If you own a property in Spain, or you’re thinking about buying one – or you’re simply going there on a regular basis for whatever reason, business, study or pleasure, you could probably save time and money by transferring money there the easy way.

So what is the easiest way? Well, you’d be surprised just how many people still change international currencies the old-fashioned way by queuing up at their bank, or buying travellers’ cheques etc. But these days, there’s really no need as it can all be done immediately at the click of a mouse online and it’s completely safe as long as you choose the right company.

With HiFX currency transfer for example, foreign exchange transactions can be organized from any computer you can get Internet access on – and it’s guaranteed to be completely secure. So whilst most people can send money abroad, they very often do so inefficiently. But by using a specialist foreign exchange company, they could very probably secure a better exchange rate and enjoy superior security on their transactions.

Because the larger companies transact such huge amounts of money, and because much of this is automated – they’re able to get much closer to the buy and sell spreads between currencies thereby saving money for their customers. What’s more – because you can deal immediately whenever foreign exchange markets are open, you can take advantage of spikes or troughs in the Euro versus the Pound and, hopefully, secure yourself better rates when travelling to and from Spain; all a bit of a no-brainer really.

Your rates can even be locked in for up to a whole year in advance if you need to be sure of a rate. This enables you to do your own calculations with complete accuracy for your own finances regardless of the vagaries of the foreign exchange market.

Here’s the hardest part, hands down, of learning any language, ever. Harder than memorizing tenses. Harder than subjunctive conjugations. Harder even still than negative mandates in the pluperfect oh my gosh my head hurts. Are you ready?

The hardest part of learning a language, no matter which language it is, is getting over the embarrassment of actually speaking it.

If you just rolled your eyes, you’re either lying to yourself or you’re one of those extremely rare people who doesn’t suffer from crippling embarrassment when forced to speak in another language. Or you’re European. Regardless, you’re an exception to the rule. Learning a language is all kinds of difficult, but the part that usually teeters out close to that ledge called “forget this, I’m going home” is the speaking bit. You know, the whole point of having learned this foreign tongue in the first place.

There are myriad ways you can learn a new language. You can pay lots of money to take big fancy classes. You can study at home using effective tools like Cram.com or homemade flashcards, which may require more self-discipline but are definitely cheaper than the aforementioned classes. All those ideas are great, and they’re effective steps in starting to learn a new language.

The thing is, none of that will make much of a difference if you don’t get over your fear of having to speak the words you’ve memorized. There’s a really good chance you’re just afraid to sound stupid or make a mistake. So here are a few tips for overcoming that seemingly insurmountable obstacle:

Accept the fact that you are indeed going to sound stupid and make a mistake. Actually, scratch that. You’re not going to make a mistake. You’re going to make lots of mistakes. But that’s ok! Making mistakes is how we learn. Following that logic, the more mistakes the better! If you’re traveling around, you don’t have time to worry about mistakes. Focus on all the cool monuments and stuff all around you, and be cool.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Remember that time somebody was making an honest, admirable effort to converse with you in your native language and you couldn’t stop laughing at them? Oh wait, you have a soul and that never happened? Yeah, it takes a real punk to judge somebody for bettering themselves by speaking a second (or third, or fourth – yeah, I’m looking at you, Europeans!) language. Most of the time, we admire these educated folks’ efforts and help them along should they need our assistance. Take note.

Remember that the point of leaning a language isn’t perfection. It’s communication. This is perhaps one of the simplest truths of learning a language, and yet it’s the often the hardest one to remember. We rarely study languages to become fluent and appear to be native speakers. I mean, that’s a fantastic goal, but it requires a level of dedication the average adult doesn’t have time for. More likely, you’re studying Spanish to be able to ask where the bathroom is, or where you can find some decent jamon con queso in this joint. If you’re able to get your point across, you’ve accomplished your primary goal. Crack open a sweet cerveza and relax.

Every country has its own language, its own customs, and its own quirks. Part of immersing yourself in another country’s culture is picking up on these idiosyncrasies and nuances, and in Spain that means learning about a place with a rich history of fermenting and distilling. Especially in the summer months when temperatures climb and siestas become an essential part of one’s day, the easiest way to spot a tourist is to look for the person ordering sangria.

For the Spanish, sangria (its derivative coming from sangre, or ‘blood’) is essentially a party drink, designed to cheaply and effectively get you drunk. The cheapest red wine and hard liquor is slushed together with fruit (like apples and oranges) and maybe given a hint of cinnamon and sugar. Most bar-owners are aware that this is a tourist favourite, and tend to overcharge for this drink. However, tinto de verano, which is similar to sangria, is generally a local favourite (and cheap) in the summer – one part red wine to one part gaseosa (carbonated beverage, like Fanta), and like any good Spaniard you’ll feel a strong compulsion to dance well into the night.

If you’re living in Spain or just travelling around, you’ll most likely encounter any number of sherries, which are generally imbibed in the evening as a sort of ‘after-dinner’ drink (sometimes called oloroso). Spain is particularly famous for its fortified wines which are made from grapes grown in the Andalusian regions, and range from the finos (topaz-colored and very dry) to the lighter colored manzanilla, and it’s very interesting to see what sorts of combinations and different tastes that vintners have experimented with. For instance, sweet sherries like Harvey’s Bristol Cream are particularly popular.

Wine is also a popular drink, especially with the revival of interest in wine-making and incentives pushed by the EU which has bolstered the industry and helped renovate some of the outmoded and decrepit wine-making machinery. Both Valdepeñas and Rioja (made in the Castile region) are considered excellent, especially with any number of meat dishes available at restaurants. Beer, or cerveza, is also experiencing a growing popularity, but for the most part it doesn’t have the same cultural heritage as many of the other drinks. Nevertheless, pubs and bodegas everywhere sell imported and some local beers, and it’s always a treat to share a glass with one of the locals.

If you’re feeling particularly classy, Spain also offers a wide selection of cognacs and brandies, including the infamous 103 White Label, which is a strong amber spirit stored for a year in an oak barrel before being released. It will definitely put a dent in your wallet, however. Another choice drink that might catch your eye is the bright yellow Licor 43, which can be found at any bar and is made from citrus and fruit juices – it’s a good summer drink as well, with a pleasant hint of vanilla added in.

No matter where you end up in Spain, you’ll find local specialties exclusive to that region, and the Spanish are known for their pairing of different drinks with cuisine. The idea of the tapas is alive and well, and in many places 2 euros will get you a drink and a sizeable platter of food, especially in some of the major cities like Barcelona. Regardless of your preference, don’t forget to say ‘Salud!’

About the author: Simon is a writer and content specialist who is addicted to being on the front page of anything. A graduate of Dalhousie University, he specializes in using the em dash too often. Currently, Simon rests his typing hands in Vancouver, Canada.

When you are a student in college, there is no better time to see the world than now. College leaves you with three months free, and if you are willing to venture out of your comfort zone and take a risk, you’ll find that you are in a great place to move forward with your goals to see what the world is all about. Whether you decide to see China, Albania, South Africa or Spain, take a moment to think about how you can make your trip easier on yourself and your wallet.

Paying For It

You may be feeling a little bit nervous because you don’t have a lot of cash in hand. The truth is that most students don’t (I know I never do)! However, if you want to be a traveler, you are going to need to make a few important decisions; this is one of them. One way to make sure that you have enough cash to get where you are going is to pick up a student-specific rewards credit card. A credit card like this can be used all over the world, and you will discover that it can come in handy no matter where you are. This means that you will not need to worry about foreign exchange currencies every time you hop a border and you will also find that it can keep you safer from pickpockets as it will not involve you paying cash in front of people. This is also great in case you do not have money up front for plane tickets or train passes.

What To Bring?

A lot of students fret about what they should bring along, but this is one of the areas that you have to worry about the least. For example, get your clothing situation settled: You are best bringing along very light things that can be dried out quickly and that can be layered for the right kind of protection no matter where you are going. Also remember to bring along some adapters for your electronics if you choose to bring any along (I would). Finally, don’t hesitate to find a good place for your ID. Many fantastic places have serious pickpocket issues, and you’ll find that you can get your passport yanked before you know it. One way to make sure that you keep your ID safe is to stuff it in a thin fabric wallet that you wear around your neck. The rule of thumb is that you should keep your ID as close to your skin as possible.

Where to Stay?

Let’s face it; if you are going to be in a hotel every night, your expenses are going to rack up. The truth of the matter is that staying at a hostel can be a fantastic experience that puts you right at the center of the hustle and bustle of a city and in many cases, a hostel doesn’t cost you more than forty dollars a night. Do some research and learn more about the hostels in the area that you want to visit. Most of these establishments are privately owned and operated, and that means that they vary a lot. Find out if there is a time for check in, because if a hostel closes its doors at ten, it will not do you much good if your train doesn’t get in until some time past midnight! Some hostels ask you to do chores, while others do not.

Take a moment to learn more about the different ways to save money as a student abroad. There are a lot of important things for you to think about, so just consider where you want to go and start moving!