The story of how I got to know Bangor

"I'm going to Bangor! "

"To Bangkok?! "

"Bangor, Mum. " In North Wales.

Perhaps it's not well known. It's a small, isolated, coastal town, with no more than 15, 000 locals and university students. But, why should I deny it? A little piece of me will always belong in this metropolis.

The journey to get there from Manchester airport to this Welsh town is an adventure. Three changes in Penrhyndeudraeth and another little stop in Blaenau Ffestiniog (sorry to impede your reading). To try and pronounce Bangor correctly so that the ticket collector would understand me was my first challenge. Upon arriving to what would be my home for the next 6 months, another type of challenge arose. What if the fruit is very expensive? What if you have to pay the landlord? If I spend X amount of money today, I won't go out tomorrow; What if I don't know how to get the stain off my trousers... Seriously, Mum, how do you do it?

I wasn't only attempting to live independently, but with other people from a culture that differs greatly in many aspects to my own. Apologising constantly; eating dinner at 7 in the afternoon; having a tea every 2 hours... I have had the pleasure of living through these experiences with my three flatmates (British, and incredible). I will never forget their faces of bewilderment when I put oil on my toast for breakfast. And they told me that oil is very unhealthy. Coming from you with your Roast Dinner and British Breakfast, guys. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. And what more does being an Erasmus student give you?! A walk up towards Penrhyn Castle, and everyone gets lost.

You can count sheep and daffodils whilst you enjoy the landscape, but don't forget a jacket. It rains in the same way that it's sunny and it hails. All in the same day; but there's no bad weather, just bad clothes. On the way back, thirst overcomes you. Who needs water when you can have a pint for a pound? Get yourself on a Pub Crawl and speak in Spanglish. You will see your accent improve after a Guinness.

Relax (but not too much) and enjoy your Erasmus year. Travel, experience things and share them. Go out, drench yourself (literally) in English culture and destroy those prejudices. I assure you that this is the best souvenir that you can take home.

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