Salamanca

While I was in Salamanca for my Erasmus, and back from my Christmas holiday, I started having severe pains in my uterus and stomach and a high fever. Therefore, I decided to go to a semi-private hospital close to home for a first check-up and a gynaecological clinic for a second one. In the end, I was hospitalised for a few weeks for examinations and treatments due to an infection found in my bladder. Thanks to the insurance taken out through the university at the beginning of my mobility (compulsory and for a modest cost of 19 euros per year), the two private examinations were covered directly and entirely by it, as well as a rather expensive medicine. Therefore, I was very grateful to the university for making the insurance compulsory and thus guaranteeing me free access to treatment. But I am also grateful to my Italian health insurance card, also valid as a European health insurance card, which guaranteed me access to free hospitalisation in the public hospital. Hence, my personal advice is to check that your National health card (if European) is valid throughout Europe, or then obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before departure. From that day on, whenever I leave abroad and especially for long-term stays, I always take out insurance and find out about the local health system.

While on Erasmus in Salamanca, I was able to attend two events emblematic of the city's tradition. Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca! Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca!

Founded in the 13th century, Salamanca is the second oldest university city in Europe and is seen as one of the most beautiful universities in the world. Getting lost in the narrow streets of the city and admiring its monuments made of Villamayor stone, a light beige sandstone, was my favourite pastime. As a first stop, I went in search of the small frog carved on the large entrance wall of the university. Apparently, according to legend, if you manage to find it, you will be blessed with good luck and pass all your exams (which actually happened ;)). Then, another mandatory stop is Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, a magical place that is almost deserted in the morning and quite crowded in the evening, with students and families coming to admire and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the illuminated arcades and balconies. Finally, a place of the heart where I went to relax, think and find some inner peace was the riverside, connected to the city by the famous Roman Bridge. From there, it was possible to admire the majestic cathedral of Salamanca and meet many companions by chance. It was probably not only my favourite place!