How to study in Spain?

Change your life and go abroad to study

Has the thought ever crossed your mind to drop everything and go away? Do you dream of escaping to the place where the sun is warm all year round? When choosing your studies, combine pleasure with duty and consider universities in Spain. There, our Polish rainy autumns and cold winters can remain just a memory. The country allows students from all over the world to experience the wonderful adventure of studying abroad. Universities in Spain are eager to welcome foreign students. One of their most popular universities is the one in beautiful Granada. It is the city located in the Andalusia region. Is it worth studying abroad and why do students love Granada?

Advantages of studying abroad

Firstly, let’s analyse the benefits of studying in another country. First of all, it is the great opportunity to learn foreign languages. By studying abroad, you have the opportunity to engage in daily conversations with native speakers. As a result, you learn new vocabulary at the faster pace. In addition, you also increase your fluency of speech and improve your accent.

If you want to learn more about studying in Italy or China, we recommend our other articles connected with topic on studying aboad in our blog. In the meantime, let’s focus on Spain.

Spanish is the official language in Spain and almost all of South America. The exception is Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken. Spanish is one of the two languages spoken by the highest number of people in the world. At the top of the list is, of course, English. Spanish is not the only language spoken in Spain. Some provinces have the second official language e.g. Catalonia – Catalan, Basque Country – Basque, Galicia – Galician. In Granada, Spanish, also known as Castilian, is the predominant language. For this reason, many international students choose to study in Spain when considering university.

Through such a trip, you will have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and your general outlook on society. In addition, you will learn about the different culture, traditions and customs. You may even see your own culture from the different perspective. In Granada, for example, Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Roma cultures intermingle, which is why it is so diverse and unique. You will visit new places in your free time.

Jakie dokumenty należy przetłumaczyć, żeby studiować za granicą?

Many documents will need to be translated in order to study abroad. The main documents required by the foreign university will be the translation of your school-leaving certificate and birth certificate. In some cases, translations of documents such as Income Certificates may also be required. Be sure to check whether you will need to have your documents legalised and read the article ‘How to get documents legalised in Poland’.

Find out how much the translation of individual documents will cost you. To do this, click on the buttons below and search for the country in which you want to study.

If your country is not on the list, you can go directly to the contact form and send us the photo or scan of the document to get free quotation.

Universities in Spain - Granada

Above all, take advantage of every free moment to have new experiences that you will tell your loved ones about when you return home. For example, be sure to go to a local market to discover hitherto unknown products, their tastes and smells.

Visiting nearby towns and discovering their secrets is certainly an exciting activity too. However, the most enjoyable is the local gastronomy. You must taste the delicious dishes of Andalusian cuisine. One of the specialities of Grenadian gastronomy is fried broad beans with ham, chorizo, garlic and onions. Also, when choosing the establishment where you will eat, do not forget to check the cleanliness of the floor. No, I’m not joking. In Spain, the amount of papers and crumbs on the floor is the testimony to the excellence of the premises.

Studying in Spain - Sevilla

If you’re dreaming of a trip to Spain in autumn or spring, Seville is a great option! We recommend the opportunity to brush up on your Spanish by going to ISTRAD University. This acronym stands for Instituto Superior de Estudios Lingüísticos y Traducción (Higher Institute of Linguistic and Translation Studies).

At ISTRAD, you will be in contact with PROstudent lecturers, which will make your stay in sunny Seville even more enjoyable. Thanks to the amazing atmosphere at the university, you will immediately feel at home in Seville! The warm character of the Spaniards will quickly make you acquaintances and even lifelong friends.

In terms of study, the university offers Master’s studies that last year and will help you develop, for example, in audiovisual translation, specialised translation, cultural accessibility or creating localisation for video games. In addition, there is the possibility to take online courses, such as the course in telephone interpreting or terminology management.

And after your studies, you can enjoy Seville in winter, for example, when it is cold in Poland and you have no energy for anything. In this beautiful city you can see a mix of influences, especially you can notice the influence of Christianity and Islam in the architecture. The Islamic influence can be seen, for example, in the Alkazar – the Royal Palace.

If you decide to study in the spring, you may be able to catch Easter in Seville. Holy Week is one of the most important events that takes place in Seville. If you’re there, it’s worthwhile for you to see the processions that are organised then.

Also, you can enjoy delicious dishes there at good prices. It is worth trying different tapas to discover Spanish gastronomy perfectly. Be sure to try gazpacho andaluz, Spanish cold soup!

More advantages of studying abroad

Making lasting relationships while abroad is another benefit of studying in another country. Studying in Spain gives you the opportunity to meet people of other nationalities, which could prove useful in the future. Try to spend as much time as possible with locals and practise speaking Spanish. For example, suggest exploring the city together or going to a bar together. This will give you the opportunity to get to places you won’t find in a guidebook and try tried-and-tested Spanish food. In addition, postpone being in the company of your compatriots until you return to Poland; after all, you have that every day.

What’s more, studying abroad is your ‘ticket’ to the international job market. The certificate of study abroad will certainly impress any recruiter. Knowledge of foreign languages is always welcome, and is often one of the requirements to meet.

What universities in Spain are like

Universities in Spain and the courses they offer are the experience of a very different way of learning than in Poland. Each country has its own educational systems, grading criteria and ways of communicating between students and teachers. One example is the grading scale from 1 to 10, which is used in universities and secondary schools. A five is one of the two highest grades in the Polish grading system. Meanwhile, when it comes to universities in Spain, a five is the lowest passing grade.

In addition, universities in Spain are richer and therefore better equipped. Educational institutions are more open to modern technology. Classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards. Students use laptops and the school provides them with modern software. What’s more, compared to Polish schools, Spanish schools have a lot more of the practical classes that students love so much. Some of the differences may be small and insignificant, but the mere fact of a change of environment and leaving the daily routine behind will make learning more enjoyable.

Why Spain?

Firstly, Spain is famous for its widely developed university network. The best universities in Spain are located in Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and Valencia. Their great advantage is the diverse range of courses on offer. The cost of education is quite low compared to other European countries.

Moreover, Spain is a very diverse country. There is something for everyone. My heart was stolen by Granada. There is even the Spanish proverb which says that ‘he who has not seen Granada has not seen anything’. I agree with the author of these words, because this place is magnificent in every way.

In addition, architecture lovers will have the opportunity to experience the architecture of the period of coexistence of three cultures: Christian, Muslim and Jewish. In other words, this cultural mix has made it an extremely attractive tourist destination. Any architecture enthusiast will fall in love with the picturesque Alhambra Palace, situated on a hilltop. It is one of the most interesting and mysterious places in Andalusia. Its name ‘Alhambra’ is the mystery. Some believe that it refers to the colour of the bricks from which the palace was built. ‘Alhambra’ means ‘red’ in Arabic. Others are convinced that the palace was built by the light of torches, which gave the red colour to these walls.

Universities in Spain - learn about the art

Firstly, Spain is the perfect place for those interested in the art. It is the country where great artists such as Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso or Francisco de Goya, for example, grew up. It is up to Spain that they owe their worldwide fame. The San de Juan de Dios Museum in Granada, is considered the most important museum of its kind in the whole Andalusia. It houses many works of art characteristic of Spanish painting, as well as objects such as furniture or porcelain typical of Granada.

An entrance ticket to this museum costs just EUR 3 ( USD 3,12).

The Museum of Fine Arts is also worth a visit to discover art that is typical of Granada. This museum houses numerous paintings and sculptures. Most of them are works on religious themes. In addition, there is also the library specialising in paintings and sculpture of different periods. Students and citizens of the European Union can enter this museum for free.

Universities in Spain - there is something for everyone

What’s more, every dance enthusiast should see the flamenco show at Albaci’n. Flamenco is not only about dancing, it is also about singing and playing the guitar. There are many venues in Granada where flamenco shows are held. These include elegant restaurants and neighbourhood bars. Flamenco shows, usually start late in the evening and often last until dawn.

On the other hand, if you have the soul of a sportsman, you will have the opportunity to try your hand at playing cricket. This is a popular sport in Granada. When you feel like swimming, be sure to go to the Spanish-Arab baths located in the centre of Granada. There are as many as 7 pools in these baths.

In addition, Granada’s varied landscape allows you to be active in many ways. The mountains are dominated by sports such as golf, paragliding, climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The presence of rivers enables sports such as canyoning, which is the crossing of rapid rivers and canyons, rafting and canoeing. In the marshy areas of the Granada coast, you can go diving and windsurfing.

Staying in Spain - formalities

First of all, if you would like to go to Spain to study, do an unpaid internship or student exchange, you must obtain a visa, which is the necessary permit to stay in Spain. Poland is part of the Schengen area, so citizens of our country are not required to have one, as long as their stay in Spain does not exceed 90 days. It is sufficient that you have a valid passport or Identity Card.

However, if you want to stay in Spain for longer than 3 months you must obtain confirmation of the right of residence on Spanish territory. This type of matter is dealt with at the local office. For a stay of more than 6 months, you are required to apply for the Foreign Student Card. You must submit this application no later than 30 days after your arrival in Spain.

Studying in Spain - cost of living and accommodation

Interestingly, going to study in Spain is quite cheap compared to other European countries such as France or Switzerland, for example. Just like in Poland, of course it all depends on two factors: the city you decide to stay in and the lifestyle you lead. The average is around EUR 1000 (USD 104,08) per month. This sum is close to the national average of overall Polish earnings. At the same time, it is double the lowest national average of around EUR 500 (USD 520, 40). Many people will find this to be quite an expense.

First of all, it is worth knowing how to minimise the costs of such a trip. The basic issue is accommodation. Most students start their search by looking at student halls of residence and student dormitories. This type of accommodation is the most expensive option. Renting a flat in the city will be a smaller expense.

However, the best way is to take advantage of the student exchange programme. This is a way to get free accommodation. This way you live in the house of a Spanish family and do not pay rent.

Studying in Spain - cost: what types of scholarships are there?

There are many Spanish institutions that financially support foreign students. Each of them has distinct requirements that you need to meet. One such institution is the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Moreover, most of the scholarships they offer are awarded to foreigners legally residing in Spain.

Erasmus+

For example, one way for a student to receive financial assistance is to join the EU’s Erasmus+ programme. This programme allows students to study at the foreign university for up to 12 months. Erasmus offers Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Thanks to Erasmus, you have the chance to gain the education at international universities. The degree you obtain will certainly open the door to the foreign job market.

You can also do the work placement abroad as part of this programme. More details can be found on the official Erasmus+ website. Click here: https://erasmusplus.org.pl/

MAEC-AECID

Another scholarship programme is the MAEC-AECID programme. It covers study in the fields of arts, education and culture. The sponsor of this programme is the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. This agency covers the costs of accommodation, food costs and non-pharmaceutical medical insurance. These scholarships are intended for foreign nationals between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of registration. The second condition is the higher degree or the recognised career in the specific field.

Santander Universidades

Alternatively, the Santander Universidades Group can be used. This is the company that is considered the most invested in the education of young people. This is certainly because, in addition to funding scholarships, it offers various types of internships, apprenticeships and courses to help graduates get their dream job. Do you want to know more? Click here: https://www.santander.pl/santander-universidades .

For more information on scholarships, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain or directly the university you are interested in.

Is the Spanish job market open to foreigners?

Yes. There are many foreigners working in Spain. Unfortunately, they often encounter difficulties in finding work. As a result of the economic crisis, the unemployment rate in Spain is one of the highest in Europe.

However, this does not mean that it is impossible to find a job in this country. Moreover, as an EU citizen, you do not need the work permit. All you need to do is obtain the NIE Number [https://polacos.pl/numer-nie/] (Foreigner Identification Number) and register with the tax authorities.

Most employers require Spanish language skills. If you want to get a higher-level job, an advanced level of Spanish will be essential. However, there are also some jobs where you only need to know English. Typically, these are job opportunities related to teaching English and in the tourism and real estate sectors.

Meanwhile, during the spring and summer season, there is an increasing demand from employers in agriculture and tourism. Therefore, workers for fruit and vegetable harvesting, waiters, bartenders, cooks, receptionists and maids are in demand. Spain also needs people to clean the streets and pick up rubbish. As in Poland, native inhabitants are reluctant to take on this type of work.

Are you looking for a job in one of the European countries? Click here: https://ec.europa.eu/.

If you want to know more about working in Spain, click on this link: https://praca.studentnews.pl/.

In summary

In summary, you should take the opportunity and experience going to study in hot Spain. This exciting adventure will not only enrich your language skills.

It will broaden your knowledge of another culture. It will enable you to meet wonderful people, thus improving your communication and social skills. In addition, gaining foreign contacts can secure you the place on the international job market. Don’t miss the opportunity, act!

Written by: Daria Jesiotr and Justyna Kubiak
Online Sources:

https://europeanidiomas.com/

http://www.exteriores.gob.es/

https://www.aecid.es/