I found that half my initial communication problems in Valencia stemmed from not understanding some of the peculiar terminology being used around me. Familiarity with some of the following terms might help you avoid some of the same pitfalls!

ERASMUS

When I got to Spain, everyone kept asking me if I was an 'Erasmus' student. But I had no clue what it was! Erasmus is a scholarship for students of the European Union which sponsors and organizes study abroad experiences. So roughly translated, Erasmus students are international study abroad students. If you are from the United States, you technically are not an Erasmus student, but you can classify yourself as 'Erasmus' in Valencia and get by. More or less, you will be following the same system that European Erasmus students follow (taking classes with regular Spanish students). When talking with your professors and international relations advisors, however, you may want to clarify that you are not technically under the Erasmus program, but are a student on a 'intercambio' (exchange agreement).

With a famous "jamon serrano"

Facultad

This is more or less the equivalent of a 'school' of study at Ithaca College. There are several facultads, in different buildings, spread all over the city of Valencia. Many of the Facultads have a variety of majors offered within them, as well. To register, or 'matriculate' for classes, you will have to choose your main classes within a facultad. It is possible, however, to take a sampling of courses from various facultads.

Matricular

Means 'to register' for classes. You will have to matriculate within your first month or so of the semester to officially be enrolled in the classes you are attending. Your advisor in your facultad will help you with this process.

Piso

Literally means 'floor,' it is the Spanish name for an apartment or flat. Nearly everyone, students and families alike, lives in pisos in Valencia. When you look for a piso, look for signs saying something like "se busca chica para completir piso"