Anna's Erasmus Experience in Chicago, United States

Why did you choose to go to Chicago, United States?

I was given a scholarship to study at the University of Chicago. Once I graduated I decided to stay to do an internship.

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How long was your scholarship for? How much money did you receive?

My scholarship was for a joint honours degree at Benedictine University, Chicago. Once I finished my Business Management degree in Spain, I did one year here in the States and then my degree was validated within the American University system. I studied at Benedictine University for 10 months.

I didn’t receive a lot of money, €1, 500 for the year. However, with some scholarships it’s possible to study at an American University without paying anything except the living costs. The university I studied at cost between $30, 000 and $35, 000 a year.

How is the student life in Chicago?

Honestly, it’s really good. People are really open and friendly towards international students. The students are very competitive in class and take their grades and everything very seriously.

They love going out but you have to be careful if you’re under 21, they’re very strict about underage drinking.

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Would you recommend Chicago as a city and University to other students?

Of course! Chicago is a beautiful city... despite being very cold!

Studying abroad, getting to know a different language and culture is an incredible experience and will open many doors for your future career.

How is the food?

Chicago is one of the best cities in the US in terms of gastronomy. There are countless different types restaurants to choose from. The city’s famous for its Deep Dish Pizza.

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Was it difficult to find accommodation in Chicago?

The university actually organised my campus accommodation, but when I moved to the city for an internship it wasn’t difficult to find a flat at all. I would recommend using Craigslist to look for listings.

What is the cost of living in Chicago?

Living in a city is pretty expensive. Rent costs quite a lot so I recommend sharing unless you want to spend $1, 000 a month.

The public transport is expensive too, both the bus and subway cost $2. 25 per journey.

How did you get on with the language? Did you attend a course at the University?

No, in order to get my scholarship, I first needed to pass a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam with the minimum grade.

What’s the most cost-effective way to get to Chicago from your hometown?

The only direct flight from Spain is Madrid-Chicago. If you book your flight ahead of time you can get a good deal. If you have to do a transfer I would always recommend doing it in Europe or a small airport in the US. Try to avoid doing a stop-over somewhere like New York or Miami. You could end up waiting 2 hours to get through customs.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Chicago?

To be honest I don’t know much about the night life... but there are thousands of bars and other places in Downtown Chicago. I would recommend going to one of the jazz clubs, they’re brilliant.

What about eating out in Chicago? Can you tell us some of your favourite places?

Some of my favourite places are: Avec, Little Goat, Southport Grossery (for breakfast), Lou Manatis (for deep dish pizza).

What is there in terms of cultural places to visit?

There are loads of museums, my favourites are:

• Art Institute
• Natural History Museum
• Planetarium

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Do you have any advice for future students in Chicago?

If you go during winter... take a thick coat! Temperatures can often reach -20°C.