The Story I Wish I Had Read
By: Another international student (like you).
When I decided to come study in Spain, I felt a mix of excitement and terror. I’d read countless practical guides, compared cities, calculated expenses… but still, I felt like I was jumping into the void.
Today, after months here, I want to tell you what no one told me, what I learned the hard way, and what I wish I’d known before landing.
1. ✈️ The landing is literal… and emotional
No matter how prepared you think you are, arriving in a new country is a shock of emotions. Everything is different: the schedules, the weather, the language, the accents, the streets. And while that’s part of the adventure, it’s also overwhelming.
👉 My advice: Give it time to adapt. You don’t need to have everything under control the first month. No one does.
2. 🏠 Finding accommodation can be exhausting (and stressful)
Finding a place to live kept me up at night. I visited absurd places, received scam emails, and nearly paid for a room that didn’t even exist.
Luckily, I met Global Student, who helped me find a real apartment, with real people, in a safe area. And I slept peacefully.
👉 My advice: Don’t improvise your home. Do it with real help or recommendations.
3. 🛂 Paperwork is a separate language
NIE (National Identity Document), census, visa, appointment, certified documents, sworn translations… Excuse me? What’s all that?
Procedures in Spain can be slow and bureaucratic. Don’t underestimate the time and energy they require.
👉 My advice: seek professional support. I lost weeks because I didn’t fully understand the process.
4. 💬 Not knowing Spanish isolates you more than you think
I thought I could get by with English… until I went to the supermarket, the doctor, or to run errands.
Language is much more than words: it’s access to local life. And speaking even the basics changes your experience completely.
👉 My advice: start practicing now. Don’t wait until you’re in Spain to learn.
5. 👥 The most important thing you take away is not academic credits
Of course, studying is important, but what has changed me the most are the people I’ve met.
I’ve made friends from all over the world. I’ve learned to eat alone. To say “yes” to new things. To understand myself better.
👉 My advice: Get out of your comfort zone. Life begins there.
🌱 If you’re coming, you’re not alone
If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling the same way I did a few months ago: scared, excited, and filled with questions.
Don’t hold back your doubts. There are people and services that can help you. I found mine at Global Student, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it saved me from a lot of headaches.
📩 Solicita tu asesoría gratuita aquí
💡 O mira los servicios que ofrecen.
🎒 My summary?
Coming to study in Spain was the best decision of my life. But it wasn’t easy. And that’s okay.
If I could talk to my past self, I’d say: don’t try to do everything alone. Ask for help. There are people who’ve been there and want you to do better.
