My Erasmus Experience in Birmingham, United Kingdom - by Beatriz

Why did you choose to go to Birmingham, United Kingdom?

I wanted to go somewhere in the UK to improve my English, and I chose Birmingham because my subject's faculty there impressed me the most. At the last moment, I was wondering whether I should have picked another country like Holland or Denmark... but turns out I made the right decision! Birmingham is a super cool city, which I'll tell you all about later on.

How long did your scholarship last? How much were you paid?

I arrived in the city in September and stayed until June. I'm from Andalusia, so I received a half-decent grant, but this wasn't even nearly enough to live on, so I had to resort to using y savings. My parents also supported me a lot. I think the amount of money you receive for your Erasmus exchange is shameful, as it doesn't even cover your accommodation costs. In the end, you just have to save up as much as you can, as when you're there, there'll be so much you want to do and join in with.

What's the student life like in Birmingham?

Fantastic. I went to Birmingham University and it was brilliant. There were loads of international people, thousands of student societies, sports teams, etc. etc. etc. If you make the effort and are up for trying anything, you'll have a much more rewarding time there. I went to the Debate Society for a few months, got to know loads of people and practised my English. My humble piece of advice: having a group of Spansh friends is good (I made lifelong friends who I'm still in touch with), but the more contact you have with people from outside of Spain, the better. Don't be lazy, there's time for everything. I went out partying lots, went to my classes, had my group of Spanish friends and also spent time with people from other countries.

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

Totally. Erasmus exchanges should be obligatory! Birmingham will make you grow as a person and I promise you it'll be an experience you'll never regret. I also promise you that everything depends on the attitude you take. Yes, problems will arise: timetabling problems, missing tasty food, the flat you'd got isn't as nice as you expected it to be... but at the end of the day, you'll always remember the good parts, and not the bad.

What's the food like in the United Kingdom?

What is there really to say about UK food?! Learn to cook basic meals and prepare yourself to just east pasta and rice for months at a time.;) There are loads of fast food places (pizzas, burgers... ) in Selly Oak which are pretty cheap. The supermarkets around are Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury's, the latter perhaps being the best of them in terms of value for money and variety of products.

Did you find it hard to find a place to live in Birmingham?

No, since I got in contact with some girls from my university in Córdoba, and they gave me the number of a landlady with a house in Selly Oak - the best neighbourhood to live in if you're going to the University of Birmingham. I paid £220 a month and it was brilliant. There's everything you need around there. Don't get scammed though - I didn't pay a deposit in advance (and would never do it, in any country). In terms of whether you should go for a hall of residence or look for your own flat, since the Erasmus grants are getting less and less, I'd say look for a flat. Flats total around £300 a month, while residences are about £600 even without food costs. In my opinion, they're not worth it.

How expensive is living in Birmingham?

It depends. The minimum is probably about £650 a month. With this amount, you'll be able to live comfortably, travel and go partying. Factor in around £250 for accommodation, £120 for food (supermarket shopping and dinners out), and the rest on travelling (look for offers, Megabus is the best way to get around the UK).

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language class at the university?

I was already B2 level, and by the time I came home, I had improved to level C1. I didn't go to a language class, but there were free English classes at my university. I would recommend you go to them (I did go to them a couple of time). The accent is a hard one to understand, but you get used to it with time. The more you speak, the better. Don't be embarrassed, because nobody is fantastic at the beginning, and you'll get better and better.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Birmingham from your home city?

I used to fly there from Málaga with Ryanair. I had Spanish friends who flew to London and then got the train to Birmingham. You can definitely do this as long as the city you're staying in is reachable from London. The train from London to Birmingham isn't expensive if you buy the ticket online in advance (I think it's about £20).

What are the best places for partying in Birmingham?

O2, Risa, FAB... and house parties, which you find out about on Facebook and which are the best way to get to know new people. The clubs close at 3am!

What about eating out in Birmingham? What are your favourite places?

There are places in the city centre, lots of fast food places which are good value in Selly Oak and around there. Look for restaurants with typical Hindu food to try something different.

What does Birmingham have to offer in terms of culture?

The city centre, the canals (lovely at night).

Do you have any advice for future students coming to Birmingham?

Enjoy every second!

Don't sweat the small stuff. Travel as much as you can.