Studying for the First Time Abroad

First time abroad?

Study abroad: a few tips for first timers. 
 
Living and studying in a foreign country is rather different from simply  travelling through.  Stocking up at the supermarket (and lugging it all back  to your flat), going to a breakfast place where the barman smiles hello,  having a Spanish mobile with a few Spanish numbers in it  - little things  that make you feel more citizen and less sightseer.    
It can feel a bit scary at the beginning but often the best things do. 

Here  are a few tips and trouble shooters: 

1)  Transfer to Salamanca. 
If you can, either take our transfer bus or a direct public coach from the  airport (www.avanzabus.com – we will book your ticket for you. Try and avoid the public coach plus metro combo via the  centre of Madrid as often less-than-lovely types lurk on the metro ready to  relieve you of your precious belongings. 

2)  First Evening in Salamanca. 
First moments can be exciting, a bit nerve-racking, a let down, a relief.  You might love your landlady or hit it off with your flatmate from the first  moment.  But perhaps your flatmates aren't home, or you feel a bit odd at  the beginning in someone else's house. Don't sit on your bed feeling sad!  Make your way to the Plaza Mayor, order a glass of something and take up a position by a window or on a terrace to watch the world go by. 

3)  First Day at school. 
You'll have an early start and a busy morning, with a break mid-morning when  you'll join your classmates for a coffee in one of the nice bars near ISLA.  Don't forget your newcomers meeting at 1400 - and don't' panic about being  late for lunch - it's only 20 minutes or so.  Do sign up for activities -  they offer a good chance for you to meet people who are not in your class.  Don't miss the party at ISLA if there is one, however tired you are. 

4)  Salamancan Life     
You'll have plenty of free time too yourself and how you fill it will depend on you.  Some people go to lots of monuments and museums,  others go to sleep!  Summer months see most students heading off in little groups to the parks and the pool. Some of our students enjoy cooking for each other -  shopping at the market is an enormous pleasure and good for Spanish practice! Sporty students join each other for morning jogs or evening gym!  Almost every student will enjoy a few tapas tours – whether organized  by ISLA or not.  From time to time  people rent a car and go off on a day trip.  Do feel free to stick up a sign  at school to find a chum to join you on your chosen scheme.  continue reading