Erasmus

Calling all people who've been on an Erasmus year!!

I'm planning to study in Spain this year and so will be heading over in the next few weeks. My Erasmus co ordinator here is bloody useless and therefore I'm organising everything on my own, and am quite stressed. She hasn't helped me with any of my questions, forgot to send me an essential form and hasn't even bothered to find out when the term starts there, took me several phone calls to Spain to find out! Anyway, I'm a bit concerned about the lack of documents, I only have

- Letter from Trinity saying I'm a student
-Registration form
- Letter about applying for medical card
- Form to apply for Erasmus grant
Should there be anything else?

Has anyone studied in Spain for a year and opened a bank account? Is it easy to do there?

I'm also dead worried about packing as I'm not really known as a light packer. Last year I arrived at Trinity Hall with 4 suitcases, 3 big bags, 2 boxes and 2 binbags of stuff. What's a sensible amount of stuff to bring for a year, clothes-wise etc? I assume you don't bother with duvets and pillows, do you buy them when you get there? What about kitchen stuff? I hope someone can help!

DrIndy

be sensible. Where are you going in spain? Spain can get pretty chilly in the winter, but if its on the southern coast, should not be too cold. Shorts take up less space than trousers do. Bring a light jacket, not a snow-coat.

Your bank card can be converted to work in spain, it needs to be of the international variety such as Cirrus or Maestro - but I think now that all ATM cards work in the EU, double check with your bank. Also get a credit card as this is international currency and use it wisely. You don't need a spanish bank account and with the EU laws on money laundering, it may be VERY difficult to get a bank account over there even if you wanted to.

Get a spanish mobile phone card, your Irish wont will be very expensive/won't work.

Regarding Erasmus, there are others that can advise better, my advice is take it easy, bring only the absolute essentials (1 suitcase ONLY), travel there ahead of time to get the lie of the land and to see what you need. If you need something, buy it there like a duvet (they will be cheaper there than here).

Bringing as little as possible allows you to bring all the crap you buy in Spain back with you!

I'm going to Granada. People from there have told me it gets freezing there in winter because its in the mountains (colder than Ireland) so I guess I'll have to bring some warm jumpers. I'll buy a coat when I get there.

I just thought it would be easier having a Spanish bank account as I have loads of problems even in Dublin with mine cos its sterling, therefore its a problem to get paid into and that. I'm still trying to find a solution. I never thought it would be impossible, hmmm then I'm a bit screwed then. I suppose I'll wait and see what I can do.

I was thinking of buying a Spanish SIM card online before I go with a bit of credit on to save hassle when I get there, is this a good idea? Does anyone know which is the cheapest, MoviStar, Vodafone or Amena?

ONE suitcase! Shock horror. :eek: :eek: I'm not sure I can manage that. I was thinking I might *just* manage a rucksack and a suitcase I'm really thick though, I always give myself a bad back trying to carry far too much. What would you say are the essentials for a year away except clothes and that?

DrIndy

I'm going to Granada. People from there have told me it gets freezing there in winter because its in the mountains (colder than Ireland) so I guess I'll have to bring some warm jumpers. I'll buy a coat when I get there.

Bring ONE warm jumper, if you need more, buy ONE more over there.

I just thought it would be easier having a Spanish bank account as I have loads of problems even in Dublin with mine cos its sterling, therefore its a problem to get paid into and that. I'm still trying to find a solution. I never thought it would be impossible, hmmm then I'm a bit screwed then. I suppose I'll wait and see what I can do.

Get an Irish student bank account and chat to the manager about getting access to international use for spain, they will sort it all, its crazy not to have an irish bank account if you are in ireland so much of the time! Get a credit card. You are not screwed, you just need to think laterally. Having a credit card gives you a cushion if you have problems with your normal bank account, so long as its not maxed out!

I was thinking of buying a Spanish SIM card online before I go with a bit of credit on to save hassle when I get there, is this a good idea? Does anyone know which is the cheapest, MoviStar, Vodafone or Amena?

Ask in the mobile phone section of boards and see what people say is the best. They can recommend you also on how to buy.

ONE suitcase! Shock horror. I'm not sure I can manage that. I was thinking I might *just* manage a rucksack and a suitcase I'm really thick though, I always give myself a bad back trying to carry far too much. What would you say are the essentials for a year away except clothes and that?

One suitcase or one rucksack, absolutely no more - leave the rest of your crap behind or you will never be able to take all your purchases back from spain. Things are really CHEAP there.

Travelling light is easy as hell to do.

Shadowlands

Martin Lazy Ground, was course are you doing? Will you be studying it in Spanish while you're there? I want to do an Erasmus year too - I took Spanish for three years, but I still wouldn't think I'm ready for classes in Spanish. Have you studied Spanish?

Boston

Was your co-ordinator Slivia spavita. (not to sure if that her real last name of just one we made up)

Travelling light is easy as hell to do.

But I'm a giiiiiirl........

Seriously, would you be able to make do with only 2 jumpers? Wouldn't you spend your life doing laundry if you packed too little? I think I'll have to bring all black stuff and wear a different floaty scarf everyday to make it look different! I've made a list of what to bring which admittedly is somewhat unrealistic but there's stuff you can't really not bring - I have 2 massive dictionaries and a couple of other heavy grammar books for my course and it seems silly to leave them and have to buy new ones. They're pretty essential. I just hate the thought of half me suitcase being books. Is it silly to bring a laptop in case it gets stolen?

What should one do about bed stuff? Bring a duvet cover and pillowcase and buy the rest? Is it worth bringing stuff like a mug and bowl and a pan?

Yes I've studied Spanish for about 4 years, and I will be doing all my courses through Spanish. My co-ordinator isn't Silvia whatshername no

DrIndy

But I'm a giiiiiirl........

LOL! Heard that before, the excuse for everything.....

Minimise everything or you can't bring anything back with you and I assure you, nay guarrantee you that you will buy a ridiculous amount of stuff over there during the course of the year and then discover you cannot bring it back because you took too much along the first time. Spain is CHEAP.

Take the laptop and books, you'll need them certainly.

What should one do about bed stuff? Bring a duvet cover and pillowcase and buy the rest? Is it worth bringing stuff like a mug and bowl and a pan?

:eek:
Nononononono. If you MUST bring something, then bring a (small) sleeping bag until you can buy all you need there. A sleeping bag also allows you to go away on weekends around the country and still be cozy and warm.

Mug?
PAN??????

Spain is CHEAP

Are you sure? I've been there many times and while everything was dirt cheap a few years ago, now there doesn't seem to be THAT much difference between Spain and other countries like Ireland. Stuff like cups of coffee are more reasonably priced, and supermarket food and the clothes are generally cheaper, but not so I'd consider them dirt cheap. I wasn't planning to stock up on clothes etc when I get there, I haven't before when I've been in Spain. For duvets, pans etc, I have no idea but I've bought the odd household item like coffeepots and they weren't that cheap really.

DrIndy

You don't need plates and stuff, just eat out of the pot!

Most things will have a lower markup and it will save on your luggage limit which is all to easily exceeded.....