Erasmus Experience in Canterbury, United Kingdom by Paula

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

Out of all the cities in England, Canterbury is one of the ones which has the best weather. Also, the city has a student population of 40%, creating a really great atmosphere.

How much financial aid did you receive?

I get 400 euros a month through the Erasmus+ grant.

What is the student lifestyle like in Canterbury?

Really good. Every weekend the pubs here organise small parties which loads of people go to. Also, there are popular bars which have a great atmosphere, and there are even poetry recitals and live music.

As Canterbury has three universities, the city organises lots of activities for people our age.

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

Without a doubt. The city is lovely, it's like something out of a fairy tale. The people are very nice and there are lots of different shops. On top of that, you don't need a car to get around the city.

What do you think of the food?

Well, despite England not being well known for their food, I tried their traditional Sunday dinner: Sunday Roast, and honestly, it was really good. Also, they have all kinds of different restaurants: Italian, Mexican, Greek, American, Mediterranean, etc.

Did it cost you to find accommodation in Canterbury?

It's really easy to find accommodation. As the city is full of students, the usual mobile accommodation apps have loads of options: such as Easyroommate and Spareroom for example. If not, on Facebook there are pages where people are happy to help you in your search.

How much does it cost to live in Canterbury?

It depends on how you shop and how you organise yourself. My accommodation cost me around £450 pounds a month. Then I have to add expenses of around £150 on food, plus transport, house and lifestyle essentials, which can come to around £400 extra per month. But as I said, it depends on how you organise yourself.

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Is the language easy to get to grips with? Did you do a language course with the University?

Yes, it is. I already knew quite a lot of English and from living permanently with English-speakers, I improved my knowledge of expressions and fluency.

I didn't go to any University language courses.

What is the most economical way to travel to Canterbury from your city?

There a few options when going from London to Canterbury: train or bus. If we're talking about a normal working day, and if I have time to catch it, you can get a bus ticket for £5 to London Victoria. If it goes up to £10 you can get the train which is more comfortable and goes for the same price.

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

Without a doubt, the Cuban. They have different rooms playing different music and it's a really good vibe. Normally entry costs £5 and every weekend there's a different night out.

Is it good to eat out in Canterbury? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

To eat traditional English food, you can go to Old Weavers House, it's really good - it's a typical English place and it's reasonably priced. I've been told that West Gate Inn is really great as well, but every time I try to go there it is chock-full of people. And of course, if you want a snack in a nice location and good desserts, Kaspa's or Creams Cafe are amazing - for lovers of waffles, crepes, milkshakes and ice-creams.

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Canterbury Cathedral and lots of really nice parks.

What advice would you give future students heading to Canterbury?

Enjoy yourself and make the most of the experience, as Canterbury is a brilliant city to do your Erasmus in.