249 reviews
4.21 / 5 based on 249 reviews

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Sarah J
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Activities, Travel, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
I joined a dance class and played music in the bars, which was the best way for me to meet locals.
There is a student run group, AEGEE, which takes Erasmus students on excursions to other parts of Spain. I also joined the university walking group, which was a great way to see other parts of Asturias.
The nightlife in Oviedo is brilliant during term time but in the summer everyone goes out in Gijon. Plaza del Sol and Calle Mon is where most of the partying happens in Oviedo.
Favourite bars...La Caja Negra, El Gato, Olivar, Masaveu
Favourite cafes...Cafe Julio, Kin
Go to Gascona to try the sidra, Plaza de Paraguas for the cheese boards and Arte Paris for cocktails.
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Sarah J
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I enjoyed the independence and it was a good experience living with other international students.
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Personal comments
The university gave us lists of landlords that we could contact when we arrived in Oviedo, but it would have been useful to have them in advance.
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Sarah J
Overall
I wish I had known...
It would have been useful to have more information about the courses and housing options before arriving.
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
They let me be flexible with my choices and they catered well for foreign students.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Oviedo is a small but vibrant city; the nightlife is lots of fun and there are always concerts, cultural events or exhibitions going on. I loved my time in Asturias; I met lots of lovely people, got involved in the culture and the local music scene and had an all-round fantastic year.
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Sarah J
Academic
Course recommendations
Have a look at the university website before you go and spend the first week trying out many different courses before deciding for definite.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course

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Sarah J
Languages
Language of instruction: Spanish
Was learning Spanish a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Spanish
How much did you improve your Spanish?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
My university courses enabled me to improve my listening skills and learn academic language. Making friends with local people meant that my spoken language skills improved very quickly.
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Sarah J
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
Food, drinks and housing were all cheaper in Asturias than at home.
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Travel:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was the same price as at home.
Telephone, Nightlife, Overall, Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items