Spain - with its breathtaking beaches, astonishing cities, delectable cuisine, vibrant culture, rich history, and almost perfect climate, the Kingdom of Spain has been the favourite destination for travellers from all around the world since time immemorial. In 2021, it ranked as the most visited country in the world, hosting over 66 million international visitors from all walks of life. But beyond its tourist appeal, this sunny old country in the Iberian peninsula has also captivated the hearts of students who want to broaden their horizons and enjoy their life abroad to the max!
Today, Spain is known as one of the premier countries for international students to further their studies. And here's some good news for my fellow kick-ass Filipinos! Did you know that studying in Spain offers numerous advantages specifically tailored for us? In this post, I'll be listing down the reasons why Spain stands out as the ultimate country for Filipino students to study abroad.
What makes Spain a top choice for Filipino students studying abroad?
Our cultural bond with Spain surpasses that of any other country - Our ties with Spain truly run deep (after all, they had colonized us for over 333 years). This enduring connection makes Spain feel like a home away from home as we share their rich history, traditions, and culture. From religion to dances to gastronomy to vocabulary to our very own names and surnames - the influence of Madre España cannot be overstated.
Affordability - Compared to other popular study abroad destinations like the United States, Canada, Australia or the United Kingdom, Spain generally offers more affordable tuition fees and living expenses. In fact - to this day - Spain remains one of the most affordable countries in Europe for international students! Additionally, there are many activities available for free such as going for picnics with friends in beautiful parks and beaches, exploring cultural attractions, attending events and street festivals, and even seeing numerous well-known and world-class museums!
High Quality Education - Spain is not just the home of paella, churros, siesta and fiesta but also the home to several reputable universities and institutions known for their high-quality education and research opportunities! Win-Win? I guess so! Studying in Spain allows us easy access to world-class education in various fields of study.
You can travel to all Schengen Countries Visa-Free (AKA: my favourite perk when I was an International Student!) - Being a student in Spain means enjoying the freedom to travel to any Schengen country without the hassle of visas throughout your study period! As a Filipino travel-lover holding a 3rd world passport, this is truly a dream come true! Whether it's a spontaneous weekend getaway to Prague with friends or a romantic week in Paris with your partner, as a student in Spain, you have the flexibility to visit numerous beautiful cities and countries on a monthly basis (or as often as your budget allows!)
It's (almost) always sunny in España - Natural Vitamin D? Sí, por favor! Coming from the tropics (and moving to the sand pit that is Dubai), I've always lived my life with sun aplenty. Since I was always sun-kissed, I had no idea how lucky I've been because many countries in Europe (and the world) just don't see the sun for weeks and months on end! Fortunately, it's not the case in Spain. In fact, it's almost always sunny in Spain and the sunniest cities in Europe are in Spain.
Active Lifestyle - With its abundance of parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces, Spain encourages an active way of life (leave your sedentary lifestyle where it's at, thank me later!) Whether it's playing football in the field, going for a jog along the park or scenic coastline, walking for miles and miles admiring the Spanish cityscape, or participating in yoga classes in the open air, there's a lot of fun activities to choose from that could elevate your physical and mental health!
Best + Healthy Food - Did you know that Spain has more of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World than any other country in the globe? CNN just wrote this! But even when you can't afford to dine at these fancy restaurants given the fact that you're a student, worry not because you truly don't need to reserve a table at the trendiest food spot to enjoy Spain's culinary wonders. The fresh produce here is top-notch and super healthy. They also embrace the Mediterranean diet – hailed as the healthiest and tastiest in the world. In the end, you win when you are in Spain!
They have many Incredible Fiestas to cure Homesickness - Nobody celebrates holidays and festivals quite like the Spaniards. Having lived here for five years, I can vouch that they are among the most laid-back and fun-loving people ever! And don't even get me started on their fiestas, with many running for decades or even centuries! Some of them remind me of the fiestas we have back home. It's amusing how almost every month, there's some holiday or celebration of some sort that can truly uplift your spirits and make you forget about your homesickness - or at least a bit!
Fast-Track Access to Spanish Citizenship - This, by far, has been my sweetest serendipity - an unexpected blessing for me. It wasn't until I arrived in Spain that I discovered Filipinos only need 2 years of legal residency to apply for Spanish citizenship! I mean, how lucky are we! It is important to note, however, that having a student visa alone doesn't constitute legal residency. To obtain a residence visa, you'll need an employment offer in Spain to qualify for a work permit and residence visa. This can be achieved by seeking jobs after completing your Master's program or securing employment through internships. Another way is obtaining residency through marriage to a Spanish or EU citizen. And for those with ample financial resources (like Bea Alonzo) there's the option of applying for a Spain Golden Visa based on investing in property worth at least 500,000€.
In conclusion, Spain stands as an exceptional destination for Filipino students seeking to broaden their horizons and maximizing their dream (student) life abroad. Our deep cultural bond and ties with Spain - coupled with its affordability, high-quality education, good climate, visa-free travel to Schengen countries, and fast-track access to Spanish citizenship - make it not just an ideal choice for us but the BEST choice. If you are looking at Spain/Europe as your long-term home, take the leap of faith! Spain is waiting for you.
Salud!
If you´ve liked this post, you should check out my next post about Obtaining Spanish Student Visa for Filipinos. Hasta pronto!
Hi! Is it easy to find a part time job as a student?