Erasmus Experience at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom by Simona

(All photos are the property of the author).

Central Campus, University of Warwick.

Why did you decide to go to Coventry (University of Warwick), United Kingdom

The University of Warwick was my first choice on my list of Erasmus locations I could go to because it is one of the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom and because the educational offer for my degree was (and still is) truly vast and interesting. The university site really is well structured, and this I think is quite important for an applicant because it provides an insight into the organisation of the university. Although, I was perplexed by the fact that it was not a university located in a city or town but rather a campus (in fact the University of Warwick is located in the countryside of the city of Coventry which, already having the university of the same name, named this university after a delightful town nearby on the Avon river called Warwick). My choice proved to be a winning one.

The Piazza - University of Warwick campus

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

The grant offered by the Sapienza University of Rome, which is where I come from, lasts for 5 months and (if you decide) it can be extended. The Erasmus grant for the United Kingdom is €280 per month. The La Sapienza adds an additional monthly amount, as does the Ministry of Public Education, at the end of the period.

What is the student lifestyle like at Warwick?

The student atmosphere in Warwick is very varied and, in my opinion, stimulating. There are, naturally, people from all over the world and all are very focused on academic performance. There are many university and non-university initiatives, both on campus and in nearby towns, the most lively of which is Leamington Spa (also known as "Leamington" or "Leam"). The student societies organise some evenings out there because there are so many nice pubs, bars and clubs.

One of the campus's largest gathering points is the main Library, as well as the numerous bars scattered around. The Learning Grid is another space available to students and the division of silent areas (dedicated to studying) and those where it is permitted to talk and chat is very useful. Everyone lives inside the comfortable campus "bubble" in a student-friendly environment.

The Oculus Building - room for lectures and workshops.

The lessons are interesting and stimulating. I studied with the humanities department, so we were always separated into "lectures", which are educational talks, and "seminars", which are interactive moments where the student is subjected to continuous questions and must demonstrate that they have a good critical and analytical ability regarding the topical text or discussion. Unlike what happens in Italy, the lessons take up the least part of the university time in fact, you have about an hour and a half or two hours of lessons per subject per week. You might happen to have four to six hours of lessons for the whole week, whilst in Italy they usually have six hours of lessons a day depending on how busy the semesters from hell might get. In England, the majority of your time is dedicated to independent study and not to lessons. The evaluation of your grades can be based on participation in the lesson, on presentations, group work or on various written pieces requested during the course as well as on the final essay. Most of the time the final essay or essays are worth 100% of the course grade, so it is necessary to do well in them, to write in a clear and articulated way following all the necessary rules, including for the bibliography. That is a list of where you got your sources from. For this reason, lessons are suspended or finished when date of exams and the deadlines for final essays approach, and everyone is dedicated to reading and writing essays, with the library consequently overcrowding. At that point the real inconvenience is having to search for a seat or a socket to charge your laptop from. But we all survived those periods of time.

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

I would certainly recommend the University of Warwick, because it undoubtedly offers many opportunities from the humanistic and professional point of view. The atmosphere is vibrant, you are surrounded by experienced professors, helpful staff, people who care about the environment and who enjoy sport (there is always someone running, even when it rains, it's incredible! ) and so many people from diverse cultures. It is not difficult to meet people who are similar to you, because the university (especially the English ones, very selective) allows us to identify the affinities between people, joined together by academic and future career interests, a willingness to put themselves to the test and common passions and hobbies. At the same time, there will be diametrically different people in a variety of ways, such as customs, preferences, and foods (some of which are truly mind-boggling). I have met people who are trilingual, I have made friends with people who would casually eat pasta with ketchup and pineapple pizza despite my looks of disapproval, I witnessed absurd hangovers and experienced embarrassing moments due to unavoidable linguistic misunderstandings. It's all a part of the game.

That said, the opportunities for growth and new experiences, as well as those of a different quality of academic life, are so high that I couldn't help but recommend a university like Warwick.

Original edition of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley - The Main Library, University of Warwick.

What is the food like in the country?

As for the food, well, you are still in England, so you shouldn't hold very high expectations. Nevertheless, the dishes of my flatmates (it turns out that I am very greedy) were almost always inviting (apart from the aforementioned pasta with ketchup).

A big Tesco supermarket is near to campus. It is very well stocked, but the fruit and vegetables are unfortunately of low quality, especially according to us Italians that are accustomed to the Mediterranean diet (some more than others). Within the campus is a Grocery Store, a little more expensive but really quite convenient for a quick shop if you don't have time to go to Tescos.

Fresh bread at the Grocery Store.

Then you can find fresh bread, as well as various desserts and sweets (as buttery as possible) and various other fast foods, such as sandwiches that will fill your belly if you can't go home for a larger lunch or a warm dinner (there are those who spend the whole night in Library, which can be done because it is open 24/7 ).

You certainly eat well both on and off campus (for example, in Kenilworth and Leamington). On campus I recommend the Dirty Duck pub and Varsity (which might be the better one) for a typical English breakfast and for the legendary fish and chips. Then there are places that serve Asian food and other food from all over the world (Fusion) and there are sandwich places/ delis (Bread Oven).

Dish from the Dirty Duck.

Fish and chips from the Dirty Duck.

Once a month, if I remember correctly, there is a market with many street food stands that I really liked, so I would recommend going. There are English dessers, Thai noodles, churro and, when it is warmer, 99 ice-creams. Of course, nothing particularly healthy or dietetic, but even those on a diet are there, as well as those who take advantage of the gym subscription offers.

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Coventry/ the University of Warwick?

I had the possibility of living on campus, and furthermore, I got my first choice (Jack Martin). I had this option because my Erasmus was contracted to be for 5 months and not for the entire year. A 9-month stay was the reason why other Erasmus students were not able to stay on campus. They had to look for alternative accommodation.

The door to my room with my personalised name tag.

I had an en-suite single room (complete with a name tag on the door) and I shared a kitchen with 12 other people (it was kept quite clean and tidy so it wasn't repellent). It was very cute and comfortable, with a pea-green wall, criticised by many but it put me in a good mood. The desk was spacious and there was a night stand, shelves for books, a chest of drawers and a wardrobe. The bathroom was also basic but functional and comfortable. The only flaw, but a classic English must-have, was the carpet.

A few of my friends, as I said before, had an Erasmus contract that lasted for the whole academic year. They told me that they were faced with more difficulties, but I remember that it is this same university that provides housing in shared accommodation with other students. However, the University Team that is in charge of allocating students off-campus accommodation might also offer less attractive places to stay, such as Canley. I would suggest, if you have the choice, not taking a place in a house there, despite being the closest location, reachable on foot and with a station stop nearby. The university sent emails to bring to the student's attention the possibility of incurring unpleasant incidents (for example: small thefts). If you can, it would be better to live on campus or in Leamington (which you can get to by bus). They also told me that they have a tendency to merge Erasmus students at the same university into the same house, something the students have partially complained about because they would have preferred to have more linguistic opportunities and maybe live with someone who was a native English speaker. Here, among other things, in this type of accommodation, I have noticed that an entire house might be made up of just Erasmus students, whilst living on campus provides greater opportunity to have English roommates. The only "disadvantage" to on campus accommodation is that you will most likely put with "freshers" (that is to say, people in their first year), who are around eighteen/ nineteen, which is what happened to me. In reality, I didn't have a problem with this and I had a great time. Some of my roommates in particular became my friends and I adored them; we went on trips together, went out for lunches and dinners, and we shared a lot of memorable moments. But it is good to know that scenario might happen to you; a twenty-three-year-old student living with people five years younger than them. For some people, this might cause discomfort and displeasure. Situations like this can happen because the first year students are invited to stay on campus, while in their second year and beyond they are generally forced to find a home off campus. Often, a degree programme might obligate a year abroad and, therefore, when they return they are allowed to stay on campus in their fourth-year, at least if they wouldn't prefer to live off campus. Then there are accommodations for postgraduates only, for people who are much older.

Nevertheless, whether it's accommodation on campus or off campus, you can safely reject the university's offer and seek your own accommodation yourself.

How much does it cost to live in Coventry/ the University of Warwick

Life in England is expensive. A simple coffee at the university bar will cost you nearly £2. Considering that the Erasmus grant is really small in relation to the cost of Anglo-Saxon life, it is necessary to know right away that all expenses (from accommodation to food) are burdened onto the student. My accommodation was expensive (but it wasn't the most expensive) and I spent about £150 a week. However, I paid half the total rental fee in advance when I accepted the accommodation, and the other half later, so there is no need to pay from week to week or from month to month as you watch your budget decrease before your own eyes. Utility costs are included, unlike in private homes.

I did not record a monthly average of my expenses but, in general, considering the nights out, the trips and the bus journeys (the return route from the campus to Coventry city costs £4 and it is a 10 minute journey) you need to have a generally generous budget. Everything depends on how much you are a saver or a spender. :)

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the university?

As for the language, the university offers useful English courses for international students that I recommend taking because they give the opportunity to meet new people and, if in the beginning you find yourself demoralised or with a mental-block, they allow you to relax and become more confident. I came with a good level of English and lived with people whose mother-tongue was English and, slowly but surely, I improved. I still continued with the courses, however, because I thought they were really good, both because of the teachers and my course-mates, and there are various activities that can be useful at an academic level. As for the rest, there are many Erasmus students, so it is easy to pick up conversations here and there in your own language, and the temptation to fraternise with your fellow citizens is irresistible. But you should look to be with both people from abroad and with English people to make the most of the experience. Personally, it worked for me.

Mother duck and her ducklings on campus - University of Warwick.

What is the cheapest way to get to Coventry/ the University of Warwick from your city?

When I traveled from Rome to Birmingham (the nearest airport) I used a low-cost British company, Monarch, which allowed you to travel with up to 50kg of luggage (1x 10kg hand luggage and 2x 20kg bags each) at generous prices. As far as I know this company no longer exists. Once you have arrived at Birmingham Airport, however, you can take a train to Canley or to Coventry. From Coventry you can then take a bus or taxi (or Uber) to campus, if you don't live in Coventry itself that is. Or you can take a direct bus from Birmingham to Coventry and then you, once again, take a bus to the campus. The train doesn't cost a lot of money because all of the stops are quite close to one another. Once upon a time there was the Oxford Airlines that connected the airport directly with the campus for 4 pounds, but this company too was discontinued. I write about it anyway because if they were to restore the service, it would be good to know that it is the best alternative.

What places would you recommend going to for a night out?

You can always find somewhere to go for a night out, whether it's on campus or in the nearby towns and cities. Leamington, as I said before, is a very lively and young town. There are so many pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs and also several shops (it's a dangerous place to go if you don't want to go shopping! ). In Leam I would recommend Bedford Street, off the Parade (the name of Leamington's high street) where there is often live music and where you can dance. It was introduced to me by an English friend, and we returned there many times as a group.

Bedford Street in Leamington Spa.

In England, people often go on pub crawls, where you go from pub to pub, drinking in one and then in the next one and so on. But you never get bored of it.

On campus there is also a cinema (which is officially a property of the Art Centre) or there are screenings hosted by the Film Society where you can watch films for a small fee in a lecture hall in the Chemistry Department (I believe it to be the Chemistry Department) that has a large stage and is built like an arena. Every four stamps on your card (or every four films watched) constitutes a free film viewing. On campus there is also always a room dedicated to pool, which the English use quite a lot. The various pubs etc., such as the Dirty Duck, organise some themed nights. Once a week, for example, there is a Quiz Night and a Karaoke Night.

And for eating at the Coventry/ University of Warwick? Can you recommend some good places to eat?

I have already talked about places to eat, of which there are quite a few, both on campus and off campus. In both Leamington and Coventry you can find the classic food places such as Nando's, Bill's, Zizzi, Wagamama and the usual McDonald's but also unique places and different tea rooms where you can try a delicious cream tea.

"Cream Tea", made up of English Breakfast Tea, scones, clotted cream and jam.

What cultural sites are there to visit?

As cultural sites to visit, I would always advise a visit to Leamington, where there are various signs for the town that explain the history and fortune of the place known for its thermal baths.

Coventry, unfortunately, was destroyed by bombs in the Second World War (hence the term "Coventry Blitz") and it's now not very pretty.

But, Birmingham, a big and very modern city, is worth a visit. And among the various places to see I would make a note of Stratford upon Avon, the town of Shakespeare, which is really nice, clean, neat and cared for, as well as full of things to see. All of the various houses and properties that belonged to Shakespeare's family are very beautiful but, regardless, the town just in itself deserves at least a walk-through.

Shakespeare's house (one of many properties), Stratford-upon-Avon.

Kenilworth, even closer to campus than Leamington, is another lovely town, despite being very small. There are the ruins of the castle, which is perhaps not worth visiting because of the cost of the ticket which is quite steep, but, going around the outside, it is very impressive.

View of a street in Kenilworth.

I left the little town of Warwick until last, the place that gave the university its name and which is truly not to be missed.

High street, Warwick.

In addition to the typical English streets, with the white and black houses of the Tudor era, it has a castle and a beautiful park all around it. Students at the University of Warwick have a discount and I would definitely advise you to visit. The castle is well kept and there are various parts to visit. The interior is fully furnished and there are statues that imitate occupations and customs from the era.

Statue of a maid with a baby, Warwick Castle

The route is interactive and even if much of the visit is designed for children (for example, there is a maze as soon as you enter), you are sure to have fun.

The Maze, Warwick Castle.

They organize historical re-enactments, very good, and strolls through well-kept gardens with peacocks and ducks waddling freely all around (the University of Warwick itself is located on a protected reserve and therefore it becomes very normal to see rabbits, hares, squirrels, ducks and various birds running around or under your window).

The garden, Warwick Castle.

Finally, the university itself and other external companies, organise trips to various parts of the United Kingdom with coaches that depart from campus. In this way I was able to visit Nottingham, Wollaton House and Sherwood Forest. Furthermore, with Megabus you can get to Oxford in no time, and London is about two hours away in distance from Coventry. The proximity to Birmingham Airport also enables you to enjoy low-cost flights to other destinations. I, for example, went to Dublin in less than an hour (or just about an hour) by flying.

Signboard at the beginning of Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest.

Any advice that you would give to future students going to Coventry?

I think everyone has their own, unique Erasmus experience based on their character and interests. The only advice I could give would be to not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the climate (it often rains and, yes, it is cold and grey), by the language barrier and by the English way of doing things (which sometimes confirms the clichés). Some Erasmus students did not feel at ease even after a while because they hadn't managed to socialise enough with the locals and because they found a way to complain about many, many things. I instead suggest taking advantage of the situation by trying to make as many new experiences as possible, joining a society, playing a sport and attending organised events. For example, the languages cafe is a good way to meet new people and also to break the ice and strive to talk in English outside of academic hours, or in any other language you know or want to learn more about. I ended up getting to know people from all over the world that maybe went there to speak Spanish but afterwards went back to their English group (the change in languages is difficult for them too ehehe), or there are also many English people who are learning the Italian language or who just came back from their Erasmus period in Italy and talk about it with people from overseas, allowing for a tandem practice (speaking a little in one language, and then in another).

The simple fact of being far from home, being independent and being able to do things that, at first, you thought you would never be able to do is what makes an Erasmus a unique and unforgettable experience. And if you meet people who you will then always carry in your heart then even better.

Me with Wollaton House in the background.