Those oddities you didn't know about Spain...

Salvador Dali, Spanish Artist and an oddity himself

So you have finally decided to fulfill that dream of study abroad. And you have chosen Spain as your destination. Well, congratulations! you are about to experience one of the most joyful and nice countries in Europe. Nevertheless, Spaniards have ways and customs that might surprise you (and maybe bother you) somehow...so better get ready for some of this:

- Not everybody speaks English: Sure English is pretty common nowadays, specially among the younger generations but...don't expect the taxi driver or the boy who works in that little store around the corner, yes, the one selling almost everything, to be fluent in other language rather than their own. To compensate that, there's this second fact

Probably the first reaction would be something like this, a big "What?" while staring at you like if you were from other planet (you actually kind of are...)

- Spanish people are very expressive. They might not fully understand you but you will realize they will do everything they can to communicate with you, hands moving, mimic, speak perfect Spanish very loud and slow....(even tho this won't help). If you put some effort you'll see communication is possible, and fun.

Yeap, the whole facial range, or even more

- And linked to that expressivity, Spanish people are veeeery talkative. Spaniards talk. Either sitting on a bench in the park, over a coffee or beer in a terrace, or after lunch or dinner, we like to talk and enjoy our close ones company. That talking after lunch or dinner is called "sobremesa" and can take hours...so you meet friends for lunch and then you realize that is already dinner time, so you stay with them for dinner...and then it's 2 in the morning and you get back home after the longest lunch ever. Yeah, we love those things.

Bars and restaurants are commonly crowded

- Of course, something that most foreigners don't realize, don't understand and can be a big issue at the beginning of your stay: Spanish people eat very late. When I say late means lunch is served after 1 p.m., being 2 p.m. the real lunch time, but this can be delayed till 3, or even 4 in the summer time. And you will never have dinner before 9 p.m. Forget about it, it just won't happen. Good thing is that most of the places have "pinchos" (little, and sometimes not that little, sandwiches of many different kinds) all day long. So don't worry, you won't starve.

This could perfectly be an after lunch meeting with friends, yeap, sunset time

- Tapas are for sharing. You can not order "croquetas" or "tortilla" or "jamón" and expect the whole thing is for you. No my friend, tapas are for sharing, food is for sharing and enjoying with family, friends and loved ones. Don't be surprised if somebody takes the last bite out of your plate. The good thing is that you can take food from other plates too.

Patatas bravas, calamares fritos y chorizo...you could try all of them! Remember: sharing is caring

-"Siesta" is a myth. Don't get me wrong, it does exist but, against what most of people think, it's not a daily life habit. "Siesta" as it is conceived in Spain, is reduced to weekends and holiday time, is the time to rest after lunch and, including the eating time, can take 3 hours. Now, it is true that some shops closed during this period, but mostly not to take a nap....I already mentioned the "sobremesa" and how talkative Spanish are, right?.

ok, maybe sometimes we take a nap....sometimes...

- Punctuality is not among Spanish virtues...I can see some of my friends' eyes poping out of their sockets while they are reading this...Let's face it guys....Spaniards are not really the first ones to get to the meeting point. Of course it's not like when you get stuck in a traffic jam in Jakarta and you realize that you will be, at least, one hour late, nothing can be compared to that, but we make good use of those "cinco minutos de cortesía" (grace period) every time we can. If you are meeting a group of Spanish and they are late, don't take it personal, they need five minutes more, that's all.

Just 5 minutes, I'm almost there

- When meeting someone, it is customary to give one kiss on each cheek. Honestly I don´t know where this custom comes from, but it's the way it is. Don't be scared if a beautiful girl/boy is been introduced to you and she/he throught her/him self into your arms and kiss you. It's not love, it's a common greeting, sorry.

kisses, kisses, kisses...

- Spanish food is not spicy and very seldom hot. Spaniards are very proud of the Mediterranean diet, even in those regions that are not in Mediterranean waters. Further more, Spain is the number one producer of olive oil in the world with 44% of the world's olive oil production. That is more than twice that of Italy and four times that of Greece, and we use it to cook every meal. Don't ask for "jalapeños" you are in the wrong country.

Some says this is Spanish gold

- Not all Spanish are flamenco dancers or bullfighters... It might sound strange or maybe disappointing to you, but it's true...As a matter of fact, flamenco is popular mostly in the South of Spain, while in the North it's not common at all. And reciently some of the regions banned (or are in process to) bullfighting. So, yes, even tho Spain is not a very big country traditions and customs vary from North to South, East to West, giving each part and region a very specific and unique taste. More to explore and discover!

These are some but I bet that not all....and of course, all said is not 100% true....I know very punctual people for instance.

What do you think?. Were you already aware of any of these things?
Spaniards, did we miss something?.

Give us your comment and opinion guys!, and remember, sharing is caring.

Enjoy your time in beautiful Spain!
 

9 questions you probably have about study in Spain

Going abroad for your studies is always a big deal. It doesn't matter if you are looking for a bachelor or a post-graduate program, there always are several considerations you need to take care off before taking any decision. Of course you should reply yourself to the big things, such as which major, and where, but once you have decided that, and if you destination is Spain this post might help you with the preparations.

• Which is the best university for....?

This is a question we get a lot..."I want to study a master degree on Accounting (i.e.), which is the best Spanish University in that field....?"
It's not that we want to show off, but Spain has a long tradition on Education and some of its Universities are among the oldest in Europe (click here or here to learn more), meaning that we have tough times choosing only one. You can check this website, which has the complete list of Spanish Universities and where you can filter your search based on location and field of studies. From there you can see which your options are and which one is more appealing for you. 

• Can I get a scholarships?

Many people come to ask willing to study in Spain but needing funds to do so.
There are some scholarships and grants you can apply to, like those offered by the EU (Erasmus +) that are open to graduates and post-graduate students of all backgrounds.

Many universities and business schools also have their own scholarships or tuition reduction policies. Remember to check if you can apply for any of them.

If you are applying from Indonesia, the LPDP scholarchips are a very good option, cause they cover not only the tuition fees but also the full board during your stay abroad. Check the full list of universities that are recognized by this program here.

• How do I get my visa?

 If you are going to Spain for a short period of time (meaning less than three months) you can apply for a simple tourist visa.
If you are planning to stay longer, a semester or a full year, then you need to apply for a student visa. In order to do so you must present some documents, among them are, a valid passport for the complete duration of your studies, the acceptance letter from your host university, an insurance (make sure that the insurance company is allowed to operate in Spain) and a police record. You can visit the Spanish Embassy in Jakarta for the whole information, they are at Jl. Haji Agus Salim, 61 Yakarta Pusat - 10350 (Tel.: +62-21 314 23 55).

• Is it easy to find accommodation?

 When staying in Spain you have several choices. Since we imagine you'll probably be staying for quite a while, as a student you're likely to be more interested in options other than hotels and guesthouses. Here are a few:

 - Students residences and colegios mayores:
These are highly recommended as they tend to be located near the campus (so you can save money on transport) and because in addition to accommodation, they also tend to offer dining and laundry facilities, among other amenities. There are different types available (women's, men's or mixed), and some are private while others depend directly on the universities. The main difference between student residences and colegios mayores is that the last one also provides the opportunity to develop your cultural and sporting abilities. You can use this website to choose the one more suitable for you.

 - Staying with a family:
There are an increasing number of families who are interested in receiving foreign students as lodgers. All things considered, this can be an excellent way of experiencing the Spanish way of life and saving money.
 
Ask about this option at your university or in your language school.

- Renting a flat:
You can rent a whole flat or a room in a flat shared with other tenants. This last option is very popular with Spanish students and quite affordable.
 
You'll find specialised agencies on the Internet, and you're also bound to come across advertisements that may be of interest on notice boards around the campus. Pay particular attention to details such as whether the flat is near an underground or bus station.

- Living with elderly people:
Several Spanish cities have intergenerational programmes in which young students are given lodgings in elderly people's homes. In exchange for free accommodation, all you have to do is offer your company and enjoy sharing the person's experience.This option can show you a different face of Spain, and be a wonderful experience, but we recomend you to have some knowledge of Spanish language
 
Check with the voluntary work or community service offices in your university.

Anyway, the office of International Relations from your host university can help you and advise you on this.

• What about the cost of living in Spain?

The good thing about choosing Spain over other European countries is, not only quality of the Spanish Educational institutions, but the country cost of living, is cheaper than what you would find in UK, France or Germany. Of course this cost of living changes depending on the region you are based (it's not the same Madrid or Barcelona that smaller cities as Granada or Salamanca), but still you will find it very "budget friendly". Here an example of what we mean. Let's imagine you are going to Barcelona for your master degree (as we said before, Barcelona is not the cheapest city, but it's still very popular), how much you would spend per month?
 - Rented room in a shared flat in Barcelona city center: 300 - 350 € (approx. You can check this website yourself and fine better deals in other areas of the city)
 - Transport: 45 € (yearly subscription, if needed)
 - Food: 160 - 200 €
 - Leisure/entertaiment: 100 €

You get a total cost of approximately: 645 €/month, not bad considering you are studying in one of the most popular destinations around the world, right?

• Language concerns  

- Should I learn Spanish?

If you have chosen one of the universities that offered English Programs, for sure you won't need to learn Spanish for your studies. Nevertheless we encourage you to learn some basic Spanish, you will find it more than useful for your daily life and sure you will enjoy it (check out our post "Some things you've never realized about the importance of learning Spanish"). All the Spanish Universities offer language courses to their foreigner students, and there are many private academies that sure can help you if you need to put some extra effort. We can recommend you some depending on where you are going.

- I know Spain has more than one official language, what about that? do I need to speak Catalan, Galician or Basque?

True, Spain has more than one official language, four to be more specific. However, Spanish is official in the whole territory and all the locals speak Spanish. Furthermore, and as example, a city like Barcelona (where Spanish and Catalan are official languages) receives every year more than 12.000 foreigner students, meaning that sometimes even only speak English it's fine.

• Can I study and work?

Does your student visa allow you to apply for a job? The answer is YES, with your student visa you could apply for a part-time job. But trust me...you will be so delighted discovering the wonders that Spain has to offer that you won't have time for that.

• Religious concerns

- Muslim

If you are coming from a Muslim country and are a muslim practitioner you might be worried about finding worship places in Spain. Well, be worried no more. Spain not only has a shared historic link with the islamic religion but it's also very close to North Africa, where Islam is the most practiced religion. In the last two decades many workers from these countries have chosen Spain to live and have brought with them their traditions and customs. Meaning that it will be easier for you to find mosques or praying groups.  

 - Halal

 As it's said above,  the Muslim community has grown a lot in the last years so every day is easier and easier find Halal butchers and groceries stores, especially in the biggest cities.

•  Is there any discount for International students? (information provided by the official website of Study in Spain, very useful website, you should check it out)

And this is another thing to think about....there are many students cards you can apply for that will help you to get discounts on different activities (transport, housing, food....), your budget won't regret it!. As an international student, you'll have several options to get discounts in Spain:

1. Get the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). It is valid in over 120 countries and you will be able to get discounts on travel, restaurants, museums, accommodation, transport, telephony, sports, etc. You can apply for it online or get it directly in Spain even if you are a foreign student (you will need a document that proves you are enrolled in a school or university, a recent passport photo and your ID card or passport). The minimum age to apply is 12 and there is no maximum age. It is valid for no more than 16 months. Follow this link for more information.

2. Get the European Youth Card (promoted by the European Youth Card Association – EYCA), for young people aged 14 to 30, valid in over 40 countries.
In Spain this card is promoted by the Youth Institute (Injuve) and the youth organisations of the Autonomous Regions.
We suggest you to visit the following website, where you find where you need to go, depending on the autonomous region you are studying in. It also includes requirements and fees.

3. Get the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC). It is valid for young people aged 12-25 who are not full-time students. It is especially useful for getting discounts on international air travel, rail tickets, and others. It is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

More information: https://es-online.aliveplatform.com/index.php

4. Get the Spanish Youth Hostel Network (REAJ) card. This card is recognised internationally and you will be able to use it in many national and foreign hostels. To apply, all you need is your ID card or passport, and to pay the fee. More information here.

Other things to remember:

Get information on the discounts that RENFE (Spanish National Railway Network) offers if you have one of these card:
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/index.html

Many universities have their own student card with which you can borrow books, get discounts, etc. Most of these cards can also be linked to a bank account. That is, they can be used as a cash card.

Even if you haven’t got any of these cards, if you prove you are a student you can get discounts on many services such as transport, car hire, housing, etc...

Take a look at the proposals on the official page of the Youth Institute (Injuve)
 

So...what do you think?, is everything clear now?, have we missed anything? please let us know, we will be delighted to answer all the questions you have, so all comments are welcome. And if you find this post useful don't be shy and share, cause sharing is caring.