Could you introduce yourself, tell us where you’re from, and why you came to study in Valencia?
Well, I’m Oshin, from Ireland, and I came to Spain because I have family friends here. They’re from the other side of Spain, and it’s a small town, but I chose Valencia because I’d visited before on holiday and I loved the city: the Turia riverbed park, the beach, the vibe… everything.
I’ve been here for almost two years now, and I found the school a little over a year ago. It’s helped me a lot to improve my Spanish and to integrate into the city and all that. And yes, I work here as a freelancer.
So, how have you noticed your Spanish has changed since you started?
A lot. What I’ve noticed most is that I can integrate: I can generally speak out on the street, I can make friends from Spain, from other parts of Spain, and it’s… I don’t know, it’s been a really important part of improving my life.
What have you liked most about the classes and the teachers at Euroace?
I’ve loved the relationships with the teachers, because usually we’re with the same teacher for quite a long time, and you can build a relationship with them and with the other students too. And I like that because there’s a kind of connection. We know a lot about the other students’ lives, we’re always catching up, and that.
Normally it’s very comfortable and very relaxed. We talk about our week, we catch up, and then we do some grammar or something. And it’s fun too, because as we get to know each other more and more, you build relationships between the students and the teacher as well.
I remember one time: I was in a class with a group a long time ago, with the same teacher, Alberto, and we had such a good time. And once we had to tell a story without words. We laughed so much the whole class. And I loved that.
But there have been many moments like that, with really great teachers. That’s what I love–because you learn a lot, but in a fun way. Yeah.
What do you like most about living in Valencia?
I think it’s a city that has everything.
Nothing is missing. It has the beach, the park, the clubs, the atmosphere, the restaurants… And it’s not as big as Madrid or Barcelona.
And is there any place you’ve liked the most? Any tradition?
Well, Fallas, which is crazy. I live in Ruzafa, so it’s even crazier. I love the atmosphere during March. It can wear you out a bit because of the parties and because sometimes it’s just too much, but in general I love it.
How does living in Spain compare to living in Ireland?
Well, there are lots of differences. The first one is the weather, obviously. You can be outside the house much more here in Spain. There are more outdoor events; it’s a slightly more social culture, I think, precisely because of the weather.
Also, Valencia is a city where everything is close. You can walk, you can use a bike. The metro and trains are good too. When I lived in Dublin, before coming here, I had to use the car a lot, and because of the weather there were days when you couldn’t really leave the house. But there are also things I love about Dublin. Even so, right now I prefer living in Valencia.
So, has learning Spanish helped you make friends in Spain?
Yes—people from here, people from other parts of Spain, and people from other Spanish-speaking countries too. And in my everyday life I can talk to people in a shop or anywhere. It’s like the world is bigger when you speak Spanish here.
And what’s your goal when it comes to learning Spanish?
That’s it—I want the world to feel bigger. So I can move around more, go to other places in Spain or Latin America. I don’t know, it makes life more interesting, I think.
Have you used your time here in Spain to visit more places?
Yes, I’ve been to almost everywhere, except the north. I’m missing the north—I want to go to Asturias, to Gijón, and to Catalonia. But apart from that, I’ve been to Madrid, Cádiz, Seville, Málaga, Ibiza, Barcelona.
And I like discovering what the different areas of Spain are like. The time of year matters a lot, because in summer I don’t want to be in the south–it’s too hot. But I really loved Cádiz. I loved it. I don’t know, every place and every region is very different from a cultural point of view.
Has your time at Euroace and in Valencia changed your perspective on living in other countries and in cultures different from your own?
Yes, I think so. Because it’s hard to go to another country and build a life and integrate. And you have to make an effort: you have to go to class and talk with the teachers. There are teachers from Valencia who can explain cultural things to you and give you advice.
What would you recommend to someone who’s thinking about coming to Spain to learn Spanish? What would you have liked to know?
That it’s going to be hard. And it takes time. You need to take classes, talk to people, watch series, watch films, read books… You have to do everything you can.
Okay. Can you sum up your experience at Euroace in one word?
Fun, educational, and social.
