As mentioned in one of my previous posts, this week marks a month since I’ve been in Spain. This is the first time I’ve lived in a different country, and the only time I will ever do a study year abroad. I feel like I have made a few massive errors, so I figured I would just write down what I personally would have done differently. If anyone else but myself reads this, (yep, not even my own Mother reads this blog), then my experiences/tips may be of use.

Come alone and arrive early:
– I travelled here with my Grandparents and then my Mum came the day after. Although it was lovely to have them all here to help move me in, I’m someone who always has to make sure other people are okay, and therefore I found myself stressing about them and their wellbeing. Basically, you don’t need any added stress and sometimes family can, unintentionally, stress you out.
– I would also advise coming at least a week in advance, (if you already have accommodation sorted. If you don’t; I’d suggest even earlier). I arrived 4 days before Uni started, with 2 of those days being the weekend. It was definitely not enough time to have things sorted in advance.

Ask landlord what’s already in the flat:
– If you already have your accommodation sorted, it would be a shout to ask the landlord what is already provided for you. For example, I brought pots, pans and cutlery, however on arriving, our kitchen was already fully stocked with all the utensils you could possibly need. Our landlord even provided us with bedding and bed sheets! Instead of filling your suitcase with things unnecessary things, which will already be here on arrival, you can replace these items with other things you may want to bring.

Research the location you’re in properly:
– This is the big one for me. I personally would say I did research things properly, however in hindsight, I feel like I may have read things that were perhaps biased. Try and find some people who have lived there before, maybe the people who had gone to the same location previously from your uni. See if their interests match with yours, in an attempt to see if that location would also be a good/bad fit for you.
– The biggest thing I would say is know yourself: be aware of your personality, your likes, your interests, your lifestyle, the lifestyle you’re hoping to have on your year abroad. From that point, decide on the place that would best suit you.
– The Erasmus timeline and application process doesn’t really allow this, but if you can maybe try and visit, or at least visit the exact location before you get there, as if you realise early that you want to change it may be easier to facilitate.

Try and keep up your language during the summer:
– Don’t do that standard, ‘I’ve finished exams, let’s go 3+ months without uttering a single word of my target language’, (like I did). The phrase ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’, is not a joke. Do everything you can to keep your target language going. Whether it’s participating in those Erasmus OLS exercises or just calling a class mate twice a week to have a catch-up in your target language.

Be a yes woman/man:
– Throw yourself into everything! All the ESN events, go! If they sound lame af, go anyway! This is definitely something I regret not doing. I would always sack off the ESN events to go out in Madrid. Granted, I’ve had amazing nights in Madrid when I do go out there, however, it’s left me here with very few friends and not really knowing any of the cool hotspots which ESN events would have shown me.
– In terms of Spain, they don’t have clubs and societies like they do in England. They have some sports teams but the selection is very small and no societies at all, so in my opinion it’s not as easy to find opportunities to make friends. This is why ESN events and things like that are so important.

Stay calm; don’t be scared:
– You have made the best decision. Trust me, doing a year abroad is, honestly, one of the best decisions you have ever made. I have heard so many of my friends saying that they regret not doing a year abroad: I have never once heard anyone tell me they regret doing one. Everyone is in the same boat. Everyone is feeling the exact same feels as you. Everything is going to be okay.