Erasmus Experience in Belfast, Northern Ireland by Daniel Prasetyo

Why did you choose to go to Belfast, Northern Ireland?

High quality education, cheap living cost (compare to other cities in UK), great landscape (all Game of Thrones scenes are taken in Northern Ireland). Queen's University Belfast as my home university is a UK top ten research-intensive university and part of RusselL Group. The most important is it looks like a Castle! So, if you want to have good quality education and sensation to study like in Hogwarts, QUB is the right place! Remember, QUB campus is also top 10 most visited place in Northern Ireland.

Source

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

My Erasmus Mundus Scholarship covers my program for 2 years and it's more than enough. In Belfast, you can live less than 500 pounds per month. Try to compare with other cities in UK and you'll realize it.

What is the student lifestyle like in Belfast?

They like studying a lot! You can't find any free computers in library during the exam period. But, they also like party. "Study hard Party harder" is the right word in Belfast.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Belfast to other students?

Yes, absolutely! Belfast is an amazing city and if you are a fan of Game of Thrones and dream to study like in Hogwarts, it's the right place!

What is the food like?

Fish and chips, kebabs with chips, chicken curry with chips,... All about chips! Yeah, I'm in UK :)

Source

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Belfast?

Absolutely not. You can find a private housing, sharing with 6-8 people, only for 200 pounds per month and the house is totally great. Having experience to live with other international students is also another positive thing. You can make a lot of friends!

How much does it cost to live in Belfast?

You can have a really good life only less than 500 pounds per month: 200-300 pounds for housing, 200 pounds for eating, and 100 pounds for party!

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Interesting question! At the first time, you'll feel stupid because you totally blind with what local people said. But, don't worry! Everyone has it in their first time. It's not your fault but Irish accent is too amazing to understand. Anyway, you'll get used to it in few months after.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Belfast from your city?

You can reach Belfast by plane or ship from Great Britain. And if you go to Dublin first, you can take bus for only 2 hours.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Belfast?

Yeah, night life in Belfast is amazing. But, they close at 1 AM. However, you can continue the party in your home. House party is really common in Belfast. St. Patrick's Day is the craziest day in Belfast, 3 days non-stop of party.

Source

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Belfast?

Some fish and chips restaurant are great here, you can find a lot in Botanic Avenue, Lisburn Road, or University Road.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are no specific cultural sites because all place in Northern Ireland must be visited. It's a good place for hiking and travelling. Mourne mountain, Cavehill, Giant's Causeway, Dark Hedges are some examples. Don't forget to visit Queen's University Belfast also!

Source

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Belfast in the future?

If you want to have a different sensation of studying, Belfast is the right place to have your Erasmus Program.

Interesting fact: Did you know that Belfast was a major shooting location for Game of Thrones? Want to find out more? Check out this where else Game of Thrones has been filmed? Check out this guide to the 10 different countries that the series has been filmed in.