HUELVA & SPAIN are so different 

I have chosen this University, probably from the same reasons that everyone else before me did – nice weather, location close to the beach and the ocean and to improve my knowledge of Spanish. As a student on a Master program, I also didn’t have lot of options, if I am honest. So Huelva was the only logical selection for me (as Master students, you can go to following Universities: University of Split, University of Tartu, Universidade De Lisboa, University of Huelva in Alma Mater Studiorum - Universita di Bologna.) Furthermore, because I already did my first Erasmus in the first cycle in Lisbon (in the year 2013) I know what to expect before the mobility – a lot of paper work, writing emails, communicating, etc. But everything is more than worth it! Also, I have been to South of Spain one year before – me and my family had a road trip from Malaga to Sevilla, so I knew, that life there ... is different. 

And … it was! Spanish … is not Spanish in fact, but Andalus! No one speaks English, nor understands English (the professors at the faculties as well, in general). There is no free Wi-Fi in public places. And did I mention no one understands English? I was lucky, I found my flat before arriving there (you can hire a flat on Huelva Housing, but then you will live just with Erasmus students, so I preferred living with Spanish ones, so I would be forced to practice Spanish and actually learn their culture). I contacted one Spanish girl via the Facebook page (Erasmus Huelva 2015/2016), where lots of people are sharing things ... so, the first month was quite hard. And I didn’t expect that! Because when I did my Erasmus in Lisbon, I felt like home after the first day. And Huelva I must admit felt like home ... after more than one month! But now – I don’t want to leave it! Why? First, definitely because of the language. At the faculty, you can choose English classes ... but in fact, English ... is Spanish English. But everyone is SO nice ... and willing to help. Also, it really depends on the professors, what they demand from you – some classes are obligatory, others are not, normally there were presentations and at the end written exams. But this really depends on the class, you are taking. And the favorite statement of all Andalusian people is: “¡No pasa nada!” So once you will learn this, your life will be easier there! ;)

Another pro is for sure FOOD – tapas, cerveza, vino tinto and tinto de verano. The best ham in the world – jamón Iberico! One of the “must do” things in that area for sure! Usually, we didn’t cook at all, because eating outside is really affordable. And good! A normal meal costed 2-3 EUR (1 tapa and a drink), and when you decide to be more fancy – around 10 EUR, if you go with a friend, and you can try a bunch of tapas and get a good bottle of wine as well. In fact, the living costs are the same or even cheaper than in Slovenia! Eating and drinking outside is definitely cheaper, also more or less all the food in the shops! Rooms are cheap – from 120 EUR up to 200 EUR per month (for a room in a 3-5 bedroom flat). So, with the Erasmus scholarship you can nicely cover your living expenses. To continue with another pro - TRAVELING! From the Seville airport, you can get cheap flights to everywhere - from Morocco, Canarias to Portugal. There are lots of low cost flights from Faro Airport as well! South of Portugal became our second home at the weekends. As well south of Spain. You can easily get to any other bigger city in Spain as well (Madrid, Barcelona), and if you like to surf – Huelva gets another +! 

The only con are public transports. There is a train station and lots of buses, running to and off Huelva. But they are kind of expensive. But you have a lot of other options, like BlablaCar or Amovens. Also some cheap bus companies (like Sociobus), that actually costs less than sharing a car. The easiest was of course having your own car (or have a friend with it). There is a lot of Erasmus students, that drive to Huelva with a car, so if you are sociable and ready for action, you won’t have problems with transportation! Because the city is small, all Erasmus know each other (more or less) so it’s really easy to make new friends and/or travelling companions!

To sum up – I would really recommend Huelva for a place to do your Erasmus. But only, if you like a Spanish way of life (read: “No pasa nada” and slow life) and if you are able to do things alone. And not wait for everything to fall from the tree! At the international office, they are REALLY helpful! But, usually you have to wait like an hour, to get your turn. But that’s how life is in the south of Spain! Don’t go for a coffee, if you only have 20 min. Or in the shop. Or the post office. Everything that you want or need to do takes time! But I found it out really nice, especially when you are comparing the life in Slovenia, where everyone is under stress and in a rush. Spaniards really know how to enjoy life and little things. And how to live every day to the fullest.

Oh! And keep in mind – during the siestas everything is CLOSED. Like everything. Even Chinese shops! So discovering supermarkets, that are open all day long is one of the important things as well, especially if you can’t stand to be hungry!

Urška Planinšek