Birmingham, where the partying never stops...

For three months, I did an internship in Birmingham, also known as 'the party city'. I will undoubtedly return there another time because it was the best experience of my life! Three short but intense crazy months!

Birmingham is famous for its parties

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It is quite a bit city which has a thousand places to go out and tons of things to do. Of course, all of this ends up being quite pricey! I got to know a lot of people from all over there world who were studying there. It's true that the natives are quite racist. Also, it's a dangerous city, especially at night. We had problems with the some of the people there, they were quite crazy!

The city of Birmingham by night

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Accomodation

The majority of people who came here with me lodged with a family, it ends up a lot more expensive than renting a shared house. I rented a room in 'Selly Oak'. It's a neighbourhood where a lot of students live. There are loads of real estates over there. I contacted Britannia and I do not recommend it! We paid about 400 € (375 pounds) a month and 500 deposit on the first day. It was a little house with 7 rooms. Keep in mind that you probably will not have sheets, nor cutlery, none of it! The house can be found online: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/.

Selly Oak

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Transport

The bus is pricey! A monthly pass costs 90 euros! But there's no other way to get around the city. There's usually a lot of traffic jams and which stops the bus every 10 meters, so it normally takes quite a while. Since then I now understand how people can fall asleep on public transport! They are usually 2 floors. You will find teenagers that play music out loud on their phones at full volume (buy some earphones...! ) and litter everywhere... At night I do not recommend to take the bus at all. Even if you go with other people. There are fights and the bus driver does not care at all as he carries on as normal...

The taxis are the best! You can get one for up to 11 people! Make sure to agree on the price per person before the journey! It's really cheap! Do not let them take advantage of you, they always try to!

The bus pas costs 90 pounds a month, but it's the best way of getting around the city.

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Parties

Everything you want and more! It's best to start the night with a house party! My house was a party every day! And all different people came! Chinese, Koreans, Finnish, Colombians... all of them! You open your doors to everyone! Just as they open theirs for you!

There are a lot of students in Birmingham

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Don't buy drinks when you're out, even if someone suggests it. It is a scam and they also know to water them down with juice... It's best to drink before going out and perhaps sneak some into the club... The best club is the Gate Crasher! The entrance fee is 5 euros! Arkadia is a neighborhood that is good for nights out and then of course Broad Street! In Selly Oak there is an "Urban Village" bar that is great! Both in the day and at night. And a little further up there is another bar with a snooker table and a giant screen to watch the sports games! The atmosphere is great!

Gatecrasher club

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Also, every week at the University there is a party. Go there on Tuesdays for sure. And there are clubs open from Monday to Sunday.

The University of Birmingham

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At 4am everything closes! It seems early but you have to remember that the drinking starts at 7pm and you're dancing by 10-11pm!

Weather

In Spring it wouldn't stop raining! Cold, windy and rainy! Having said that, it seems that the English do not feel nor suffer because they went out wearing little dresses with no socks, no jackets when it was 5 degrees!

Without a doubt, what I missed most was the sun!

The weather in Birmingham is not the best!

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Gastronomy

The second thing I really missed, was food! The best place for buying meat and fish is the market in the center which is only open in the morning and not even every day... take care, or you will become fat! I gained 8 kilos in 3 months! The "Chicken" shops are open throughout the night! And it's very cheap! Also this place "Poundland" where everything costs 1 pound. But, basically, you spend all day eating junk!

Free Time

There's a bit of everything! Cinemas, bowling alleys, shopping centres, bars with pool tables, the aquarium... but everything involves spending money! There are also various parks where you can spend the day! Also, there is a canal which goes though the city and it's certainly a pretty walk.

The aquarium

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The canal

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The shopping centre, named the 'Bullring'

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You can not miss going to the stadium to see a football match! I went when Chelsea played (it cost 20 pounds) and it was a blast! Having said that... the atmosphere is crazy! They would throw smoke bombs and even the 8 year olds were showing people the finger!

Go to the stadium to watch a football game!

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So yeah, not much else to add! I would without a doubt 200% recommend this city for Erasmus if you are coming with the intention of getting to know people from all over the world and going to loads of parties! The police are quite nice but better not to be foolish because they will lock you up for two days for nicking some socks! And do not even think about smoking anything that is not tobacco on the street because nobody else does it it! And on a similar note, tobacco is twice as expensive too!

Birmingham is a city with an international population

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