Year Abroad in Malaga

Hi, I’m Lyla, a third year Maths with Spanish student, currently on my year abroad at Malaga University. I’m gonna be completely honest, I chose Malaga for the beach and the sun and I can’t complain. I figured if I was living in Spain for a year I may as well do it properly and make the most of the weather I don’t get in England. 

But, that isn’t all that Malaga has to offer. It’s an amazing city with so much to see and I’d say it’s the best place to be in Andalucía. The airport is just around the corner to make coming home easier, if necessary, and the transport links to other towns and cities are really good. So far I have visited, Granada, Sevilla, Ronda, Fuengirola and Torremolinos and Sevilla was probably my favourite. Although it was only a day trip which I don’t think was enough time to spend there, so I’d like to go back in the future. Whilst we’re on the topic, for anyone coming to study in Malaga, there’s an Iceland in Fuengirola selling british food, which I didn’t discover for 3 months. But 3 months spent without british food made finding Iceland one of the best days I’ve had here in Spain. I still want to visit Córdoba, Nerja, Benalmádena and Marbella whilst I’m here, all of which you can get to by train or bus from Malaga centre. 

Malaga has felt more like a home to me than Southampton ever did, no shade to Southampton. I think knowing I only had a year here forced me to get out and make the most of it, as well as feeling guilty spending time inside whilst the sun was out. Whereas in Southampton I would quite often spend an entire weekend in the flat. I try to do something every single weekend here, and I’ve been doing my best to go to the beach every week to swim in the sea. Although I must say from November the sea has been freezing and my swims have not been enjoyable. I also quite possibly spend too much time shopping, but the shopping is so good and the clothes are cheaper so really I’m saving money. How I’ve spent my time here has made me realise I need to spend my time better in Southampton, and I will do my best to get out more next year. Even without the beach and the sun which will be dearly missed. 

My final advice is to not be discouraged when you first move to a different country and can’t understand a single word. It has been especially difficult in Andalucía, but I figured if I can understand the Andalucíans by the end of the year, I can understand anyone. I didn’t understand anytbing from my first few lectures, maybe a word here and there. And I won’t lie, there’s still some I really struggle with. But just listening to the language every day in lectures helps so much. I’ve been approached on the street a few times and asked a question and I have had absolutely no idea what they said. But the other day I was asked a question on the metro, I did understand and I knew the answer. I was very proud of myself and excited to answer but sadly my moment was stolen from me as someone else answered first. Anyway, my point is it might be difficult at first, and people might talk back to you in english (I call it “getting englished”), but it’ll gradually get easier. You just have to be patient.