I’ve been studying here a little over a month and I’ve been told that I’ve adapted extremely well considering it’s my first time in Europe. But to be a Spaniard on top of being European came even more as a challenge considering it’s a more “traditional” state. Below are some issues I’ve encountered and integrated into my lifestyle since living abroad.
- Use Cash Everywhere
- You would definitely look like a foreigner if you used your credit or debit card everywhere, especially for anything under €20. In America, it’s super typical for me to use my card for everything, I hardly carry cash on me. It’s normally for Americans to never use their coins and even stash a jar of collected coins to later turn in for bigger bills because they are so unused. But here, you use down to every last cent.
- Use a Bus Pass and Walk Everywhere
- Normally the public bus costs €1.05 if you don’t have any sort of pass. But being a student, I get one of the biggest discounts per trip and only have to pay €0.77 every time I use it. I have a card that I load money on, usually about 20 to 30 trips and that will last me about 3 weeks. But don’t get too comfortable with the bus system because the best way to learn the map of a city is by walking. When I first got here I didn’t know the roads at all so I just took the bus everywhere no matter how close or far. It wasn’t until I started walking to get to places that I really came to know every turn of the city. It took me a solid 3 weeks to feel like I knew the city rather well. I only use the bus to go to and from school campuses because I’m on a strict timeline. If not, I’m fine with walking to the center of city to meet with some friends that take around 25 minutes (if the weather is bearable).
- Normally the public bus costs €1.05 if you don’t have any sort of pass. But being a student, I get one of the biggest discounts per trip and only have to pay €0.77 every time I use it. I have a card that I load money on, usually about 20 to 30 trips and that will last me about 3 weeks. But don’t get too comfortable with the bus system because the best way to learn the map of a city is by walking. When I first got here I didn’t know the roads at all so I just took the bus everywhere no matter how close or far. It wasn’t until I started walking to get to places that I really came to know every turn of the city. It took me a solid 3 weeks to feel like I knew the city rather well. I only use the bus to go to and from school campuses because I’m on a strict timeline. If not, I’m fine with walking to the center of city to meet with some friends that take around 25 minutes (if the weather is bearable).
- Don’t Buy More Groceries Than You Can Carry
- This is a big one. In America we drive to the supermarket and have this huge rolling cart to fit enough food to last too long for my taste. But here the food is very fresh and has much less preservatives so you only buy for what you need the next couple days to a week. The Alimerka store is only a 2-3 minute walking distance from my apartment but coming back from the grocery it’s uphill. I always bring my school backpack and upon checkout fill it up so I have to carry less. Also, it’s extremely uncommon to spend €50 or more in one trip. Whereas in America, it’s easy to spend anywhere between $150 to $300 in one shopping trip.
- Actually Relax on Sundays
- Spain is a very traditional country but it did surprise me when I first arrived here that everything is closed on Sundays. Yes, even the groceries, sorry mom. So I am basically forced to rest on Sundays and catch up on whatever work I have. I love it but at the same time it can be frustrating. Oh, on top of that most stores here are closed between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. So make sure you actually use “siesta” time to your advantage.
- Stay out Late on Weekends
- They eat dinner late here and party until even later. Dinner is between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The outting here are ridiculously late compared to America. Clubs in America close by 3 a.m. and usually no one is partying after that point. But here, bars and “Discos” are open all hours of the night or until most the people have gone home. Apparently here in Oviedo there is a disco that doesn’t even open until 5 a.m. because it’s the after party place. But most nights that I am out, no one even considers going home until 3 a.m. and usually we are home and in bed by 4:30 or 5 a.m. But for those reading this freaking out that I am out all hours and how dangerous. Tranquilla, because Oviedo is one of the safest cities in all of Spain. And actually the cleanest, every time I walk home late at night there are workers spraying down the streets with water. Every night.
So now, if you ever have an extended stay in Spain, you know what to expect and how to semi blend in with the locals. It’s so much more fun to be a local of a foreign community than the typical tourist. Enjoy the culture and embrace it to it’s fullest!
Adventures With Erica 