Erasmus Experience in Canterbury, United Kingdom by Mathilde

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

I already wanted to study in an English-speaking country, and moreover, the University of Kent offered modules that interested me (history and modern languages).

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How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I am here for 6 months. As help, I have my national student bursary which is 100 euros a month, along with a Erasmus grant that at the moment goes up to 960 euros for the whole trip. The grant will be adjusted once I have finished my Erasmus.

What is the student lifestyle like in Canterbury?

I have to admit that I was expecting a bit more of an "atmosphere". In general, the campus is very calm. There is a night club which is most popular on a Saturday night, at that time, there's lots of people there.

But apart from that, the campus is very friendly and lively.

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

Yes! The public transport works really well in the University area and the city. There is a big choice of shops in the city centre, and also a good choice of supermarkets, so that you can shop according to your budget.

What do you think of the food?

I haven't seen that many differences to the food in France. Of course there are things that are unique to England, but nothing that special.

Was it difficult to find your accommodation in Canterbury?

No, thanks to the university website and their enrolling process, I had a large choice of accommodations on the campus. You had to make of list of what you wanted and then wait to see what you were allocated.

How much does it cost to live in Canterbury?

The cost of accommodation is very high, you need to have around 3, 000 euros for a stay of 6 months, for just one room. In terms of general life, there are supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl which are designed for small budgets. In terms of public transport, it is 3 euros for a day ticket. However, there are various subscriptions available depending on what you're looking for.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Did you attend a university language course?

I effectively chose a module that didn't help me to learn the language, but more how to use and manipulate it in the type of work required for the other subjects. These types of coursework are very different to the ones that we have in France.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Canterbury from your city?

Personally, I mainly travelled by plane. The cheapest tickets are available from easyJet. Then after that, you have to take a train from London.

To save money, it's possible to get a bus from Paris to London. However, you have to expect around an 8 hour journey, in addition to the one from London to Canterbury.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Canterbury?

From what I've heard, the nightclub on campus is good (The Venue) but there is another one in the city centre which is popular (Chemistry).

What's it like to eat out in Canterbury? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

I mostly had a lot of fast-food here. But there is an enormous choice of restaurants which cater to different budgets and tastes, which are really good. I recommend Tulip, which is an excellent Turkish restaurant, and Prezzo, an Italian restaurant.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There isn't an enormous amount of things to visit in Canterbury, except for the Cathedral. However, it is really nice to have a wander around the city. There are some really pretty gardens for nature lovers.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Canterbury in the future?

You need to be ready to get your head down and work, it's a must! However, socialising as much as you can is the best thing to do.