Student life in Riga
Student life in Riga is very easy and comfortable thanks to the great organization of the University. Thus, Donde Estudiar Medicina and the international students department from the University will give you all the practical information you need.
During your first days in Riga, you will attend the Orientation Week, where you will be informed about all practical details. This way, your adaptation to the city and the University will be easier and quicker.
Have a look at the student life in Riga in the following Photo Gallery.
Language
During your time in Riga, you will be able to get by in your day-to-day life by speaking English. The city is the main tourist destination in the Baltic states, which means that most people speak English. Young people in particular speak very good English, often better than the English spoken in Spanish-speaking countries. Therefore, you will be able to practice your English on a daily basis and become an advanced speaker in a very short period of time.
English is the language used throughout the degree programme – classes, exams and study materials are all in English. Your results will never depend on your ability to speak Latvian.
After your first year, you will take a Latvian course for beginners in order to achieve a basic knowledge of the language, as you will need it during your internships at the hospital. In our experience, this is not a difficult course. However, we would like to stress that the official language of the degree programme is English.
Accommodation
Finding a place to live in Riga is easy. The city offers a wide range of options tailored to your needs and your wallet. We will help you find appropriate private accommodation.
If you prefer, you can stay in the university’s own Hall of Residence. Prices for single and double rooms range from 130 to 230 euros a month. Each floor has 2 kitchens, 4 showers and 2 washing machines for students to share. All rooms have a free Internet connection. Travelling to the university on public transport takes 15 minutes.
New State Hall of Residence for international students in Riga
Expenses
Students from other EU countries find that Latvia is cheaper than their home country. However, monthly living costs vary depending on the student’s lifestyle. In our experience, an average student spends between 350 and 600 euros per month. It is important to note that the university’s cafés and dining halls offer great food and drinks at good prices.
| Underground, bus or train ticket (one way) | 0.20 EUR |
| Cup of coffee in one of the city’s bars | 1 EUR |
| Meal in an average restaurant | 8 EUR |
| Beer in a bar (50 o 66 cl) | 1.2 EUR |
| Alcoholic drink in a Pub/Club | 3 EUR |
| Pack of cigarettes | 1 EUR |
| Newspaper | 0.80 EUR |
| Entrance to a Museum | 1 EUR |
* 2007 prices
Transport
Riga has its own international airport. You will find countless travel options, including direct flights to Spain and connections to other European capitals. Amongst the airlines that fly to Riga are: Air Baltic, Ryanair, Austrian Airlines, Chezch Airlines and Wizz Air.
Getting around the city is easy – you can choose to travel by train, bus or on the underground. Your student card gives you a 50% discount on all public transport. If you have an iPod or iPhone, you can download an application that allows you to search for timetables and available routes in the city.
Free time
The city has a wide range of bars, clubs, casinos and restaurants. Most of these places are in the Old Town, although there is also a good atmosphere in the modern part of the city.
Riga’s nightlife enables students to enjoy a full university experience.
Ice-skating on the river is very popular among students and is an experience you can’t afford to miss.
Places of interest include the Cathedral, Riga Castle, the Central Market and the Ethnographic Museum. Riga also has the largest collection of Art Nouveau architecture in Europe, which makes walking around the city a very pleasant experience.
