Every year, thousands of French students wish to pursue their studies in a foreign country, and for the fifth year running, the Erasmus Spain program is the most popular, ahead of Italy, Germany and the UK.
To facilitate their stay, students join the Erasmus program and, depending on their financial situation, receive a scholarship to finance their university project.
But the administrative steps involved in obtaining the financial and logistical support of the Erasmus program require a certain amount of preparation. You need to know exactly which university course to choose, and above all you need to choose the Spanish city that suits you best.
In this article, we take a quick look at the most popular Spanish cities for Erasmus students. You’ll see that the destination of your future stay in Spain is a decisive choice for the success of your university course abroad.
When it comes to preparing for your stay in Spain as part of an Erasmus program, most students will consider that the most important thing is to select a university course that is consistent with your background, and then the choice of city will come second.
It may seem logical at first sight, but studying in Spain is also an opportunity to open up to another culture and to discover a working environment that’s different from what you might experience in France.
That’s why we suggest you start your project by deciding which Spanish city you’d like to live in during your internship or university year in Spain.
Studying in an attractive and dynamic Spanish city can boost your career opportunities considerably and enhance your Erasmus experience.
However, there are so many possible regions, cities and destinations in Spain that the choice can be really difficult. To help you make up your mind, here are a few tips on how to choose the right city in Spain for you.
In the various opinion surveys carried out among Erasmus students, several criteria have been identified as determining the final choice of a city in Spain:
As we’ve just explained, choosing the city in which you’re going to spend a year at university or for your internship will have a major impact on the quality of your project.
According to a study conducted by Uniplaces, an organization that helps students find accommodation in Spain, the most popular cities for European students are :
Madrid is Spain’s capital city and a favorite with Erasmus students.
Those who studied in Madrid and were interviewed at the end of their stay spoke of Madrid as a dynamic city with easy access to culture and an international dimension.
The Spanish capital is therefore perceived as a friendly city, with excellent public transport links, cultural offerings that are very accessible to students, and a high level of safety and gastronomy.
The most popular university is Madrid’s Complutense.
Seville, the Andalusian capital, is also a popular choice for students, who appreciate the quality of life, the many cultural events typical of Spain (the Feria de Abril) and a university environment conducive to success.
Barcelona, the Catalan capital, is the third best-rated Spanish city among students.
Those questioned appreciate the cultural richness, the idyllic setting of beaches and water sports facilities, the preservation of flora and fauna, the low cost of living compared to the quality of services on offer, and so on.
Students generally enter the Polytechnic University of Catalonia or the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Cadiz and Salamanca close the list of Spain’s most popular cities, with their carnivals of particular interest.
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