Greetings from Spain!
I chose to apply for an opportunity to have my practical training placed in Valencia, Spain. Bluntly speaking, the first month in the city was not easy. All the bureaucracy (which can only be done after arrival in the country) to get through the paperwork was lengthy and demanding. Most of the locals can’t speak English, even in departments that deal with foreign affairs, and although I already had good Spanish skills, all of it was a challenge to overcome.
Also, it was quite difficult to realize I would have to change my level of awareness when in public, as petty crimes are on the rise in bigger Spanish cities, such as Valencia. Unluckily, I was a victim of a couple of them in the first weeks, which tampered with my view of the whole experience. After starting to mentally recover from such incidents, I let my extroverted side out and started making new friends, going out and discovering that the city did have a lot to offer.
Music, dance, food, you name a kind, and you will find it. I went out most of the evenings and free days, and there was always something to do or see. As the third largest city in Spain, you can find almost every cuisine around, and I lucked out by living next to one of my home country’s restaurants and could always run there for some comfort food.
Valencian beaches might not be as impressive as other beaches along the Spanish coast, but to be able to eat an authentic Paella, listening to the sea waves, paired with an ice cold pinta (pint), was one of my favorite things to do on my time off. Valencia also offers a large variety of parks, and its large infrastructure gets you anywhere in the country quickly by bus, train, or airplane. Although these were heavily impacted by La Dana floods that hit Valencia by the end of October, continuous efforts to bring the city back to its previous shape are still ongoing.
The weather can be extreme during the summer, lasting all the way till October, when it starts getting chillier at night, but when it gets, cold, it is COLD! Most apartments are not insulated, and heaters have to be separately purchased, and the energy bill if you use it too often is quite steep. Otherwise, be prepared to have 13-15° inside your place. It often feels warmer outside than inside.
Working in Spain was a huge contrast to working in Finland. I faced problems with the place I was supposed to complete the whole exchange period, but due to disagreements that had no solution in sight, I had to switch places. My second place made my experience better but also highlighted the local ways to deal with work life, and I had to come to terms with it to finish my exchange.
In the end, the exchange was a valuable experience, and I would recommend everyone to do it if you have the chance. Now I look forward to my studies exchange!
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