Erasmus Experience in Angers, France by Isabel

Why did you choose to go to Angers, France?

My Master (Master of Food Identity) program is based in (École Supérieure d'Agricultures), Angers. No choice.

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

1000 euros per month in 1. 5 year scholarship.

What is the student lifestyle like in Angers?

The city is an excellent environment to make friends and get help from Angevins and non-Angevins. I lived close to the Maine and the Parc de Balzac, the Château d'Angers, bakeries and the train-bus station. People always showed interest and so much availability to help if you needed it.

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I am 30 and I personally didn't appreciate much the party scene. Younger students will be definitely around getting drunk in around centre-ville at night. In Angers I didn’t perceive a strong music scene. Bars close at 2 am. However, there was almost every weekend on August and September a cultural program with intercultural events on dance, music, and intellectual talks, inviting you to hang with Angers people and the city!

About transportation, I borrowed a city bike for the whole semester. Just like that. No money needed. Being used to bikes before, I absolutely enjoyed it, but make sure you try bus and tram, which is excellent service in my opinion. Try covoiturage (BlaBlaCar) to go for low cost to near and further places of interest!

Lastly, eating fruit and vegetables can get as expensive as if you were a meat eater. You might end up eating more bread, cheese and wine than you were used to, but you will love it. Too bad we can’t stay longer in Angers, there is in overall, everything you need, especially if you love nature, walking and white wine!

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

Of course.

What is the food like?

Culture about agriculture and value of wine and good bread is quite evident here. In fact, more than a wide array of food in restaurant types, there is more a focus on quality and traceability of food produced locally, just make sure you get in touch with students from the school of Agriculture or meet a local family!

Go for Crêpes and Galettes. You will find kebabs, which I hate because they are not tasty, galettes, and farmers markets are in, and they are true to the culture. Please don't ever go to the only Mexican restaurant. It is in fact a disaster because it’s definitely misleading, wrong info if you don’t know Mexican food from before. It will teach you wrong. Mexican knowledgeables, don’t waste your money.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Angers?

My uni provided two university cities (Bourgonnier and Couffon-Pavot) as options. I chose the latter because it is 9sqm and in excellent location.

How much does it cost to live in Angers?

You can live with 600 euros for personal items food and rent. University housing could be expensive. Mine was 290 euros per month but it is so simple to check in and check out, no contracts with landlords, no roomies to share (you will have 30 on your floor, and be able to talk to the ones you prefer). Cell phone is about 30 euros per month. A covoiturage is around 20 euros if you need to go to Paris. A train to go to Paris is at least 50 euros. Make sure you sign for offers to travel on the weekends, it can be in fact cheap. Just chance and good timing. I shopped an average of 3 times per week. Bread, fruit, soymilk, cheese and biscuits. 9 euros 3 times, about 27 euros per week. Then 20-30 euros every two weeks, for a larger shop: toilet paper, wine, etc.

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

There where language courses and introduction to culture which I appreciated. I would rather focus on compte-rendus and structure for papers to hand in to profs. It is just different to your country and you have to know this!

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

Anywhere, not much choice.

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

La Cremaillère. True to itself. You will definitely try a kebab one day. I just don’t like them.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Route to the city of Savennières on your bike on the summer. Don’t miss this. Lovely path along the river, the commune is protected by UNESCO.

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

Learn French before coming or get your best of you to defend your ideas otherwise you will be eaten by French students.