CONFERENCE
Tell about yourself..
I come from Almeria which is a city in South of Spain, in a region called Andalucia. I have studied business administration before and now I am studying law and this is my last year, so I decided to come to Latvia to finish my studies here.
Why did you choose Latvia as your destination?
Latvia was actually my second choice (the first one was Poland), however, I prefer Latvia as a destination more because Riga is the capital city. I thought it would be a really nice experience because Latvia is very much different in comparison to my country- the culture, the weather, the people, everything is different. It has been a very nice personal life experience for me.
Did you know anything about Riga before you came to study here?
Before coming here, I read a lot of information about Riga on the internet that was shared by other international exchange students. Also in Spain there is a programme „Spanish around the world” and there were two episodes about Latvia as well, so I could get to know Riga a little bit.
Do you remember the first day in Latvia?
The first day when I arrived in Latvia by plane, I took the taxi and it was a little bit strange for me because the taxi driver did not say to me anything. He asked me in Latvian: „Where do you go?” (he did not speak English). I said: „Rēznas iela”, but my pronunciation of the street was probably not very clear, so he understood another place and he brought me there. Then I showed in my mobile phone the name of the street and he finally understood. I think then he was cursing all the way (I don’t know because I did not understand anything). But then I arrived to Reznas iela, to the „Prima” hostel and it was amazing. I met other students there who were there the same as me- international exchange students. In our floor we made parties every day to meet together. Actually, the guy from the neighbour room is now my flatmate.
Have you had any funny experiences?
Yes, a lot. Every Wednesday is funny in Riga, because all the exchange students go out together- we are like a family. Latvians are a little bit more closed than us. Spanish people are very open, the same as Italians. But the people here are really nice and friendly, once you get to know them.
There was one funny story when we made a pre-party in „Prima” hostel. We called a taxi, because we wanted to go to „Arēna Rīga” because there was some electronic music show. We were four people in the taxi. Two portuguese girls, my italian friend and me and the taxi driver missed for the rural area and it was funny because we had to take our mobile phones with GPS and tell him where to drive: „Turn right, turn left”. It was amazing. He had no idea where we were. We were riding 45 minutes with the taxi, but he told us: „Ok, give me three euros and it’s ok!” It was a really funny experience. The girls were a little bit afraid, but ok.. was nice.
I know that you play football here..
Yes, I play in the University of Latvia team and in Erasmus Team. Now we are playing with the University of Latvia in the tournament „Universiāde” against other universities in Latvia and it’s the first time we are winning against such strong teams as ISMA (at least in the past 5 years we did not make it). I hope we will win the tournament.
In Erasmus team we are people from all parts of Europe- Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Spain, Netherlands… It’s a bit different. I mean, of course, we want to win, but it is also more for enjoying the game. Martin (Mārtiņš Linde) is like the trainer for us, he organizes everything, he calls me every day: „We have to play there!” He is like another family to me. He has a child who is like my nephew here.
How did you decide to join the UL football team here?
Because in Spain I have been playing football during my whole life. I was playing in the 2nd division of Futsal and then in the 3rd division of Football. I have been always studying and playing football.
In what position do you play here?
Middle server or striker.
One team in Latvia offered me to play with them, but there are a lot of trainings during the week and matches, you have to travel to another place..
Which team?
I don’t remember, I think it was called Riga United. It’s a football team.
In Spain I earned money for playing, however, here it is only a little bit, it would not be beneficial.
Can you compare the football ‘culture’ in Latvia and in Spain?
In Spain if you go to a park you can see children playing football. Children always have a ball. And I grew up with this mentality. The ball is like our meeting point for coming together. It is also very important when meeting new people.. you have to play football. When you are a child, it’s the only thing you can enjoy.
What do you usually do in the weekends?
I go on different trips. I have visited the closest countries, but it is easy here to take a plane to different countries. We were in Norway, Switzerland, London. It is very cheap to take a plane here, in Spain it would be more difficult. I also participate in the trips organized by ESN (Erasmus Student Network) team. Every weekend we try to do something different. Parties are ok, but we prefer to do something different too. In the winter we went skiing. Now we are planning to go to the Aquapark, I heard that it is one of the biggest in the East Europe. That is very interesting! We try to do many activities, because this is now an opportunity that we have and we must use.
Have you watched also hockey games?
Yes, it was the first time that I watched an ice-hockey match and it was like a show for me. Amazing. I already got a shirt of „Dinamo Riga”. I like it.
What do you plan to do after your exchange studies at UL?
I plan to pass all my subjects. This summer I have to do an internship in Spain as a lawyer for one month and then I will have to present my final paper to the Tribunal. Next year I plan to work, but in Spain the situation with finding a job is quite difficult now. But I will have to try.
So you will be a lawyer..?
No, I want to be a businessman in something that is related to sports, because I love sports.
Are the studies different here than in Spain?
We have some separate courses for Erasmus students. But the education here is totally different than in Spain. In Spain you only have two exams and you need to pass the exams. But here you need to do every week a presentation, you have to work every day. I prefer this method better. It is more continuos. It is easy, but for me it is also difficult because of my English language knowledge. I know English, but not so well. And studying in English is difficult for me, it’s not like for Latvian students.
Has your English improved here?
Yes, a lot! It was one of my aims why I chose to go on Erasmus- to improve my English.
What will you tell your friends about Latvia when you go home?
It’s one of the best experiences in my life. Really. I hope that they will visit Latvia because it’s worth it.
