Erasmus advice!

ADVICE FOR GOING TO ABERYSTWYTH ON ERASMUS:

1. Try to have all of the learning agreement prepared before going there. I know that it is difficult sometimes, the coordinators of our own university make it even more complicated, but if you go to Aber and you have everything ready, you will save yourself two days of stress. Even still, if you go with your learning agreement and it is wrong, don't worry, the students who come from Spanish universities have a tutor called Mathew who is really nice, hardworking, selfless; and also speaks Spanish (with a Latin-American accent, how cute) if you don't have a good grip on the English language. It also is very important that you bring all of your paperwork with you (certificate of arrival, Erasmus insurance, etc).
2. In terms of accommodation, as a personal recommendation, I'd advise that you go into university halls. It is expensive, don't be fooled, but it is the most convenient option. The residences are 5 minutes (or less! ) away from the university campus and there is nothing better than getting up at 8:30 am to go to class at 9 am. In addition, the halls are full of Erasmus students, who, in my case, were whom I spent most of my time with. I know students who decided to live in a flat in the city and honestly, it seems like a drag because every morning they had to get a bus to university or go up a never-ending ascent by foot. I'll repeat that this is my opinion and this can depend according to your taste and preferences. Of course, later on, I will write a more detailed post about the residence that I stayed in: Cwrt Mawr.

   

   Source

   

3. IMPORTANT: BUY A COAT. Me, the deluded person that I am, I decided to wear a denim jacket to Aber because when I went there it was September, and when I was in Pontevedra, I was still going to the beach. I wore it for two weeks and then I locked it away forever in the depths of my suitcase. I mean, that you bring a coat with you, a down jacket, like the ones that horrible old ladies wear. But well, I'm warm so people can laugh. You also need a raincoat and some welly boots, like farm boots. The United Kingdom is the United Kingdom and it isn't a myth that it rains the majority of days.

When you are still in Spain (or where you are if you are reading this), you should go to the bank and take out a good amount of money in pounds to get through the first few days as it is possible that you will be a bit lost.

4. In terms of money exchange, it is real pain, there's nothing else to say, but it is what it is. You should go and talk with your bank and ask what is the best option for the transfers that your parents will send you or what works out cheaper. I, for example, am with Santander, and when I got to Aberystwyth I had to open a Basic Account for students. As it made it that the transfers that my mum sent to me and each time I took out money were without commission. Although this is my situation and you should find out in your bank about your situation.
5. Don't think that they are going just give you a pass for the year or the semester. You will have to more or less work your ass off according to the subjects that you choose, but passing without doing anything isn't a thing. This is the Erasmus Utopia.
6. TRANSPORT: Reserve your flights in advance. From my learned experience, I have to say that flights to Birmingham usually aren't at all cheap. It is also important that you book the train in advance. Get it with time to spare because of what could happen with the flight, lots of them get delayed or your suitcase doesn't arrive. If you decide to get the train once you are in Birmingham airport and by chance you are a group of three people or more, get it together as they give you a discount.

   

   Coffees on planes are even worse than those from a machine, but nothing that a classic book can't solve.

7. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WELSH: Most people speak English and if you don't understand something at first, they will repeat it until you understand. Being such a small town, the people are very friendly with foreign students, because they are already used to it. If you have problems with English, the university offers courses to help you improve it (also for Welsh! ) but you have to pay for them.

   

   Source

And that is the post for today. These are the pieces of advice that I think are most useful and important to know before going to Aberystwyth. Through the next blogs that I am going to be publishing, I will highlight one of these topics and I will keep on giving advice and my most honest opinion. I hope that you have enjoyed it!

Photo gallery