TWO STUDENTS, ONE GOAL: EXPERIENCE SPAIN WITH ALL SENSES

Zoe and Stefanie are studying International Business Studies at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol and are spending their semester abroad together at the Universidad de Valladolid in Spain. They quickly realised that they wanted to experience the culture up close. They have been studying at the partner university since September 2024 and are enjoying every moment to the full.

VALLADOLID WAS A STROKE OF LUCK

The partner university was not the first choice, but the Universidad de Valladolid proved to be the perfect choice. For Zoe and Stefanie, it was important to learn the language and experience the culture, and the city offers the opportunity to gain authentic experiences far away from mass tourism - full of tempo, lively and yet relaxed.

Compared to their everyday life in Austria, Zoe and Stefanie appreciate the cultural differences in Spain. They find everyday life there more relaxed: Meal times are much later, yet conversations are more personal, lively and often more emotional than at home. They quickly made their first friends in their new environment, which enriched their everyday lives.

Despite making new friends locally, they did not miss the opportunity to visit a friend and fellow student in Porto, who was spending her semester abroad there. Exciting short trips followed, for example to cities around Valladolid such as Santander and León, where they were able to sample traditional cuisine as well as regional wines. Other trips to the south of Spain and the Canary Islands were also on the programme. The absolute favourite? That was Madrid! The metropolis was only around two to three hours away by car and impressed with its diversity, energy and cultural density. So it's no wonder that they travelled there several times.

BETWEEN PLEASURE AND STUDY

In addition to their private experiences, they also explored the campus and everyday student life in Spain. Similar to the FH Kufstein Tirol, the courses are practical and personalised, with a particular focus on cultural exchange. The lectures are well distributed throughout the week and offer them new insights through different teaching styles and learning methods. The courses started late in the afternoon and sometimes lasted into the evening, which reflected the lifestyle of the Spaniards. Looking back, they themselves recognise how much more open and independent they have become on site and how they have mastered the language barriers step by step. With language skills at B1/B2 level, they were able to cope well in their everyday lives and at university. The exchange with locals, mastering everyday tasks and taking part in courses in Spanish were particularly valuable for their personal language development.

Despite the great anticipation, Zoe and Stefanie also needed some help with orientation at the beginning, as the digital infrastructure for organising their studies was unfamiliar at first. However, thanks to the personal support and a clear contact person at the partner university, they quickly felt that they were in good hands. In addition, the International Relations Office at FH Kufstein Tirol was there to support them - especially with questions that could not be fully clarified by the partner university.

EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE

For students who are about to spend a semester abroad, Zoe and Stefanie advise them to find out about courses and accommodation early on and to choose a country that really interests them culturally when choosing a partner university.

They themselves were very lucky in their search for accommodation, as the housing market is also critical in Vlladolid. Using the housing search portal Idealista, they found a nice flat in the centre where they lived together.

They would also recommend Valladolid as a city, as it is located north of Madrid in the Castilla y León region and has good transport links - ideal for short trips to explore Spain and the region in particular.

Links:

• International Business Studies | ft
• International Relations Office
• Universidad de Valladolid | Website