Each year many students and young people consider taking part in the Erasmus Programme during their university studies. In this article, we’ll explain why Valencia is the perfect Erasmus city, giving you the opportunity to combine studying with exploring a new culture and city. The third biggest city in Spain, Valencia has a lot to offer visitors and tourists, from its location on the Mediterranean coast, where the beach is right on your doorstep and the surrounding mountains are ideal for hiking excursions or weekends away, while the city itself combines a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere with a relaxed way of life. Of course, the best way for newcomers to discover Valencia is with the Questo app which makes finding your feet in a new city even more fun!
Valencia is home to several universities, including the University of Valencia which is one of the oldest surviving universities in Spain and the Berklee College of Music. As a result, the city has a very vibrant student life with affordable accommodation, a wide range of events and activities designed for students and a big international community. Add over 300 days of sunshine per year to the mix and this makes Valencia an attractive proposition for the students and new arrivals who come to the city to make a new life.
The laidback, Mediterranean lifestyle in Valencia and the multicultural environment also draws a large number of freelancers to the city. Opportunities for freelancers are on the increase as can be seen by the growing number of co-working spaces and networking events here, meaning whatever your industry, you are sure to find like-minded souls to connect and do business with. In addition, Valencia is well connected to other Spanish cities, with regular trains to Barcelona and Madrid under two hours away thanks to the high-speed Ave train.
Discover Valencia
Although offering everything you would expect from a major European city, Valencia never feels too big and has retained the warm, welcoming atmosphere that brought people here in the first place. It is unbelievably easy to get around the city and you can choose from bus, metro, tram or bike to get from one side of the city to another. However, if you are looking for a more in-depth introduction to Valencia, then the Questo app is just what you need.
The city exploration game lets players solve problems and undertake quests while they discover new places and learn fun facts about the history of the city. It is a great option for uncovering new parts of Valencia and picking up some more knowledge at the same time.
Valencian Gastronomy
Obviously, we have to mention food if we are going to talk about what makes Valencia so special. And it wouldn’t be a genuine trip to Valencia without sampling a genuine paella valenciana, after all, only paella from the Valencian Community can really be referred to as authentic paella! There are even classes to learn how to make the world-famous dish yourself.
Valencia has more gastronomic delights to try, including the plant milk, horchata which is traditionally served with fartons, a spongy sweet for dipping in the drink.
The climate in Valencia makes it possible to enjoy these and other delicious offerings on bar and restaurant terrazas year-round, thanks to the region’s mild winters. Valencia’s sociable way of life means that there are plenty of opportunities to find a spot in the sunshine to try a few tapas, sip one of the local beers and watch the world go by.
Enjoying the Valencian Way of Life
Valencia is not short of outside activities and entertainment. The city has two football stadiums, home to Valencia CF and Levante CF, and many other sports teams including a basketball team. And for those who get active, the Turia riverbed is the city’s lungs where there is no shortage of activities to take part in from football to skateboarding. Valencia is known as the city of running, so, of course there is a 5km running track through the park to take advantage of and regular races organised. At one end of the Turia park is the Bioparc, the city’s zoo, while at the other is the City of Arts and Sciences, an impressive cultural complex that includes a museum, an aquarium, and an opera house. And that’s just within the city itself. There is even more to discover in the rest of the province, starting with the Albufera nature reserve, where the rice for the famous paella is grown.
Valencia, the Perfect Erasmus City, Awaits!
Whatever your interests, Eramus students are sure to find something to suit them or even discover a new hobby entirely. Unfortunately, following Brexit, UK students are no longer able to participate in the Erasmus programme, however students from other EU member states are still able to do so. Once you touchdown in Valencia, download the Questo app and start exploring your new home!
