Rut's Erasmus Experience in Cambridge, United Kingdom

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

I chose Cambridge because the University of Cambridge has a very good programme of study in practically all of its degree courses, but especially in English Literature, which is what I studied there.

How long does your grant last for? How much money do you receive as financial support?

I went there thanks to the Erasmus grant, so the amount of money that you receive depends, in part, on your university of origin. In addition to this, at the end of the year, I also received a grant from the Government of Castilla y León, which meant that, by the end of my exchange, you could say that my stay (accommodation and food in my college) was covered almost entirely by grants. However, money for other expenses was not covered by the money received through the grants.

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What is student life like in Cambridge?

Cambridge is a university city; in other words, the majority of its population are students. However, it's not a 'university city' like they are usually known in Spain. Although people go out at night, they also dedicate a lot of time to studying because their methods of teaching and evaluation are very different to ours. Us Erasmus students make up a very small percentage of the student population there, but, despite this, they still give you lots of support so that you adapt to their teaching style.

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

Obviously I recommend the University of Cambridge: being able to study there is a privilege, not only for what you learn at an academic level, but also for all of its traditions, the distinct operation of each college, and the community feel that they have.

What is the food like in the United Kingdom?

The food in the United Kingdom is very different to that of Spain, however, once you adapt to their eating schedules and their food, there are no problems. I also have to emphasise that the food that they served me had different origins - that's to say that you have to get used to food from different countries, like China, India, etc.

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Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Cambridge?

Accommodation was provided to me by the university, so, in my case, I didn't have the opportunity to choose where I was going to live.

How much does it cost to live in Cambridge?

Despite the UK having a higher cost of living than Spain, life in Cambridge, in particular, can end up being even more expensive from time to time.

What is the language like? Did you go to any language classes at the university?

As an English Philology student in Spain, I was going to the classes that corresponded with my degree in the English Faculty and to meetings with my different supervisors once a week in the different colleges at the university.

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What is the cheapest way of getting to Cambridge from your city?

The best way of getting to Cambridge is to fly to Stansted Airport in London and, once there, take a train heading in the direction of Cambridge, which I think takes around half an hour more or less.

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Cambridge?

Each nightclub in Cambridge had a specific day designated to a certain genre of music, for example: Mondays had pop music, Tuesdays, rap, etc. Personally, I really liked a place called Fez.

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And eating out in Cambridge? Can you mention your favourite places?

My favourite place to eat out at in Cambridge was Vodka Revolution, situated just in front of Emmanuel College, and on Mondays, there was a 50% discount offer.

And cultural hotspots?

Cambridge is a really small city with a large number of colleges, all of which with their own charm. Basically, this is pretty much the extent of what's on offer tourism-wise; being one of the most important universities in the world with a distinct teaching style to the rest. However, it's worth visiting some of those buildings, as they are usually open to the public. And, I also recommend, whether you are religious or not, going to evening mass at King's College - the most famous college at Cambridge - as it's very, very different to mass in Spain.

Is there any advice that you want to give to future students in Cambridge?

Cambridge is a city that you fall in love with, where you can learn lots of things - not only academically, but it also on a personal level. The 'Erasmus experience' is a unique opportunity, for which the best advice that anyone can offer you is just to enjoy the city and enjoy life at the university, as it's very different to that of Spain or of any other city in the UK (except Oxford).

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