to you. Especially if you're a Spanish MAJOR!
2 :
Seville is a fun place. The city is about as typically Spanish as you can get, Bullfights, Holy week, Feria and Flamenco. Great nights out. I have not been to Quito but have friends who worked there. It is third world.
3 :
You didn't say what time of the year- because if it is summer (in Sevilla), it will SUCK!! big time! it is so dang hot that you will wither away. Any other time of year, it is fantastic!
4 :
My parents live in Sevilla, and it is SUCH a fun city. I live in Barcelona, but I visit them all the time, because Sevilla has such a different atmosphere, it's an amazing city, and I would recommend it way before Quito. You will never run out of things to do in Sevilla, and you will never meet people who are nicer or more fun to be around (I can say this, I have lived all around Spain, I know.) You have to go to at least one bullfight, it's a classic Sevillan experience. You also have to take in at least one flamenco show. Sevilla is the place to go for flamenco, no one does it better. Sevilla is also very, very beautiful.
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I am a Spanish major and I am weighing my study abroad options. I can do a 9 week program in Quito, Ecuador for about $6000 and take three courses, or I can do a 9 week program in Seville and also take three courses (or I can take 2 courses in 6 weeks for $6000). What is living in Seville like?
Other - Spain - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
da BOMB!!! Ummm. But you want to spend a lot longer than 6 weeks! You need at least 6 MONTHS to learn the language. In 6 weeks, you still won't be able to understand what they are saying to you. Especially if you're a Spanish MAJOR!
2 :
Seville is a fun place. The city is about as typically Spanish as you can get, Bullfights, Holy week, Feria and Flamenco. Great nights out. I have not been to Quito but have friends who worked there. It is third world.
3 :
You didn't say what time of the year- because if it is summer (in Sevilla), it will SUCK!! big time! it is so dang hot that you will wither away. Any other time of year, it is fantastic!
4 :
My parents live in Sevilla, and it is SUCH a fun city. I live in Barcelona, but I visit them all the time, because Sevilla has such a different atmosphere, it's an amazing city, and I would recommend it way before Quito. You will never run out of things to do in Sevilla, and you will never meet people who are nicer or more fun to be around (I can say this, I have lived all around Spain, I know.) You have to go to at least one bullfight, it's a classic Sevillan experience. You also have to take in at least one flamenco show. Sevilla is the place to go for flamenco, no one does it better. Sevilla is also very, very beautiful.
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