Things To Know Before Coming to Spain

If you have decided to study Spanish in Spain, beforeleaving on your trip you should keep a few facts in mind that might be useful during your stay.

When planning your trip, check to see if you need to obtain a visa. Citizens of non-European Union countries have to apply for the specific type of visa required for their home country. If you are a non-European citizen, you’ll need to present the admission papers sent to you by your Spanish language school along with other required documents that are listed on the Spanish Embassy’s website.

The official language spoken in Spain is Castilian (Castellano), yet you might hear other dialects in different regions. In Galicia, local people generally speak Galician; in the Basque Country, Basque is the common language. In Catalonia (of which Barcelona is the capital), Catalan is the co-official language as well as in the Balearic Islands and in the Valencian Community.

There are 17 autonomous communities in Spain, many of which are famous for their historical backgrounds. Andalusia and Castile and Leon for example have rich pasts, as does Don Quixote’s home of Castile-La Mancha.

Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula, where endless opportunities await to enjoy the sun and sea. The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are also charming Spanish holiday destinations that feature sunny weather and stunning beaches.

Spanish is the official language of 21 countries including most Latin American countries and it is the second most common language in the world, which helps explain why so many international students arrive in Spain each year to learn Spanish. Remember that taking Spanish classes before you arrive will give you a big advantage for when you practice with native speakers once you’re in Spain.

Business hours in Spain will likely be different than those of your home country. The banks and government agencies work from 8.30 to 14 and the stores are open between the hours of 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m. -9 p.m. You may find a lot of places closed at midday, but you can spend that time by having a nice long lunch and perhaps resting afterwards.

Spaniards often enjoy chatting; you may find yourself talking at great length with a Spaniard on a single matter. This is one of the charming characteristic of Spanish culture, where people are happy to share and engage with people of other cultures.

In big cities like Madrid and Barcelona, the cost of living is higher than it is in other Spanish cities, yet not as high as in many other European cities. If you’re a student on a budget, one possibility may be to choose an economical city such as Salamanca as a study destination, and from there you can make shorter trips to other Spanish cities you’d like to see.

Spain is ranked as one of the best countries to live in according to living and health quality. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine and delicious tapas.

Prepare for a life-changing experience full of history, cultural richness, fun and above all the excitement of learning Spanish!