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Moving to Spain for my Erasmus semester in 2022 was supposed to be an exciting adventure filled with sun, culture, and new experiences. However, my arrival in Castellón de la Plana quickly turned into a nightmare that I never saw coming.
I had prepared myself for a small room, but nothing could have prepared me for the shock of stepping into my new living space. It was not just small; it was pitch dark, even in the brightest part of the day. To make matters worse, the furniture was moldy and in disrepair. I had initially hoped to live with Spanish students to improve my language skills, but I ended up choosing QuickIn, an agency recommended by my university, which specializes in finding accommodations for Erasmus students.
I opted for the cheapest room in a five-person shared apartment, priced at €275. It wasn’t until later that I found out this wasn’t even very cheap in Castellón. The photos I had seen online showed bright, inviting rooms, but those belonged to my room mates whose windows faced the street. My room didn’t even have a picture, as I was told it was “similar” to the others, just smaller. In reality, the windows of the part I was living in were facing a dark courtyard, leaving the common areas and my room devoid of natural light.
I had prepared myself for a small room, but nothing could have prepared me for the shock of stepping into my new living space. It was not just small; it was pitch dark, even in the brightest part of the day. To make matters worse, the furniture was moldy and in disrepair. I had initially hoped to live with Spanish students to improve my language skills, but I ended up choosing QuickIn, an agency recommended by my university, which specializes in finding accommodations for Erasmus students.
I opted for the cheapest room in a five-person shared apartment, priced at €275. It wasn’t until later that I found out this wasn’t even very cheap in Castellón. The photos I had seen online showed bright, inviting rooms, but those belonged to my room mates whose windows faced the street. My room didn’t even have a picture, as I was told it was “similar” to the others, just smaller. In reality, the windows of the part I was living in were facing a dark courtyard, leaving the common areas and my room devoid of natural light.
My first few days were unbearable. With no light and no air circulation, my room felt like a sauna at 30 degrees Celsius. The darkness was suffocating; I had envisioned sunny days in Spain, not a dim and moldy prison. To add insult to injury, I discovered that my flatmate had bed bugs in her mattress. These pesky creatures spread quickly, and soon, we were both in a panic.
I vividly remember accompanying her to the doctor because she was having an allergic reaction to the bites. Neither of us spoke Spanish at the time, which made the experience even more challenging, as the doctor spoke little English. My Belgian flatmate was on the verge of giving up her Erasmus experience before it had even begun.
My first few days were unbearable. With no light and no air circulation, my room felt like a sauna at 30 degrees Celsius. The darkness was suffocating; I had envisioned sunny days in Spain, not a dim and moldy prison. To add insult to injury, I discovered that my flatmate had bed bugs in her mattress. These pesky creatures spread quickly, and soon, we were both in a panic.
I vividly remember accompanying her to the doctor because she was having an allergic reaction to the bites. Neither of us spoke Spanish at the time, which made the experience even more challenging, as the doctor spoke little English. My Belgian flatmate was on the verge of giving up her Erasmus experience before it had even begun.
Our troubles didn’t end there. QuickIn was unhelpful and dismissive, refusing to provide us with alternative accommodations or refund our money. While I was trying to plan a trip to Barcelona, I was also frantically searching for a new place to live. Thankfully, I found a new apartment with two available rooms, allowing me to move in with my flatmate.
However, I decided to stick it out for the first month to avoid paying double rent, hoping to at least get my deposit back from QuickIn. Their attitude was infuriating. They told me I would only receive my deposit back if I moved out within a day. Little did they know I had already secured a new place and adjusted my contract accordingly. Although I did get my deposit back, I still had to pay for the first month in both places—a complete rip-off!
My experience with QuickIn was a disaster, and I’ve since heard similar horror stories from other international students. The apartments are dirty, overpriced, and poorly managed. My advice to anyone looking for accommodation in Spain is to visit in person if possible. If you can’t, always ask if the room has natural light. I was assured my room had a window, but it felt more like a cell than a cozy living space.
In conclusion, steer clear of QuickIn if you value your comfort and sanity. My experience was a harsh lesson learned, but I hope my story helps others avoid a similar fate. Moving abroad should be an adventure, not a nightmare!
