• For European citizens, Spain is great because of its famous beaches, casual lifestyle and laid-back atmosphere. For those from eastern countries, it represents a door to another culture.
• For North, Central, and South America, Spain is important because of the language. Given that the Spanish language is native to Central and South America and the most important foreign language in the United States.

Given all that, Spain has opportunities for many countries to send their students to a student exchange program. 

Since there are more and more international students in Spain every year we wanted to help them. We thought we’d put together a list of the best tips on how to prepare for the life of international students in Spain.

Sun, sun, and SUN!

Spain is very sunny! Even in winter and autumn, most of the days, the sun just follows you wherever you go. During the summer and middle fall, it can be dangerous to walk around the town without sun protection.

Sun is the brightest between 4:30 and 7:30 in the afternoon, so don’t let the hours fool you! A hat along that sun protection is also a good choice, and well, a bottle of water. Even if your skin is naturally darker and usually doesn’t burn – in Spain, it will. Bring sunscreen!

Cold nights in Spain

Spain usually doesn’t have cold winters, nor cold autumns. The temperature usually doesn’t drop below 4 Celsius, but here is a catch. 

Many people in Spain don’t have central heating systems at home because they don’t need heating for 10 out of 12 months. I don’t know about family homes, but most rental places for international students in Spain don’t have a heating system.

The problem begins when the 4 Celsius outside becomes 4 Celsius inside. This may be a normal temperature for the outside, but it’s too cold for your bedroom.

So, without a jumper and good fluffy sleepers in your home, you will freeze. When you are freezing in your home, you are also freezing outside. So, it’s an inescapable circle that makes winter seem harsher than in Northern countries.

Yes, there are small heaters that can help you during the winter; but they will double your energy bills. And since the homes are built to keep the heat away so you could survive summers, they also chase away the heat the minute you turn off the electric heater. 

If you see a circular hole in the dining table, that’s a hole for the heater.

Also, buy a scarf – Spain may not be cold, but it’s windy. Especially at night. So, please, this is not your grandma speaking, but, please, cover-up!

Nightlife in Spain

The majority of the country uses the standard Central European Time (GMT +1). Because of the differences with Central European countries, this time zone makes the sun in Spain rise around 8 AM and settle around 9 PM. In the summers, you can see the sun even at 10 PM. If you are not used to this, it’s pretty weird at first.

Besides these naturally late days, Spanish people LOVE late nights! Nightlife is one of the things international students in Spain love the most!

Spaniards normally start their days around 9 AM and have dinner around 10 PM. When they go out – and they do love going out a lot – they don’t go out before 1 AM.

And this is still pretty early. Most clubs open around 1 AM but don’t get crowded until 3 AM.
So if you are planning on going out, I suggest taking a siesta in the evening, because you’ll need a lot of energy at 2 AM!

Spanish kiss greeting

Spanish people greet each other by kissing two times on each cheek, starting from the right cheek. These kisses are not exactly real kisses, but more like a kiss in the air while your cheeks touch.

Shaking hands is acceptable only in very formal situations or between men. On any other occasion, men and women and two women will kiss to greet.

In Spain, you will not kiss only your friends, but anybody that you meet and greet. It’s a custom, and it would be weird if you would try and shake their hands. It doesn’t depend on age or status either, so prepare to kiss your friend’s mother or even your teacher if the environment is casual.

Siesta culture

The middle of the day in Spain is reserved for a siesta. A siesta (nap time) starts around 2 PM and lasts until 5 PM. Even though it means “taking a nap”, siesta in Spanish culture is much more than that.

During this time, most shops, stores, and restaurants close. They open again at 5-6 in the afternoon. But around 2-3 PM, the cities almost turn into ghost towns.

Siesta is a time for everyone to take a break from their work and go home to rest, take a nap, or have a hot lunch. Of course, nobody is obligating you to go home or take a nap, but you will have a hard time finding an open spot to have lunch.

You’ll see that days in Spain have a unique rhythm. Even if you are used to working 10 hours a day, in time you will learn how to relax. In Spain, it’s not a sin to have a rest and gather energy for the rest of the day.

It can be hard to grasp this at first, but you will find a way to appreciate it. Believe us, siesta culture rules!

Tapas culture

Snacking is a big part of Spanish culture. Those snacks are called Tapas. Tapas are served in every bar (except nightclubs) and with every round of your drinks. Tapas culture is a big part of social life in Spain.

Every day is a tapas day. After a long day of studying or working, or just to get out of the house and meet some friends, tapas are a great solution.

Spanish people are very social, so they love hanging out with friends. They are also very family-oriented and like to spend time with their families at dinner parties and tapas.

While in most countries, Fridays are meant for parties and going out, in Spain Friday evening is for tapas and dinner. Friends and families go out and enjoy each other’s company while partying goes on Thursdays and Saturdays.

If you are afraid of getting out of shape because of the tapas culture, you will see you are wrong. Spaniards also have a big culture of training and jogging. They eat and drink a lot, but they are also very fit and take care of themselves.

Life in Spain is hedonistic but healthy. I can guarantee that their life philosophy will enlighten you.

Traffic in Spain

Traffic in Spain is very chaotic and confusing. If you come from well-structured and rule-oriented countries, you will be a little lost for the first two days.

First, Spanish streets are super narrow, which makes most of them a one-way street. Second, Spain is the third European country with the most density per capita of roundabouts. This surely makes traffic, well… more fun! 😀

Traffic in Madrid, Spain

Also, traffic lights are not the most respected thing in the country. It’s not that Spanish people do illegal stuff, but sometimes they have more fate in themselves than a traffic light. And this system works, surprisingly.

Spanish drivers respect other drivers and passengers more than in other countries. They may not stop at every red light in minor streets, but they will gladly stop in the middle of the driving area for someone to cross over.

Also, the zebras are a bit strangely put. Passengers sometimes have a hard time finding the place to cross from point A to point B. Drivers understand this and respect it. So, there’s that.

All in all, the traffic in Spain may be chaotic, but it is also super respectable towards others.

If you, however, do wrong by someone (cross their way, cause an accident, block their car, etc.), then prepare for… let’s call it a lecture. Spanish people may be nice and respectful towards others, but when you cross them, you sure will remember it. They know how to fight their fights and are not afraid to defend themselves.

Active life

Spanish people love to walk, hike, and jog. We already said that they look fantastic, and even in their 70’s. This is because they love strolling the town with friends, and how most of the cities are steep, they walk every day up and down.

During our life in Spain, we were in the best shape of our lives. It is because we would walk every day half an hour down to the faculty and then half an hour back up.

There are buses, metros, cars, and motors, but if you can walk – why not walk? Madrid or Barcelona are huge cities, so without public transportation, you are very limited. But if a city is smaller like Jaen was – there is no need for a bus; only if you are in a big rush.

The most common personal vehicle is a motorcycle or a scooter. Because the streets are narrow and steep, it is easier to get around on those than in a car. If you are a driver, some agencies rent scooters and bicycles for international students in Spain.

Bicycle is a good idea wherever you go, but maybe not so much in Spain. It would require excellent skill and physical condition to ride the bicycle uphill.

Bicycle is not a good idea in Spain

We had a roommate who rode his bike down the faculty every morning – a piece of cake – he was there in 5 minutes. But, whenever he was returning home, he pushed the bike back up. So, you decide which is easier – walking or cycling.

Festive days

Spain has a lot of festive days. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. They have at least one day off every couple of weeks (not counting weekends). Whether it’s a saint day or a feria – or close to some saint or a feria – it’s a day off.

When Spanish people work, they are super focused and productive. Their schools and faculties have very active and engaged students. Professors give their 100% to their lectures and their students, and so do employees of other branches. But because of that – they love to take breaks.

First, we had a siesta, and now we have whole days off. These days are not some lazy sit-at-home days. They are reserved for get-togethers, parties, hobbies, excursions, etc.

So some would say that Spanish people are lazy – but I assure you, THEY ARE NOT. They are very active and productive in their lives, and that is the main reason they are happy, relaxed, and look amazing!

Informal speaking

In Spain, it is a custom to refer to everyone by their name (even nickname). It is not usual to use a formal way of addressing.

Some languages have formal ways of addressing strangers, people with higher status or older by age, and so does the Spanish language. But even though they have this formal addressing thing, they use it only in super-formal situations or with the elderly (sometimes).

At faculties and even in schools, students address their teachers by nicknames and use informal addressing language.

It is not unusual for some people to be offended if you use formal language around them. That can make them feel old or seem as if you want to put a certain distance in your dialog.

For me, it is not that simple to this adopt this concept because from where I am, we use formal addressing in schools, faculties, with our friends’ parents, etc.

Can international students work in Spain?

International students in Spain who hold a student visa are eligible for 20 hours of work per week. If you want to get a job while studying, you should contact local authorities or the Association of International Students for Economics and Commerce to obtain a special work permit.

If you are from the EU, you don’t have to hold a visa or a special permit to find a job. You only need a DNI for foreigners and a registration at the Social Security office. Once you register, you are eligible to find work like any other Spaniard.

The problem with this method is that most employers will hire a Spaniard first. So, to try and go around this problem, you can also contact the Association of International Students for Economics and Commerce or ask your university for help.

So if you are preparing for Spain, be sure to have these things in mind. But don’t overthink it. Try to relax and enjoy. I must say I am jealous of your new home and new adventures. Spanish people are amazing, and Spain is a paradise on Earth. You will definitely have the time of your life!

Saludos!

We appreciate your support!

Thank you for reading our content and following our journey! We are working towards becoming full-time content creators and being able to share stories with you even more frequently. If you’d like to support us to be one step closer to that goal, you can do it through Ko-Fi! 👇🏽

Improve your Spanish before moving there?

• italki – Why not learn some Spanish before your semester abroad and make your experience even better? italki is the perfect platform for that, where more than 3500 native speakers are waiting to help you with your Spanish.
• SpanishPod101 – Real Spanish conversations. Learning based on your objectives and needs. Practice and compare your pronunciation with natives’ using voice-recording tools. Direction from a personalized teacher tailored just for you. On top of all, it is completely free to start.
• MosaLingua Premium – It is an all-inclusive language learning platform. The perfect tool for people who want to expand their vocabulary with an option to personalize the learning content that fits their needs.

Disclaimer: This section contains some affiliate links.  At no additional cost for you, we can earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.

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Why do you need to know about the siesta culture in Spain?

If you are reading this text, you are probably interested in visiting Spain one day. If that is the case, then you should, without a doubt, prepare yourself for their daily flow.

That daily rhythm is very closely related to siesta time, and that is why you need to know about it. If you come unprepared, siesta will surprise you and get you off your rails. 

What is a siesta?

A siesta is a nap during the day. The word simply describes napping or resting after lunch. This is the literal and correct translation, but siesta in Spain goes beyond that.

Many people enjoy taking naps after lunch. It gives us more energy for the evening and helps our body rest. So, how does Spain differ from other countries in this practice?

In most countries, people at home in the middle of the day, like housewives, home-based workers, or the elderly, sometimes take naps. But, working people don’t usually have this opportunity since they are at their jobs during this time.

The difference is that Spain gives everybody this opportunity and the whole nation takes a break.

So, here is how that works.

What is a siesta in Spain?

Siesta time in Spain is a time of the day when almost every store, restaurant, and business close their doors for a break. Workers end their shifts before siesta, or they have a long pause between two shifts.

Siesta in Spain feels like 3 am in other countries. The streets are empty because everything is closed, and if you forgot to do something by that time, you feel helpless.

For example, if you forgot to buy groceries on your way to work, there is a big chance you won’t have the place to buy them. This especially applies to smaller cities or towns, where they don’t have as many shopping malls.

Shopping malls usually don’t have siestas. I guess it is too complicated for them to close. Other places that can resolve this kind of problem are little foreign seven-eleven types of markets.

How long is a siesta?

Siesta time in Spain is not up to your personal choice, as napping usually is in other countries. It is a determined period that can vary one hour up or down, but it is the same in the whole country.

A siesta is usually 2-3 hours long, and yes, it happens every day.

Siesta hours in Spain are between 2 and 5 pm, and with differences, they can go down to 1:30 and up to 6 pm.

It is not law-enforced that shops must take a siesta, but it is something that everybody does.

Some businesses have a 2 hours siesta, and some have a 1 and a half or a 3 hours siesta. It depends on the owner, but it is almost the same everywhere you go.

Workday in Spain is 6 to 8 hours long, and it usually doesn’t start as early as in some countries.

Typical working hours in Spain start as late as 9 or 10 am and end somewhere between 8 and 10 pm. Most of the shops close by 9, whereas restaurants and cafes work up to 3 am.

Clubs usually open around 11 pm and work till early morning.

Between morning and evening, there is almost always a siesta break.

Siesta benefits

Some studies confirm that siesta benefits our minds and working productivity.

It may sound like a lazy routine, but if it increases work productivity, can we call it lazy?

Studies have shown that an optimal nap after lunch shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes, so we don’t enter deep sleep mode. A 2-3 hours break from work is just enough time to come home, have lunch and take a nap in our favorite armchair.

The Spanish work system allows its workers to make a routine out of resting and napping, which, according to research done by NASA, increases efficiency by 34 %.

Not only it increases efficiency, but also the mood!

I cannot get enough talk about how Spaniards seem so happy and energetic all the time. Well, maybe the siesta has something to do with it. I mean, who wouldn’t like it if their boss said: “Hey, you worked 4 hours, take a nap, you deserve it.”?

Siesta origin

Siesta culture in Spain is there for centuries; the question is: Where does siesta originate from?

The word comes from the 11th century Latin word HORA SEXTA. Translated to English, it means the sixth hour, which refers to the middle of the day.

The napping culture dates thousands of years back. There are proofs of it in the Roman Empire and ancient Islam. However, the workday rhythm we see in Spain is a bit different.

That practice comes from the post-civil war period in Spain when many people worked two jobs as a result of a poor economic situation. Normally, one job was in the morning and the other in the evening.

This middle-day break was meant for resting between the jobs or traveling from one workplace to another. Even if this period has now long passed, and 60% of Spaniards don’t actually nap during siesta time, this workday routine is still present.

Siesta in other countries

Siesta is not native nor limited to Spain. You can find it in Latin America, Italy, Greece, and some parts of Asia as Taiwan.

A question that people often ask is: “Is there a siesta in Portugal?”. It would be normal to assume that Portugal and Spain share many similar traditions, having in mind that Spain is Portugal’s only neighbor. Well, maybe there are some similarities, but this is not the one.

Siesta culture is something that is not practiced in Portugal. They do have lunch breaks, which often take 1 hour from their workday. If you live above your workplace, then maybe there is time for a quick siesta, but there is no official siesta time in Portugal. 😃

Latin American countries do have siestas. It depends on the country, but many of them had siestas.

For instance, siesta time in Mexico used to be like in Spain. However, nowadays, the practice is less popular in Latin America as it was in the past century.

Bonus:

For the best siesta, there is a website called Napflix, which helps you fall asleep with its content!

So, is siesta the best Spanish tradition?

I wouldn’t say it is the best, because they have so many fun and beautiful ones, but one of the best – absolutely!

We appreciate your support!

Thank you for reading our content and following our journey! We are working towards becoming full-time content creators and being able to share stories with you even more frequently. If you’d like to support us to be one step closer to that goal, you can do it through Ko-Fi! 👇🏽

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The post Siesta time in Spain – Your new favorite Spanish tradition appeared first on My Coliving Space: Spain.