weitere Erfahrungsberichte für Spanien
Land:
Spanien
Universität:
Universidad de León
Semester und Studiengang:
4. Semester Bachelor International Management
Aufenthalt:
summersemester 2017
Über die Universität:
The city as well as the campus are bigger than in Deggendorf. It is not too big so that it seems very anonymous but it was possible to meet almost all Erasmus students, they all form a big family. For me it had the perfect size. León is very popular amongst exchange students because the university offers a lot for them. But you have to be aware that there is a difference between summer and winter semesters. During the summer semester you will find less Erasmus students in León, though still more than 200. Furthermore the range of courses is a little bit smaller in the summer semester. I was there for a summer semester abroad and enjoyed the combination of a wide range of courses to choose from with the sunny and hot days at the end of my semester.
The courses are in general both easier and different from the courses in Germany. It´s more like the teaching style we are used to at German highschools. That means small classes, more assignments, groupwork… The professors and teaching staff are a lot more informal. Students call their professors by their first names.
Two weeks before the lectures start, the centro de idiomas offers an intensive Spanish course, which is free and a great opportunity to improve your language skills and to get in contact with Erasmus students. This Spanish course also helps to become familiar with the Spanish culture and the city of León.
Betreuung vor Ort:
The staff in the International Office is very nice and helpful. But sometimes everything takes a little bit longer (welcome to Spain :D)
The university in León offers a lot for Erasmus students. The university set itself the objective of being an Erasmus friendly institution, the exchange students should all enjoy their stay. For example they offer a list of courses for Erasmus students which they recommend for them out of experiences.
The student organization called Aegee is comparable to AKI. They offer cheap and organized trips to different cities in Spain and Portugal.
There is an international dinner every week, tandem programmes and a lot of other events. Especially at the beginning you will have a lot of meetings so that the Erasmus students have the chance to get to know each other. All members of Aegee are very nice and help you with every kind of queries or doubts you might have. You can also contact them on facebook.
During the first week an orientation week takes place which is organized by Aegee and the International Office.
Besides the students organization Aegee there is an office called Erasmus León which is located in the city centre. Erasmus León offers a wide variety of activities for Erasmus students like trips within Spain but also to Morocco, Portugal or other cities in Europe. The people working there are very nice and always happy to help and assist.
León is compared to Deggendorf cheaper so that you can find an apartment for less than 200€/month. I paid a little bit more but therefore had the perfect apartment with a perfect location which was only 5 minutes walk from the city centre, and a 15 minutes’ walk from the university. I lived in a great shared apartment where usually Erasmus students live in. Don´t worry too much about finding an apartment before starting your semester. In Spain it is very common to first go to the city and then look there for apartments.
Tipps:
The international office offers a buddy programme, which I can really recommend. Your buddy will help you especially at the beginning with the search for an accommodation, but also with all other kind of doubts. A lot of students became good friends with their buddies. Moreover, the programme offers a great chance to get to know a Spanish student, which is sometimes is not easy because you often stick with the Erasmus students.
After a week of orientation there are two weeks in which you have to register for the courses. Within these two weeks you can try out different courses and speak to the professors about their expectations of the course and how they handle Erasmus students. You can find out their opinion about obligatory attendance, how many exams or assignments you have during the semester... I succeeded in finding only professors which really were a great help for Erasmus students. Sometimes professors’ don´t care that Spanish is not your mother tongue and treat you exactly like Spanish students, what can be a problem if you arrive with a low Spanish level. Consequently, I really recommend to use these two weeks to figure out which courses fit you best. If you have any problems ask your buddy, Aegee or the International Office they are happy to help you.
Last but not least the university offers students to rent a bike for the whole semester. You only pay a 50€ deposit at the beginning and at the end you get it back if you return the bike. But go to the rental place right at the beginning of your stay in Léon because there are not a lot of bikes and the waiting list is long.
In conclusion I really can recommend León for your Erasmus experience. I had an incredible time there and it´s perfect for Erasmus student because of the cheap prices, free tapas (!) and many great offers for Erasmus students.