Hi! I’m an American who ended up doing high school and university here. From my own experience, I would recommend you skip the big city and the private university.
I went to public high school in Sevilla and public University in M?laga and those were some of the best decisions I ever made.
Word to the wise- you’re coming from a culture where your entire future hangs on your college education. In Spain it’s not like that- only 10% of the population has ever attended or graduated from college. Public universities charge a lot less, have reserved spots for foreigners and have excellent professors. Btw, I have never been asked to show proof of my Diploma, and I’ve worked in three jobs that required college level education.
To sign up, you need to take the college entry exam (not sure which one it would be for you- I took Selectividad, but I came from a Spanish high school) and then register at the beginning of July. You will have to be present to register.
There are scholarships called Becas that can end up paying for all your tuition plus books, room and board. The becas are run by the Ministry of Education, and there is a certain amount set aside for foreigners, just ask for the forms when you sign up. Even if you don’t get a beca, you’ll only pay about 800? a year for tuition.
People normally don’t stay in dorms when they go to college here as most schools don’t have dorms. A different and fun option is to call the different ads for roommates you’ll see around campus. A good price outside of Madrid and Barcelona is about 150-200? a month for a room. Plan on about 100? a month for food if it’s just you.
With a student’s visa you’ll be allowed to work 20 hours a week. That will also take care of your social security, which means you won’t need private insurance. Just go by your local Social Security office before you start looking for a job and sign up for your card.
You will meet so many international students if you decide to go to a public university. There is an excellent Erasmus program all throughout Europe. Also with the long holidays, you’ll have plenty of time for travel.
Remember that exams are only one per class here (that means one exam per semester or year- no pop quizzes, no tests, no papers, etc.), so you need to keep up with your individual studies every day if you plan to pass. Classes are normally in a lecture format and not very interactive- you’ll need to write a ton of notes or get a note buddy because the recommended books don’t always help.
Anyway, good luck and don’t be so serious. Spain is so much fun when you’re a student!!!
