Valencia, third largest city in Spain, is a surprising and student city with all the advantages of a big city, without the disadvantages. Its beautiful squares and cathedrals, its monuments (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias), its popular festivals (Las Fallas), its pleasant climate, its gardens (Jardines del Turia), … The ideal Erasmus city ?
Finding a place
Scary for any Erasmus student, finding a nice place to live will be, by far the most complicated task of your whole experience. Once you have it, just enjoy.
Start looking as soon as possible, it will be difficult to find sommething which pleases you if you do it at the last minute. The most used website in Spain is Idealista.com, where you can find apartments and rooms to share.
In which neighborhoods should you live ?
Many international students live in Blasco Ibáñez, an affordable long avenue that you will hear a lot about, near the UPV and UV universities.
The city is very safe, you will have the opportunity to see many police officers, during day and night. You should just avoid to live around Malva-rosa.
Stressed not to find good roommates ?
Personally, I posted a message on the Erasmusu.com website. I wrote that I was looking for roommates to be able to meet them before renting a room or an apartment. The website is quite active, I received several responses from people with whom I shared a room and/or kept in touch with.
The university
The two largest universities, “Universidad de València” (UV) and “Universidad Politécnica de València” (UPV), enjoy a great recognition and reputation, which is reflected in excellent positions in national and international rankings.
Universidad Politécnica de València : ( go to the website )
The environment there is friendly with a very international atmosphere. The campus has everything you need: bakeries, restaurants, libraries, labs, and more.
Universitat Politècnica de València - Photo by Miriam Bouiali on levante-emv.com
The teachers, according to students :
Friendly and ready to help, if there is something you don’t understand, teachers will explain it to you without any problem.
Downside: the English level of some of them is extremely low, so prioritize Spanish as much as possible. For your semester to be smooth, inform the teacher that you are an Erasmus student if you don’t feel comfortable with the language of the country. They will pay more attention, making you feel comfortable and will offer, if desired, the possibility to write your exam’s answers in English. Otherwise, if you have difficulties, courses are also given in English.
I found the courses much more theoretical than in France. This observation was shared by other students. In my case, in IT, I found the courses less qualitative and up-to-date than in France.
Language requirements
I thought I would improve my Spanish skills by interacting with locals, but since there were so many Erasmus students, I ended up speaking English for the majority of my stay. Additionally, most Spanish students don’t mix much with foreigners because we are just passing through and they have encountered many like us before.
It’s worth noting that many Spaniards speak quickly, very quickly. A B1 level of Spanish may not be sufficient, but you will adapt quickly. Review your basics before arriving, at least to be able to get by in a shop.
If this is a concern for you, you won’t feel out of place because there are many expats and international students in Valencia. However, if you’re looking for a total disconnection, Valencia may not be the right place for you.
An incredible student life
The student life in Valencia is amazing, I’m not even exaggerating. There are plenty of international students in Valencia, so there’s always something to do and people to meet.
The bars and clubs are lively every night of the week, and there are many events organized by the university or the Erasmus associations in the city.
Umbracle - Photo by eventosgruposalamandra.com
One of the first things you should do before heading to Valencia is to join the WhatsApp conversations and follow the Instagram accounts of various groups that organize trips, activities, and parties with free admission for Erasmus students.
Here are a few examples:
The best places and activities
I’ve participated in sooo many memorable activities and events in Valencia that it’s difficult to choose which ones to mention.
To start with the beach, it has a multitude of small and cool restaurants and bars nearby. However, they are more touristy and prices tend to be slightly higher than elsewhere. The Spanish pace of life may encourage you to do everything later, but if you want to enjoy the sunrise on the beach, you’ll need to be an early bird. 😴
The City of Arts and Sciences, on the other hand, is a must-see attraction. It consists of several buildings that have become symbols of the city. It’s a scientific and cultural leisure complex not to be missed, occupying about two kilometers of the old riverbed of the Turia river. The City of Arts and Sciences is one of my favorite places in this city.
A trip to Andalusia, all inclusive, organized by “Happy Erasmus”:
I highly recommend participating in at least one of the trips organized by the Erasmus organizations I mentioned earlier. Among these trips to Portugal, Morocco, Skiing, Ibiza, and more will be announced throughout the stay.
For example, I went to Andalusia with a group of friends I met on site, passing through:
- Córdoba
- Seville
- Malaga
- Granada
Trips are offered at discounted, all-inclusive prices. For this one, the price was around 250 euros for 4 days. Go alone or with others and be guaranteed to meet unforgettable people.
To whet your curiosity even more, here are some photos of activities in Morocco:
Incredible, right?
Restaurants that stand out:
Valencia’s specialty is meat-based Paella. You will find it in many restaurants, try to avoid the “tourist traps”.
Work in progress …
Bars to try with friends:
Before listing the bars to try, know that there is a drink of Valencian origin called “Agua de Valencia”. It is a fairly simple drink made with orange juice that locals will talk to you a lot about.
Bar 270, a rooftop with a view of the City of Sciences!
If you are looking for a good rooftop, you should try Bar 270. You can enjoy the spectacular panorama that the view of the City of Arts and Sciences offers.
Ateneo Sky Bar, a rooftop in the city center.
This bar offers one of the most spectacular views of the city. Located in the heart of the city, you can see everything from the cathedral to the City of Arts and Sciences, definitely worth trying.
St Patrick’s Bar, the ultimate student bar.
If you’re looking for a bar to meet students, mostly Erasmus, St Patrick’s near the universities won’t disappoint. They have an Instagram account where you can find their events: beer pong, blind tests, sports game broadcasts, etc.
The most pleasant clubs:
As mentioned earlier, many clubs offer free entry for Erasmus students through organizations.
Umbracle & Mya
Umbracle is undoubtedly the most popular club in Valencia. Located next to the City of Arts and Sciences, be sure to go there especially during the international “flag tandem” nights, in which everyone will receive a sticker flag of their nationality. The best place to meet new people.
Umbracle - Photo by LumbracleTerrazaOficial on facebook
Umbracle is the outdoor area that you can see in the photo above. It is only open when temperatures are suitable.
On the other hand, Mya is a two-room club located under Umbracle. You will have access to it systematically when you go to Umbracle!
Each space has its own style of music, Umbracle offers more “public-friendly” music. But you won’t escape reggaeton.
Akuarela
Here is the second most coveted club when the weather is suitable. Akuarela has 3 closed rooms and an outdoor space. Like Umbracle, each space has its own mood, you’ll have to try them to make your own opinion.
Akuarela - Photo by buscafiesta.es
Some love it, others criticize it, its location near by the beach will allow you to enjoy a totally different experience from the other clubs. By bike, it is very easy to access thanks to the bike paths that will take you there without detour.
There are many others, but the two mentioned above are the best for me.
El Mercat Central :
One of the largest fresh produce markets in Europe, the Mercat Central de Valencia is located in one of the most emblematic buildings in the city. With a surface area of more than 8,000 square meters, it has hundreds of stalls where fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish and seafood, spices, etc. stand out.
Mercat Central - Photo by visitvalencia.com
The central market, open from Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm, could be a good first destination to discover Spanish gastronomy.
The Zoo BIOPARC :
The park is truly focused on the well-being of animals. It is forbidden to feed them. The barriers of the enclosures are natural like trees, ditches, or rivers for a total immersion.
Excursions around Valencia:
Work in progress …
Sports in Valencia
If you like sports and have a university student card, you can access football, tennis, basketball, or other fields for free in your University facilities.
The Erasmus groups and pages mentioned earlier also regularly organize sports events, including volleyball or free dance classes.
Paddle, a distant cousin of tennis, is very little represented in France but much more in Spain. Remember to try it before to leave the country!
Padel - Photo by casalsport.com
Public transport
To get to and leave Valence, Ryanair offers flights from Paris for as little as 20 euros. Book in advance, use online comparators, and pay on the official airline websites. ( don’t know for other destinations )
Once in Valence, everyone gets around by bike. Numerous bike stations are located throughout the city, and the Valenbisi app allows you to unlock a bike, check the number of available bikes and free spaces at a station. The subscription costs only around twenty euros per year, making it an ideal way to get around Valence on the many cycle paths that crisscross the city.
Parking Valenbisi
Alternatively, there is a transport card that can be used for buses, trams, and metros at an affordable price. They serve the city relatively well, allowing you to cross it in no time.
Taxis are also a highly sought-after means of transport. There is no Uber, but you can use the app, although you will only find local taxis, and additional fees will be charged. The easiest and most economical option is to make a sign to them or use another app such as Free Now.
Financial support
To make this experience accessible to everyone, numerous aids are available. Here are the ones I am aware of:
Erasmus+ for Europeans:
The conditions vary from country to country. Therefore, the amount of the Erasmus financial support to study in Valence depends on the country of origin of each student. You can receive between 200 and 500 euros. Anyone residing in Europe can apply.
Offered by regions:
This one exists in France and could also in your country. Be sure not to pass by such an opportunity.
By your institution:
Certain universities or schools may provide financial aid under certain conditions. Do not hesitate to contact the international relations office of your school.
Conclusion
València is a fantastic destination for an Erasmus program. There is so much to see and do in this city.
Furthermore, the University of València offers numerous opportunities for research and professional development. If you are interested in learning Spanish, the Spanish culture, discovering Spain, or meeting many international students, then Valence is the perfect choice!
Everyone comes back to Valence.
If you have any questions or suggestions for additions/modifications, do not hesitate to contact me on my Instagram (click here). I will try to answer ASAP.