University of Huelva
How did you draw up your Learning Agreement?
Initially I chose the study courses stated on the webpage of the receiving university, and then I needed to have those courses approved by the head of my study programme at RSU. This went swiflty and caused no problems. The selection of the courses available in English was not too wide, morover, several courses were cancelled shortly before my arrival to the receiving university.
When choosing the study courses make sure to check which languages they are provided in and whether or not the desired courses overlap.
How is the study process organized in the receiving university? What is different compared to RSU?
Because of the pandemic in the world, it was unsure whether the study process would be organised remotely or onsite. The receiving university in Spain supposed that the onsite study process might resume any moment, so I needed to be physically present in Spain, however, the onsite work never resumed.
The study process was remote. Lectures and classes were held on four days, on average I had 2 lectures a day, however each lecture lasts 2-3 hours. I made my timetable myself, when choosing the study courses.
Mostly the courses had two types of assesment I could choose from - continuous assessment or final assessment. Continuous assessment ment regular presence in lectures and actively participating in them. This is where you are assessed based on your group works, individual works and exam, which is divided in sevar parts and written over the course of the semester. The final assesment means that you have to write one final exam covering all of the topics of the study course at the end of the semester (in this case there is no requirement to be present and active throughout the semester).
What were the living conditions?
In Huelva students rent apartments; there is no student housing, dormitories, etc., that are usual in Latvia.
Together with my coursmate from Latvia and an exchange student from Poland we rented a three room apartment in a very good location. It was near the central square, bus station, stores and the main locations in the city. The apartment had everything we needed, however, as the electricity is quite expensive in Spain, the heating was provided with gas cylinder, adn we needed to remember to regularly buy a new one. The price for renting a room in this city is on average 200-250 €/month. The price often includes regular cleaning services, but you must discuss this with the owner individually.
Even though students can receive help when looking for the apartment, it is a paid service, so we looked for one ourselves. You can find the rentable apartments on Huelva's Erasmus+ students' Facebook groups.
Did the Erasmus+ grant cover the living expenses?
When goind on Erasmus+ mobility you receive both the RU grant and Latvian grant. I received 100% if the money before leving Latvia, which made me carefully consider and follow my expenses, and divide them in months.
If you live frugally, the grant covers the living expenses in Spain. It does not cover the travel to and from the receiving university. Travelling the country, which I consider to be a vital part of mobility, will also require additional spending money.
Your advice and recommendations for others choosing this city for their mobility
Even though the main building and sevarel faculties of University of Huelva are loceted outside of the city centre, I would still recommend looking for an apartment in the centre (near "Plaza de las Monjas" or "Plaza de la Merced"); this way all the more important things and plaices are near.
I also recommend to be vary careful when choosing the place to live, because during the mobility I heard several negative stories about fraudulent activity.
The best memory or experience from Erasmus+ mobility
The smaller trips planned together with my friends will remain in my memory as the best - the stunning nature, the late evenings, trouble with renting a car, the ocean, Sun and amazing people all around.
The most valuable realization or lesson you have learned
Learn to fully enjoy the opportynity to be hear and now, not letting fear, longing and other emotions stand in the way.
