GEOviedo

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Oviedo FAQs  prepared by & for students

**FAQs were compiled by Spring 2013 student, Sammi Jensen from the answeres provided  by  students on a survey.   They are subjective and simply meant to give prospective students an idea of what to expect.  If you can’t find the answer to the question you want, please email AHA student services and they will forward your questions to us.

What are classes like at Universidad de Oviedo?

Classes at the Universidad de Oviedo (or Uni Ovi) are taught through the “Casa de las Lenguas” Institutes This is a separate language building at the Universidad’s Milan Campus where  all the non-degree language courses, including Español para Extranjeros (ELE) are taught.   At ELE all clases are taught in Spanish and  attract students from many countries.   There are many Americans from all over the USA,  as well as students from Europe and Asia. As far as structure, classes are generally more relaxed than those in the United States. There is significantly less busy work and homework, and the students are responsible for their own learning. Most classes are also lecture based with Powerpoint slides, but there are a limited number of students in each class (15-30).

How much spending money should I bring?

Simply put, bring as much as you can! Spaniards tend to entertain outside of the home, so you will probably find yourself going to Cafes and restaurants often. It is easy to keep the cost of extra food down if you make a conscious effort, but there are many events involving food. Coffee is generally around 1 euro, and alcoholic drinks range from 1-4 euros unless you order something more elaborate. Travel is another big expense for students. This can depend greatly on where you travel to. Below are a few examples of different travel plans for students of a Spring Semester  (which includes a ten  day midterm break). Another budget to account for is clothing, shoes, and souveniers. Oviedo has lots of shopping, but most items are similarly priced to those in the United States.  I spent about 300 Euros ($380) on things like toiletries, meals at restaurants, and Spanish clothes. Keeping it down that low was a struggle!

How much should I budget for personal travel?

TRAVEL STUDENT A: I spent approximately 600 Euros (about $780) on travel, not including my food and souveniers from those places. This is mostly used for Spring Break, with 1 or 2 other small trips.

TRAVEL STUDENT B: Over spring break, there are 2 weeks off of school, so I spent some money to travel. I used a budget airline and cheap hostels, and planned it way in advance… and the total came out to about 300 euros.

TRAVEL STUDENT C: I have spent approximately $1300 on travel so far, and by the end I am guessing I will have spent about $1500-1600 (about 1,100 euros). However, this includes all travels for the 5 months, plus a week after school ends. I also included taxis, luggage fees, hostels, and all other taxes. These expenses include trips to Portugal (4 days), Pais Vasco (2 days), Barcelona (4 days), Mediterranean Cruise (Tunisia, Italy, France, 8 days), and Greece Islands (7 days). Some of the trips were scheduled on my own, and some I scheduled through ESN (see below). All trips were scheduled on a budget with cheap airlines, trains, and hostels.

What is the best way to travel while in Europe?

Cheap airlines can be the best option. Ryanair is the cheapest airline in Europe and if you plan your trip way in advance, you can find very cheap flights. Ryanair no longer uses the Asturias airport, but there are other companies such as Vueling, or Iberia, though that is a bit more expensive. Most of these budget airlines are known for being stingy with luggage and last minute fees, so make sure to be aware of added fees when booking. Buses (ALSA) are also a good second option, though sometimes they are more expensive and take more time than flights. The train (Renfe) is more comfortable than the bus and can be just as cheap, but availability depends on where you are going and when. For hostels, check out hostelworld.com.

In addition, there is a student group named ESN which plans trips and events for students. ESN is a group throughout Europe, and the Oviedo chapter is very active. There are weekly tapas nights to meet people, hikes around Asturias, futbol and pong competitions, and weekend trips around Spain and surrounding countries. The trips planned by ESN are very inexpensive as far as transportation, however are not always well organized and are often centered around partying.  This said, you can take advantage of the cheap transportation and  accomodations and explore on your own.

What is a typical day like in Oviedo?

The reason that I chose Oviedo was its lack of tourists. The word that I would use to describe daily life in Oviedo would be “normal.” In other words, there aren’t camera-covered tourists from all over the world running around site-seeing and yelling in English everywhere. It’s just a normal city with normal Spaniards living their lives. In class there are Americans, but outside of class there are few people speaking English, so you really are immersed in the culture. An average day consists of walking to class, sitting with friends in a café, volunteering, doing homework, going to the gym, and then spending time with friends at night. During the weekends the stores close and people spend time with family, and then many people like to go out until late at night.

Where do I buy a Spanish phone/how does this work?

There are many phone stores in Oviedo where you can buy a cheap pay as you go phone. Some common companies are Vodafone, Movistar, and Orange. Just go into one of the stores and ask for the cheapest phone without a contract, and they salesperson will take care of you.   The beauty of Spanish cell  phones is that incoming calls are free.   It costs money to send texts and use minutes, so most students try to avoid using phones unless necessary (Facebook messaging is very helpful when Wifi is available). Most phones cost between 15-40 euros, and then you will need to refill minutes when you run out. When you buy more minutes, you can either go back to the phone store, or you can go to any Tobacco shop. When buying more minutes, you simply give the salesperson your phone number and some money, and they put the minutes on for you.  (The rates change when you use your Spanish cell  pone out of the country.  If you are planning to use your pone while traveling outside of Spain ask the local staff members for advice.)

What is it like to stay with a host family?

Host families may be different from what you expect. Many are widowed women with older children, and many are families with kids. They are incredibly warm and hospitable, but also allow you to have your independence. Because they don’ want to “smother” the students, it’s very important to communicate with them as much as possible. They will be as close to you or as distant from you as you want, and will not force you to be a part of their family (this is both a positive and a negative thing, as it also falls on the students to make the connection happen). Be bold and communicate with you host family, and your experience will be positive. They try very hard to please you and make sure you get the best care, so be honest with them. Also, most students give their host families a small gift upon arriving, and another small gift in the middle of the term or when leaving. Some ideas are a bag of coffee, framed pictures, scarves, candles, soap, chocolates, etc.

What are some popular things to do in Oviedo?

Popular things in Oviedo include relaxing during the day at cafes or bars; going to bars, discotecas, restaurants or cafes at night ; shopping at Los Prados, Las Salesas, Calatrava, or Calle Uria; the movie theatre at Los Prados ; free young people’s activity nights sponsored by the city; hiking to El Cristo on Mount Naranco; exercising or relaxing at the many parks; going to the student center to study; and attending free ESN activities such as theatre productions and tapas nights. Also, for 2 to 3 euros, you can take a 30 minute bus to nearby cities such as Avilés and Gijón. These are beach towns with a lot to see and do.

What is the best way to get to Oviedo if I’m flying into Madrid?

The most efficient route is to fly to the Asturias airport, then a bus to the Oviedo bus station. At the airport, buses are waiting outside the terminal and are very easy to find. Simply ask the bus driver which one is going to Oviedo. The bus into the city takes about 30 minutes and is 7.50 euros. From the bus station in Oviedo, take a taxi to the AHA office. There is also an option to take a taxi from the airport to Oviedo, but you should then expect to pay 50-70 euros. For a cheaper route, you can take the bus from Madrid to Oviedo. It is around $70 and is an 5-6  hour bus ride. Some pros of the bus are that you can take as much luggage as you would like, and it takes you directly to Oviedo.

How does the AHA program at Oviedo work?

AHA is one great way that students can study abroad in Oviedo. It is a group that has its own office and resources, which can be invaluable. There are three people who work at the AHA Oviedo office: Carmen, Silvia, and Reme. Carmen is the site director and has lived in both the United States and Spain, so she speaks fluent English and Spanish and can understand problems from the US that you may be having. She also teaches the Intercultural Communications class and plans the excursions, which are required for AHA students. Silvia works to plan activities for students and also helps in the Intercultural Communications class. She is a native of Spain, but studied in England and also speaks English. Silvia is up-to-date on all of the popular things to do in Asturias, so she is a great resource or person to talk to. Reme is also a native of Spain and coordinates all of the host families and relationships between students and Spaniards. She does not speak English, but knows many people in the community and is always willing to help out if there is a misunderstanding. She lives in the city and is available to help students communicate with host families, salespersons, or other community members. Both Reme and Silvia are in the office every weekday from 11-4. Each of the AHA staff plays a crucial role in providing students with benefits they would not otherwise have in Oviedo.

How are grades determined in my classes at La Casa de las Lenguas (the University of Oviedo)?

Depending on your home university, you may take classes for a grade (A-F) or as pass/fail. All of the professors take attendance, and students may not miss more than 20% of their classes. Participation is a large part of the grade, as there is not as much homework given. Most classes have 1-3 tests throughout the term. A syllabus is available for each class offered. Also, grading is different than the usual scale used in the United States.

Are there any volunteer opportunities in Oviedo?

There is a children’s school across the street from the Universidad, where it is possible to volunteer. You will help the English teachers with their lessons, or simply speak to the children in English and in Spanish to help them practice. Upon arrival, Reme will ask who wants to volunteer and opportunities will be organized through her.  (There are other venues and opportunities for community service in Oviedo as well.  If you are interested, contact the site staff before you come)

What should I expect upon arriving?

On arrival day, when you get to the office, your host family will come to pick you up! Everything will be a whirlwind, but don’t worry – it will slow down! The city is small enough to walk everywhere, which may be a change. You will meet the others in the AHA program the day after arriving, and soon after that, you will take your placement test for the Universidad. Then, classes will begin! It may all seem very sudden, but it will help make the transition smoother. If your flight does not arrive until after the AHA office closes, email Carmen, Reme, or Silvia, as well as your host family. They will tell you where to go, and many times you will just take a taxi straight to your homestay, where your family will be waiting for you.

Do many people in Oviedo speak English? Are there many tourists?

There are not many people who speak English in Oviedo, including the host families. Some of the children of host families do speak English, but many of the parents do not. It has become popular for younger people to study English, and therefore more college aged students speak English than the older generations. This is a great benefit for American students. Although it may be scary to be in a country that uses a different language, it is truly an immersion program and your Spanish is almost guaranteed to improve. Every day it gets easier!

How will I know that my credits will transfer?

Make sure that you have as much as possible sorted out with your home university before you arrive. It will make everything much simpler. Everyone has a different situation with classes, and it is important to inform your home university of your placement test level and all of the specifications of your classes once classes at the Universidad are finalized. There is a placement exam at the beginning of the program, and UniOvi will place you in a level. All classes you take will be in your designated level, and you will be able to pick your classes after placements have been determined. Make sure to have regular communication with your home university the first couple of weeks, so that you can confirm your credits and their transfer values.

How do I register for classes?

The actual class registration happens once you arrive in Oviedo. After your placement test, you will be able to register for the classes directly, and will need to do so with AHA and with forms which the Universidad provides. It is extremely important that you realize that registering for classes directly at the Universidad (not in La Casa de Las Lenguas, but within the actual Universidad) is very challenging. Direct Enrollment is offered to advanced students, and can be very challenging because you are with Spanish students only. The classes at La Casa are designed for exchange students and therefore tend to cater more to the needs of American students. Also, classes within Casa and within the Universidad are often offered at the same times, so they will conflict, and you will probably not be able to take both.

What is the weather like in Oviedo?

The weather is very similar to that of Portland, Oregon. It is cold and rainy in Fall, Winter, and Early Spring. As it gets closer to summer, the weather tends to get warmer and sunnier, but is never extremely hot. If you are coming for Fall or Spring semesters, make sure to bring an umbrella, a good jacket, and waterproof shoes, or plan to buy some here. Also make sure to pack slippers and scarves, as host families tend to worry about your neck and feet being exposed.

I’ve never traveled by myself, help! What are some good travel tips?

Wear layers on the flights so that you can bring as much clothing with you as possible. However, for weekend trips out of Oviedo realize that you do not need as much luggage and clothes when you travel as you think you do! When going through security, make sure to keep pockets empty and wear shoes that are easy to take on and off. In your carry-on make sure to pack an extra outfit or two, in case your luggage gets lost and takes a couple days to get back. Also, if flying into Madrid and then taking a flight to Oviedo, you are often not told your gate. The Madrid airport generally does not declare the gates until a couple of hours before the flight, so make sure to stick by the reader board and wait for your gate to be declared. If it is declared as multiple letters, that means you need to head towards those gates, and your specific number will be declared later (For example, HJK means it will be any gate in either H,J, or K and has not been determined yet).

How big is Oviedo?

Oviedo is a city, but a small one compared with many large US cities and compared to Madrid or Barcelona. The population of Oviedo is about 225,000 people. The entire city is small enough to walk most everywhere, although there are reliable buses that run regularly. Oviedo is the capital of Asturias and is the center of business. In the city center there are many people dressed in high fashion and business clothing, as appearance is also very important. Although at first the city may feel large, it quickly becomes easy to navigate and people start to look familiar. Therefore, Oviedo often seems like a small town disguised as a big city! It really is the best of both worlds!

Is there a gym that I can join?

Yes, Oviedo has many gyms. There is one owned by the University, but it is not on the same campus as the Humanities Campus where you will study.  Many students opt to join a private gym close to their house, or to just run outside on the street or in the park. Most gyms cost between 20-60 euros a month.

Should I expect to have classes every day?

Yes, classes at Casa are held Monday through Friday from 9-3. You will choose up to 5 classes, so you will not have class every day from 9-3. However, the first class offered starts at 9, and the last class offered ends at 3. In addition, the Intercultural Communications class through AHA is scheduled on Mondays after Casa classes finish, and the visiting professor’s classes will also be after Casa classes finish in the afternoon.

Where can I get more information?

You can find more information on the AHA website, on the Oviedo center website, or on government websites! The Oviedo Center has been designed by the AHA staff and past students specifically to address information that future students will find useful, so make sure to explore it fully! This website will also link you to other webs with interesting information on the locality.   You may also email the AHA staff at any time to ask questions, and they will get back to you as quickly as possible.   Finally, the Spanish government’s website is http://www.spain.info/en/ven/otros-destinos/oviedo.html , and is very helpful for basic information covering the city.