A year in Cardiff

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

I chose to do my Erasmus in Cardiff to improve my English skills.

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

My exchange lasted for one academic year (September 2010 until June 2011). I received three separate grants (from my university, from the Generalitat de Catalunya and from the Banaja) which totalled approximately 4, 500 euros.

What's the student life like in Cardiff?

Over half the population of Cardiff are students, so the streets are often full of people on their way to classes in the mornings, and the pubs after classes end, too. During the night, there's also a lot going on, whether it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or any other day of the week.

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

Definitely.

The city offers loads of activities even though it's not very large, such as walking through Bute Park, visiting Cardiff Castle, losing yourself on Queen Street or going shopping in the huge shopping centre called Sant Davids. There are also cinemas, theatre, restaurants, bars, the Millenium Stadium where you can watch everything from live music concerts to rugby games.

The university, while it's no Oxford or Cambridge, has a good reputation, above all for its Communication and Public Relations faculties. The professors and the university staff are all very efficient and don't hesitate to help you out if you're having any problems.

What's the food like in the UK?

English food is famous for consisting solely of hamburgers, potatoes and hot dogs, but in reality there is a wide range of restaurants, from Italian to Mexican, Japanese, and even Spanish ones. You can find everything in the supermarkets, so if you're cooking for yourself, you can carry on with the same diet you had back home.

How did you find your accommodation?

The university offers you a room in a hall of residence (where the majority of the first year students live) or a university-owned house (where loads of the international students live). The second year students rent houses in the Chatays area. I chose to live in a university hall (called Talybont South) and though it was slightly far away, it had a great atmosphere and several facilities like the Sports Center and the Social Center.

What are the accommodation prices like? How high are the prices in general?

The halls of residences cost around 3, 000 euros for the whole academic year (this varies a little depending on which residence it is). The prices are a little higher than they are in Spain due to the exchange rate.

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

The English they speak in Cardiff is a bit more complicated than it is normally, and people have quite an accent there. The positive thing is that there are loads of international students, meaning that it's easier to understand them at least. You get used to all the different accents within a few months.

They offer English courses at the university, some with fees and others which are free. Ask and find out!

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

From Catalonia, the cheapest way is to fly from Barcelona with Easyjet, or from other airports with Ryanair.

What places are best for partying in Cardiff?

Live Lounge for those who're looking for somewhere with free entry that closes late. They play live rock music there, from Oasis to Green Day songs, and also ones by the Beatles, the Kooks, the Strokes, Bon Jovi, etc.

Revolution (Revs), Oceana, Tiger Tiger, Glam... for those who are looking for somewhere which doesn't play chart music. Oceana is the most popular. You have to pay to get into all of them.

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

Belinis (pizza place), Fridays (American cuisine), and Pizza Express. The Erasmus grant doesn't leave much left over for going out to restaurants though, so the best thing to do is to go to Woodville (a pub) and buy a deal meal for four pounds with a hamburger, chips and a beer.

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What does Cardiff have to offer in terms of culture?

Cardiff Castle in Bute Park, and the National Museum.

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

Take clothes for cold weather with you, because the winter's very cold there.