How to choose a city for your Erasmus experience

Let's say that there are no limits... Where would you choose to go?

The reality is a little different. You will probably have a limited list of cities to choose from (obviously dependent on the faculty), some of which will be more or less interesting to you. You can apply to three different places, and then you will be given points depending on your credits, your linguistical knowledge and your own personal motivations.

So, your choice of city is a very personal choice, but let's run through the basics.

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What language do you speak?

This will usually be your first consideration: which language do you want to learn or perfect?

If you want to visit an English-speaking country or at least somewhere with a good level of English, don't spend too long worrying about where to go, especially if you already speak a reasonable level of English. As long as you don't speak like Rinzi in SHISH you should get on fine!

Those of you who come from southern European countries may find yourselves wary of the northern countries - maybe there isn't such good weather as in Greece, famous cuisine as in Italy or the party atmosphere that you can find in Spain, but it is the perfect opportunity to discover a completely different culture to your own. Despite what they say about the Dutch, Germans and English... they're actually not cold and reserved, and it only takes a beer (or two) to turn them into super sociable people!

If you don't want to or can't go to an English speaking country, you are left mainly with Spain, Portugal and France (also Germany if you already have a decent level of German).

For Spain, Portugal and Italy you don't need any particular preparation, beyond applying to your university of choice. In fact, a will to learn should be enough! This is probably true for France as well.

Be careful when looking at countries with more complicated langauges (such as Poland, Hungary, etc. ) that they have your courses in English!

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London Underground tube map

Study plan compatibility

I'm sorry, but you have to think about this as well! In fact, you will have to contact the foreign office or at least check the websites to see if the courses you want to take abroad are compatible. The good thing is that you can take exams from different years without doing the preparation.

From what I know of the French system, there are a few problems, at least for the scientific sections. As they explained to me, instead of being Anatomy, Physiology, etc. there is instead Respiratory Systems, Nervous Systems, etc... (with anatomy, physiology).

Spain, Portugal and Italy have fairly similar systems to one another, so if you are doing an exchange from one to another I am sure you won't have a problem.

I don't know much about the systems of other countries, so I prefer not to give you the wrong information!

Number of inhabitants

Another point which may be important to you is the size of the city; Nice is very different to Paris, and it's not the same going to London instead of Bristol.

I originally wanted to study in Granada, an excellent university in the south of Spain. Granada is a city where you can have a lot of fun but you will probably be going out with the same people all the time. I see it all the time in Genoa, where I am currently studying - the Spanish Erasmus students only seem to go out together. This is ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN, by the way;)

I think that Madrid is the perfect compromise (and yes, I'm biased!). A very liveable capital city, I like to think of it. London and Paris are clearly too chaotic and spread out to really make the most of your Erasmus exchange.

Another capital city in which I would consider studying is Lisbon, a city which steals your heart. The people are wonderfully kind and the city doesn't sprawl too much.

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Cost of living

If you don't want to spend too much, take England, the Nordic countries and Paris off your list. Even Madrid is quite expensive compared to the rest of Spain (but still cheaper than the northern European countries).

Portugal and the south of Spain are a good compromise. If you really want to live like a king, head to eastern Europe where I'm told the cost of living is low and you can have a lot of fun!

The European Union scholarship is around €230 per month, to which you can add any scholarships from your faculty. In Madrid I was spending around €1000 per month, while in Genoa I spend €600-700, just to give you an idea.

Remember to check the average cost of the ticket to and from your own country, too.

Quality of the food

A very important factor in your decision, given that you will often be eating at home. You probably already know the Mediterranean countries are famous for their quality fresh and healthy cuisine, so we're talking about Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece. I'm not saying that you will eat badly in other places, but these countries' reputation marches far ahead of them!

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Nightlife / Day life

See some of my other posts.

What does your instinct say?!

I will leave you with another of the typical quotes that I like to finish with:

The first few days I couldn't get much further than the Door of the Sun: there I would stay for hours and hours, and I enjoyed myself so much that I would have liked to stay the whole day. It is a square worthy of fame; not just for its size and beauty but also for the people, the life and the variety of scenes that show themselves throughout the day. It's not like the other squares: it is at one and the same time a hall, a walk, a theatre, an academy, a garden, a meeting point and a market. (Anonymous)

See you next time! Let me know what you think.

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