When Beatriz and Carlota chose Zaragoza as their Erasmus destination, they didn’t really know where they were going. They were unfamiliar with the city and did not speak Spanish fluently. Today, after almost a year in the Aragonese capital, they speak naturally about its streets, late schedules, and their favorite spots. What started as an academic decision has turned into a profoundly transformative experience.
Beatriz, from Turin, and Carlota, from southern Italy, are studying Veterinary Medicine and arrived in Zaragoza in September. They chose this city based on recommendations from their professors at the University of Turin, who have an active collaboration with the Zaragoza faculty. Additionally, the subjects easily fitted into their study plan, which facilitated the credit transfer.
From the beginning, everything was new. “I had no idea what Zaragoza was like,” admits Beatriz. However, the unknown soon became a discovery. The classes, all in Spanish, posed an initial challenge, especially for Beatriz, who did not speak the language. “Now I understand almost everything,” she says, although both acknowledge that the real challenge was adapting to the schedules. “Everything is very late here!” jokes Carlota. They have ended up eating at ten at night and going out at eleven, “like Spaniards.”
Academically, they have found a more intense practical training than in Italy. The opportunity to work directly with animals in well-equipped spaces has been one of the most valued aspects. “The internships are longer and more complete,” notes Carlota.
Although they have made more Erasmus friends than Spanish ones at the university, they feel integrated into the university environment. «Many students go back to their hometowns on the weekends, so we end up relating more with people from outside,» they explain. They live a ten-minute walk from the university, which allows them to move around on foot, both for studying and exploring the city.
Among their favorite places are the Parque Grande, the Basilica del Pilar, and cafés like Petit Croissant and Gran Café Zaragozano. For future students, they recommend exploring the city on foot: “Zaragoza is very peaceful, and you can visit everything on foot.”
An essential part of their experience has been traveling. “Almost every weekend we make some trip,” says Carlota. They have explored both the nearby natural areas and cities like Madrid, Salamanca, Barcelona, Bilbao, and San Sebastián. For Beatriz, the highlight was a getaway to Morocco with other Erasmus students. For Carlota, the shared trips with her friend were unforgettable.
Regarding cultural differences, they have experienced small surprises rather than clashes: “Here, older people go out at night, which doesn’t happen in Italy,” says Beatriz. What they both share is the perception that people in Zaragoza are open and friendly.
Although neither plans to stay in Spain permanently, they recommend the experience without hesitation. “A year or a few months here changes a lot of things,” they assert. What’s their advice? Live with local or international students to learn the language, go out, enjoy the city… and bring a good coat. “It’s very windy here,” they recall with laughter. But neither the cierzo has overshadowed what has been a key stage in their academic and personal lives.
