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~ An Initial Place to Stay ~ Finding an Apartment ~ Finding Your Way Around ~ Setting Up a Bank Account ~ Embrace the Culture ~ Getting a Phone |
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A housing option you might want to look into is staying in a collegio (like a dormitory) for the first week or two, or even for the whole semester. I visited and had friends living at two different collegios, and they seemed like places I wouldn't mind living. Meals are often included in the price of your stay, and there are guards for protection and staff on duty to answer your questions. You can make reservations at these collegios before you get to Valencia, therefore guaranteeing a place to stay when you arrive. From here, you can search for an apartment (if this is what you choose to do) easily, and perhaps even meet people to live with. Ithaca College can make arrangements for you to stay in the Collegio Mayor Rector Peset (a private residence hall associated with the University of Valencia) for your first week or two. This residence is new, beautiful, and in the heart of the old city. There is a cafeteria and pub in the residence. Current room and board price is approximately $125 (US dollars) per week.
The University of Valencia also offers a listing of additional Collegios you can research. |
 Falla Infantile displayed during the Fallas celebration in March, Valencia
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Some other hotels, addresses, and phone numbers:
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If for some reason staying in the Collegio does not work out for you, below are some addresses of hotels you could stay in while looking for a more permanent residence. The U of V for IC Resource Guide in the Office of International Programs also has additional information about hotels, residence halls, and hostals. The Hotel Renasa,
where I stayed, is nice, clean, and close to many of the facultads (a
centrally located area in which you may want to find an apartment).
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Another less extravagant but perhaps more fun option might be to stay for a couple of days in a youth hostal. Friends of mine stayed in this youth hostal right near the beach, had a great time there, and met a lot of very nice people. The hostal has 22 beds and costs 1,000 - 1,500 pesetas/night
Finding your apartment Arriving in a new foreign city, alone, without a place to live seemed absolutely scary and unthinkable to me, but I soon discovered that finding an apartment really was not that difficult. Before the start of the semester and during the first few weeks into the semester, phone booths, bulletin boards, and walls in the different facultads are literally plastered with advertisements stating that students are looking for other students to complete their "piso." Wander through the city in the university area, rip off phone numbers on advertisements, and begin making the calls (this may be the most difficult part of the process, if your Spanish is rusty!). Set up appointments to see the apartments and meet the people, ask questions relevant to you, and go from there! If for some reason you get stuck and are unable to find a good apartment, the people in the Erasmus Office (Calle Senda Senent, 11, phone 963 864 180) would most likely be willing to help you. An organization called
CADE may be able to help find
you an apartment, as well. |
I found that the process of finding and leasing an apartment was generally much more laid back than anything I had experienced in the US in terms of lease agreements, security deposits, etc. Also, there were some great apartments available for a fraction of what they would cost in Ithaca. Most were completely furnished, down to sheets, blankets, and silverware. I would recommend living with Spanish roommates, if possible. My Spanish roommates undoubtedly taught me more Spanish than any of my professors did, and they were also able to share with me explanations of their culture, taught me how to cook some of their meals, and helped me find my way around Valencia. My Spanish roommates provided some of my best experiences and best friendships in Spain. |
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Getting a Phone I was shocked how many people had cellular phones in Spain! I soon discovered, however, that cell phones or "movil" phones were, at least for me, the most inexpensive way to communicate. Many of the cell phones operate on "tarejetas", or a debit system. You charge your phone with a certain amount of pesetas, and then the calls you make and messages you send automatically subtract from this amount. Shop around for the best deal on a phone and the best plan to suit your needs. One great thing about the cell phone plan I had was that I did not have to pay for incoming calls, and my family and friends could call me from the US even when I had no money on my phone! The company I went with, MoviStar, was extremely helpful:
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 Corrida (bullfight) in the Plaza de Toros, Valencia |
~ Home ~ Overview
~ City of Valencia ~ As a Student
~ Before You Leave ~ Packing
Tips ~ Getting There ~
~ Settling In ~ Terms to Remember
~ Registering for Classes ~
University of Valencia for Ithaca College Students, developed
by Brin Tucker, Spring 2000
Last updated 6/15/04
