If you’re considering studying abroad, you’d be hard-pressed to find a country better than Spain. However, I might be biased since I chose to study abroad in Spain and I have been living in Ávila, in the Castilla y Leon region of Spain for the last 6 months!
Choosing where to study abroad can be a difficult decision, and there are, of course, pros and cons to any country and city that you may choose to study in. So, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of living and studying abroad in Spain!
First, let’s talk about the positives! There are so many positive aspects to studying in Spain, but I’ve compiled a list of just a few.
Student life in Spain is so much fun!
Student life, and indeed just general social life, in Spain is so much fun! Whether you love to go out and dance the night away, go hiking in the mountains, or grab a coffee and browse Madrid’s second-hand shops, Spain has it all.
As a student, this country is such a fun place to study as you are sure to find like-minded students who are interested in the same things as you.
There are truly so many experiences to be had both in the city where you study and travelling around Spain on your weekends and breaks.
The cost of living is very low
The cost of living in Spain is very low compared to many other countries in Europe. Everyday necessities such as groceries, water and public transport costs are incredibly affordable.
It is quite common to find rentals where all of the bills are included in your monthly rent payment, but even if they are not included, these costs are quite reasonable. I don’t own a car so I can’t offer much insight into the cost of owning a car in Spain, but public transport is very efficient and affordable in most cities.
Eating out is very common and affordable
Enjoying a glass of vino and complimentary tapas on a terrace or in a plaza is an important part of Spanish life!
Spain’s social life centres around food and eating out is very affordable. Most restaurants offer a ‘Menu of the Day’ where you can enjoy a three-course meal, including drinks, for a set price, usually between 15 to 20 euros. But if you’re looking for something more low-key, you can enjoy a drink with complimentary tapas for just 3 or 4 euros in most bars or cafes.
Eating out is very affordable in Spain, so you will be able to make the most of living here and experience the culinary delights each region has to offer.
You don’t need to own a car
Spain’s public transport network is excellent. The biggest cities like Barcelona and Madrid have excellent metro networks and smaller cities usually have a bus network.
Travelling between cities and towns in Spain is simple as the country has excellent rail connections. If you can’t get somewhere by train, there’s probably a bus that will take you there.
It was hard to choose just a few positives about studying in Spain; for me, the list is truly endless! As with any good thing, however, there can be some negatives to studying abroad in Spain.
Finding affordable accommodation can be difficult
Depending on the city or town which you want to study in, it can be difficult to find affordable accommodation.
Many foreigners want to study in Madrid or Barcelona to have the experience of a big city and the comfort of people knowing English.
Unfortunately, rent in both of these cities in particular has skyrocketed in recent years and it can be difficult to find affordable accommodation, depending on your budget.
Your best bet is to search on pisocompartido.com or the ‘shared’ section on idealista.com to find shared accommodation which will be cheaper because you will split the rent with flatmates.
Outside of the big cities, however, you should have no problem finding affordable accommodation. So it might be a good idea to broaden your horizons and consider living in a smaller city.
Moving abroad on your own is hard
There’s no doubt about it, moving to another country on your own is really hard. You might experience homesickness, and it can take some time to make friends and find your community.
You will definitely question your decision to move at some point. Keep in mind that you can’t establish a new life overnight.
What you can do is reach out to people in your classes or get to know your new flatmates - invite them out for a coffee or to hang out after class.
Pretty soon you’ll have a new community of people who you can count on in your new city. Just remember to give it time!
The first couple of months after moving abroad are the hardest, but you will start to settle in before you know it.
You will probably struggle with your language skills
Unless you already speak fluent Spanish (good for you!), you will probably struggle with your language skills after moving to Spain.
Living abroad and constantly speaking your second language every day can be incredibly exhausting, especially at first.
The best way to improve your language skills and feel more confident is to lean in. Find a language exchange group in your area, enrol in Spanish classes and try to speak to as many native Spanish speakers as you can.
Learning a second language is hard, and there will be struggles, but in my experience, Spaniards are very welcoming and kind to foreigners who are working on their Spanish.
So is studying in Spain worth it?
I certainly think so. Like any study abroad destination, it has its pros and cons, but for me, the student experience in Spain has by far outweighed the challenges of moving here.
If you go into the experience with an open mind, flexibility, and curiosity about all the differences between Spain and your own country, you are sure to have a life-changing experience and learn about yourself along the way.
You can browse programs at Spanish universities here.
