My Summer Semester 2024 in Huelva, Spain

I had a wonderful summer semester in Huelva, Spain. I made lasting friendships with people from all over Europe, enhancing my cultural understanding and making connections with people from all over Europe. My primary education teaching field had limited course choices, but I picked up valuable insights in other areas, like the history of the European Union. Huelva is a charming place with a rich history and vibrant culture. My ability to communicate and integrate into the community was greatly improved by learning Spanish beforehand. My academic and personal development was enriched by this semester, which will benefit me in the future.

Transcultural Communicative Competence

My summer semester 2024 in Huelva, Spain significantly enhanced my TCC during my summer semester 2024 in Huelva. A different culture required me to adapt quickly and effectively to new social norms and communication styles. I honed vital abilities like compassion, curiosity, and the capacity to comprehend and connect with diverse cultural contexts. This experience helped me understand cultural diversity and improve my ability to communicate across cultural boundaries. It also helped me improve my ability to communicate across cultural boundaries.

LANGUAGE

In Huelva, Spain, I realized how important it was to know the local language. The Spanish language is crucial in Andalusia for navigating daily life, even though some people speak it. There are people who speak little to no English in Huelva. Being able to speak Spanish not only facilitates communication, but also allows for deeper insights into the culture and everyday life of the country. It is therefore highly recommended that you acquire at least basic Spanish skills before staying in this region. I felt more comfortable in my new environment and adapted more quickly.

Culture

Huelva was a great place to experience Spanish culture. A unique glimpse into Andalusian life can be found in the city's history and culture. Although not directly related to my primary education studies, I was able to learn about the history of the European Union through various seminars. My stay was incredibly enriching thanks to the local celebrations, delicious food, and friendly people. During my time in Europe, I made many connections with people from all over Europe, which broadened my cultural horizons and allowed me to build lasting friendships.

COMPETENCE

Teaching and learning. However, I saw this as a chance to broaden my knowledge base. Although not numerous, the courses available were engaging and offered new insights, particularly into European history. This experience taught me to be flexible and to seek learning opportunities even outside of my primary area of study. Interacting with students and faculty from various backgrounds helped me develop better intercultural communication skills. I think this semester really boosted my skills and knowledge, which will be really helpful in my future career.

Exchange Report: University of Huelva

by Anna-Lena Gstach

Studying abroad at the University of Huelva in Spain has been the most incredible experience of my life so far. I spent five months there, making good lifelong friends, learning about the Andalusian culture and a new university system, making unforgettable memories and just dealing with the ups and downs of living in a different country. This report shares my journey in Huelva, covering everything from arrival and accommodation to the classes and practical tips for future exchange students.

Arrival and Orientation

From the moment I arrived, the University of Huelva made me feel welcome. The staff at the study service office were very friendly and helpful and they take every issue like the typical Spanish flair: calm and chill. The welcome week itself included a lot of detailed information about academic procedures, campus facilities, and extracurricular activities. This helped me get settled in quickly and feel supported right from the start.

What is also good to know it that the University of Huelva has three main campuses: La Merced, El Carmen, and La Rábida. El Carmen, where all my courses took place, has the most individual buildings with studies like law, social work, psychology, engineering etc. La Merced is more focused on tourism and business studies. Navigating the campus and understanding the layout of the individual faculties was quite challenging at first. To help with this, the university provided a campus map of el Carmen, which was very useful:

Academic Experience

The University of Huelva offers courses taught in both English and Spanish. However, it is important to understand the language requirements for each course. Some courses are labeled as "English-friendly," but this means that the lectures are in Spanish, with exams in English. This can be challenging if you are not fluent in Spanish, especially because people in Andalusia speak quickly and tend to swallow some letters and syllables as they speak. I recommend sticking to courses taught entirely in English if you are not confident in your Spanish skills.

Additionally, be aware that many professors have limited English skills, much like many people in Andalusia, which can make it hard to follow lectures at times. Choosing the right subjects for my study “education for primary school” was the most challenging task I faced during my stay abroad because they have very view courses for my study in English. I had to change my subjects several times because teachers couldn’t speak proper English, my lectures overlapped, or the classes were already full.

In that case, I recommend talking with each professor individually to find a solution. The professors are very nice and may offer you the option to attend only the classes that fit your schedule or give you different tasks to complete than the Spanish students because of language barriers. This personalized approach can help you manage your courses better and make the most of your academic experience.

Accommodation

Finding a place to live can be challenging at times, but I was fortunate with my flat and my two roommates. I rented my apartment, just like many other exchange students, through a housing agency called “Housing Huelva.” They have various flats on their homepage and are extremely friendly and help with any issues that may arise during your stay. There are in general a lot of accommodations in Huelva available, especially for Erasmus students, that you can rent for one semester. Also, Facebook- and WhatsApp groups exist, where people post available rooms for rent. The cost for rent is compared to the rest of Europe cheap, the cost per month for one person is around 210-330€.

Most people lived near the city center, where most of the bars, cafes, clubs, and restaurants are located. I personally lived near the El Carmen Campus, which was very practical for me because all my courses took place there. However, it was farther from the city center, but you can get around quickly in the city by foot or by bike. There are also many taxis in Huelva that are super cheap and a good transportation option, especially or later at night. The buses are also quite alright, but they are rarely on time, and the transportation by bus is almost as fast as walking. Except for the buses that are driving to the beach. Those are always on time, and it takes them only 20min to get to the beach “Punta Umbría”.

General life of an exchange student

Life as an exchange student in Huelva is exciting and diverse. Each semester, around 450 students from various countries, mainly Italy, Germany, and France, come together. The big Erasmus community makes the experience even better with lots of events, trips, and activities, giving students many chances to meet others and explore the area. But unfortunately, making close friends with local Spanish students is super tough because of language differences and many classes of international students being in English. The overall lifestyle is relaxed and enjoyable, with students balancing university, Erasmus trips, and immersing themselves in the local culture and daily life.

More general practical tips for future exchange students:

· Local Transportation: You could buy a secondhand bike on apps like “Wallapop” or “Milanuncios” to get easier around the city. I also recommend a bus promotion card from a tobacco shop for the bus company in Huelva and for the one to get to the beach, to save on transportation costs. One bus ride costs 30-50c. But also, just walking by foot is great because you can be nearly everywhere in the city in around 30min by walking.

· Travel around Andalusia: Use the App “BlaBlaCar” for cheap and convenient travel around Andalusia. (=BlaBlaCar is a popular ride-sharing app that connects drivers with empty seats in their cars to passengers looking for a ride.) There is also an Website called “Amovens” where you can rent cars from private indivitualls for a cheap price.

· Health Insurance: Austrian students can use their E-Card but check if you need additional coverage based on your nationality.

· Organizations for parties and free time activities: Because of the fact that there are per semesters always around 450 exchange students in Huelva, a lot of organizations with great deals are formed for entertainment.

- Erasmus life Huelva (good parties, beach volleyball, dance classes, surfing)

- Go Erasmus Huelva (parties with good offers)

- My Holistic holidays (Trips, horseback riding, paddle surf, watching flamencos in nature)

- Experience Huelva (beer pong every Monday, Paella nights, boat party, sport activities and trips)

· Costs of living: The costs of living are very individual, but I would say that 500€ per month should cover all expenses like rent, groceries, transport and other bills. However, when you choose to travel a lot and do pricy activities in your free time, it could add up quickly.

Approximate Costs in bars and restaurants:

- 1,20€ for a cup of coffee

- 6€ for a meal in the school cafeteria

- 1,20€ for a small beer

- 2,50€ for a big Coca Cola

- 12-18€ for a meal

· Places I recommend visiting:

- Beach Punta Umbría and Mazagón

- Gruta de las Maravillas

- Algarve in Portugal

- Cities like Sevilla, Cádiz, Granada, Gibraltar, Málaga, Córdoba and Lisboa

- “Feria de Abril” in Sevilla

Personal conclusion

In conclusion, my time in Huelva was filled with memorable experiences and personal growth. The city's welcoming atmosphere, combined with the support from the university, made my exchange semester enjoyable and fulfilling. The cost of living is relatively low, but expenses can add up if you plan to travel frequently and participate in various activities. However, the investment is well worth the invaluable experiences and lifelong memories. So if you have the chance to study abroad, I highly recommend taking the plunge and embracing all that an exchange semester has to offer.