Erasmus Experience in Edinburgh, UK

Why did you choose to go to Edinburgh, UK?

Well, I wanted to go to the UK for my Erasmus year and Edinburgh was the only university that had an agreement with my university (Malaga). But also because I had visited the city a few years before and I loved it. It has a great university atmosphere and you meet people from all over the world, not just Europe.

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How much was your grant? How money did you receive as support?

I went for 8 months and received €600 per month.

What’s the student atmosphere like in Edinburgh?

The city has numerous universities. I went to the University of Edinburgh and the campuses for that uni are in the centre of the city. The student atmosphere is one of the best I have ever seen. There are students all over the place, especially in places close to the campus. There are lots of parties, bars and venues to go to, and there are also excursions and trips to other cities close to Edinburgh that you can go on, the majority of which have a discount for students.

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

Definitely! I have had the best time while living in this city, and I think that it is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. The University of Edinburgh also has lots of history and is one of the best universities in Europe.

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What is the country’s food like?

There is a huge variety of restaurants of all different cuisines, from local to international like Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Indian etc.

You can also find a wide variety of products in supermarkets so it isn’t difficult to adapt yourself and make good food.

How did you find accommodation?

Before I went to Edinburgh I started to look for accommodation online on different webpages especially for student accommodation, and I also used the university’s website. I then arranged dates to view some flats. For the first two or three days in the city I stayed in a hostel temporarily while I looked around some flats and was still deciding where I wanted to stay. On the third day I moved into my new flat. There is lots of student accommodation as well, but I personally wanted to live in a private flat.

What are accommodation prices like? And prices in general?

The average rent price is around £400 a month which is about 450 euros, whether that be a flat or student accommodation. The accommodation close to the centre is usually more expensive but there are also cheaper ones a bit further out.

The prices in general are cheaper than other cities in the UK like London. Some things are more expensive here than in Spain, but then others can be quite similar. There are student discounts for all types of things and events, like excursions, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, bars etc.

How's the language? Did you go on a course at the university?

I could already speak English quite well so it wasn’t that difficult for me to adapt and I didn’t go on a course. But the people are really friendly and they understand that you are foreign and so will help you to communicate with them.

What is the cheapest way for you to get to Edinburgh from your home town?

Flying. With low cost companies I can usually get relatively cheap flights.

What places would you recommend for nightlife in Edinburgh?

The COWGATE area has lots of pubs and clubs where lots of students go out and there are parties every night of the week. The club HIVE is one of the most popular among students in this area.

For more exclusive and chic places, George Street has the best clubs in the city, such as OPAL Lounge, WHY NOT and Mansion.

What about eating out in Edinburgh? What are you favourite places?

On Nicholson Street and South Bridge there are loads of restaurants and cafes where you can eat really nice food for a good price. Forest Café is a place that sells organic food that I loved, where you can relax with live music and play board games. It is located on Forest Road.

Around Princess Street you will find the most well-known and chain restaurants where you can also get some really good food.

And what about sightseeing?

All of Edinburgh is beautiful to see. In winter you can’t miss the Christmas market on Princess Street. The Meadows in spring is great for picnics and playing outside. Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat are without a doubt the places to go for the best views of the city.

There are lots of museums and art galleries which are free to enter and there are also some which you have to pay to get into.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh isn’t a really big city but there is so much to see and do, so make sure you don’t waste your time and make the most of everything that there is to do. You are going to love the city. I also recommend visiting other cities near to Edinburgh like Glasgow, St Andrews and Newcastle. You can travel to these cities and enjoy what they offer all in a day from Edinburgh.