STUDY ABROAD
IN VALENCIA, SPAIN
MARIËT PORS, CITG - UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE VALENCIA (UPV)
MY STUDY
Going abroad is one of the big opportunities
In Valencia I studied at the Universidad
you get when you go to study. For me this
Polictecnica, a technical university. There I
opportunity was there from September 2012
followed courses in Civil Engineering. I
till January 2013, during my master, as I
decided not only to take courses in Geo
decided to follow half a year of free electives
Engineering (my master), but also other
abroad as an Erasmus Student. I chose to go
courses that I was interested in, like
My timetable was a student’s dream; I had
organised by ourselves; we did it all and
to Valencia, Spain. There is a good technical
Construction of Bridges, Arts and Aesthetics
classes from Monday till Thursday and not
we had an awesome time! I also became
university and Spanish is a beautiful and
and Coastal Engineering. All really different
at early mornings. So I could have a good
really good friends with my roommates and
widely spoken language that I really wanted to
from the courses at the TU Delft. All of the
sleep every day and I had long weekends
Spanish mentor. They introduced me to the
learn. I believe the best way you can really
courses contained classes (in Spanish). And
to plan travels or have family and friends
Spanish way of life. I made a trip with one
learn how to speak a language is to visit a
most of them had one or multiple small
over; some of them multiple times like
of them to meet her family and friends and
country where they speak it natively. I lived
exams, an assignment in a group, or both.
my boyfriend!
to “go Spanish”. In just one weekend I
with 3 Spanish girls, they were lovely and
Also some of the courses had excursions with
helped me a lot of getting to know the
questions and tests about what you saw. So
When you go to Valencia as an Erasmus
The Netherlands everything seems, most
Spanish language and culture! Besides my
there were multiple opportunities to get
student you should join the ESN, the
of the time, to be done in a rush. In Spain
roommates I had a so called “mentor”; a
grades, which in the end determined your
Erasmus Student Network. In this way
it’s all so relaxed. Everybody is so kind and
Spanish girl who helped me get around the
final grade. This was a good way for me to
you meet new friends, you can join
open to new people. “Mi casa es tu casa” is
university in the beginning of my stay.
pass all of my courses!
activities and trips for little money and
really typically Spanish.
Which was really helpful!
LEISURE TIME
learned a lot about a whole new culture! In
you will have a lot of fun! During the
introduction weeks, 2 weeks before the
At the university I did all kinds of sports
university starts, I met a lot of nice people
and followed a free Spanish Language
and because everybody does the same
Course for Erasmus Students organised by
things as you, you can become friends
the university. And in Valencia the weather
with all of them! I also became really close
seems to be always nice. So many free
friends with a group of 7 girls. Dinners,
afternoons were spend on the beach, with
movie nights, going out, trips and travels
or without study books...
THE EXPERIENCE
What I learned from studying abroad is
The experience really exceeded my
impossible to say in a couple of words. I
expectations. You are always afraid for
learned about myself, so cliché, but it’s true.
little things, like not making any friends, not
I learned to be on my own and to stand up
learning the language, not finding a room.
for myself. And I learned to speak Spanish!
But in the end, everything ends up all right,
Maybe not fluently yet, but I can make
and most of the times even better!
myself completely clear. And the moment
If you get the opportunity, to go abroad
you can make a joke in Spanish, you know
during your study, go! There are always
TIPS & TRICKS
it’s okay. I think I changed in the way that
doubts, believe me I had them too. And you
•Language; It may sound weird but not everybody speaks English, it’s all Spanish! So
it’s all a bit more Spanish now. My life is
have to arrange a lot. But when you are there,
more relaxed, which is not always helpful in
when the adventure really starts, and the
•Make Spanish friends and try to experience the Spanish culture; live the Spanish life!
The Netherlands. But it changes your way of
world seems to be yours... it’s all worth it.
•Try to make as many trips as you can, because it’s not expensive and you are there
thinking which can be good.
learn some basics before you go. They are really helpful when you try!
already. Spain really is a beautiful country with lots of different views!