Erasmus Experience in Dijon, France by Aleksandra

Why did you choose to go to Dijon, France?

France was my first choice to go to for Erasmus, since I was always interested in French culture and wanted to improve my language skills. Initially, I was planning to go to Paris, but I changed my mind and went to Dijon because it's smaller, more French (Paris is great, but you don't get too many French people there, though) - I wanted to experience the culture and life in "real" France. I couldn't have made a better choice! Dijon has one more thing over Paris - prices. Oh and it's perfect to walk to, so unless you're really lazy, drunk, or cold, you don't need to take a bus.

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

My scholarship lasted for about 6 months (but some of my friends I made in Dijon stayed a year) and I received 600 euros per month. However, it was an exceptionally big scholarship and it depends on how many people from your university want to go for an exchange every term and on how well you do as a student.

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

I think so, although it's better if you feel confident about your French before going - all the classes are in French and sometimes it's hard to understand what the lectures are about. It gets easier though after a few weeks. Also, I had some friends who didn't speak French at all before they came - it was tough, but professors managed to understand and people ended up speaking really good French, so don't get discouraged!

What is the food like?

You should definitely try all the local specialities - frogs, snails, boeuf bourguignon- to name but a few. Also, when you're in Burgundy, there is one thing you cannot miss its lovely, lovely WINE.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Dijon?

No, all I needed to do was to fill in the application for student accommodation sent to me by the University and I was assigned a room in the residence on campus without any problems.

How much does it cost to live in Dijon?

600 euros per month was definitely enough: 200 per month for my accommodation and the rest for whatever I wanted.

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

I came from Warsaw - there are no direct flights to Dijon (or really expensive one) so I did something you NEVER want to do: I flew from Warsaw to Paris. Then I had to get to the city by bus, then take the taxi to the train station (don't take the metro in Paris when you have massive bags with you... people are going to hate you), then TGV to Dijon. By the way, did I mention I had 50 kg of luggage on me? It was a torture.

On my way back I took a coach - it takes ages but at least you don't have to kill yourself on escalators, hurt others and yourself with the bags, all in all, you just sit and look grumpy so no one sits next to you (fingers crossed).

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available in the University?

There are, apparently, but the school of so-called life would be the best place to learn French anyway. It has to be said that French people are not good at English, (not in Dijon, in bigger cities they might be a little bit), so don't expect you will get away with not knowing French. Also, they are a bit hermetic and it's not always easy to get inside a group. But, keep on trying, because when you finally get to do it, it usually turns out that it was really worth it. (Find yourself a French boy/girlfriend, it really helps. )

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

Vieux Leon! Ah, Vieux Leon, where everything is sticky and a bar tender is rude and always drunk (and more than you are), where you can buy a bottle of home-made raspberry wine (I would not trust it, but it is delicious). Seriously, the best place in Dijon; whenever you go there, there is a big chance your friends are already there (good for you, because it can be really stuffed with people). Plus, you can smoke inside! (at least you could a year ago).

If not Vieux Leon, just see what's going on in the students' residences, because there is always something going on. And there are a lot of residences, so make sure you have friends in each of them so you get invited to everything.

And how could one forget la Rue Berbisey?, which is plenty of bars or whatever you want really. Byron Bay is maybe not the best place you have been to, but they do beers for 1 euro on Mondays.

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Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Dijon?

Buy an umbrella. And be prepared for almost constant rain between March and June. But you know what? It doesn't really matter because there is always something to do.

If you get a chance, travel around Burgundy and further, there is plenty of gorgeous sites, often slightly off the beaten track, really worth seeing.

Go relax by the Lac Kir.

Buy a bike at La Becane a Jules. The surroundings of Dijon are magnificent and the town itself is bike-friendly. You can get to town from campus in about ten minutes both on the bus and by bike, so there is no need in paying for bus.

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