My Erasmus Experience in Glasgow, Scotland by Matthieu

Why did you choose to go to Glasgow, Scotland?

I chose to go to Glasgow to learn English in order to help me with my work prospects in the future. I also heard about the student life which you will never get bored of in Glasgow!

How long's your stay? What financial aid do you receive?

I'm here for around 10 months. I receive an Erasmus grant of 2800€ as well as a regional French bursary of 800€ and 600€ from my university.

What's the student vibe like in Glasgow?

Amazing! There's a huge amount of students that live there and lots of events. You can go out every night and there's somewhere for everyone, there's so many bars and nightclubs. All the different nationalities all add even more to the charm of the city.

Would you recommend the city or university to other students?

Yes! The city has everything you need and is the perfect starting point to discover the rest of Scotland! It's my first choice for a student destination.

What's Scotland's food like?

Being French, the food is the hardest part about travelling. The quality and diversity of the food was, of course, poor and it was pricey.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Glasgow?

No. I found accommodation with an Irish student direct through Gumtree. However, I do know that a lot of my friends found it more difficult. You have to look and book early and be patient!

What are living costs like in Glasgow?

The euros to pounds conversion means that living in Glasgow is quite a bit more expensive than at home. But with a bit of research and skill, we found ways to save money.

What's it like learning the language there? Did you take part in a language course organised by the university?

You learn quickly- just focus and be attentive. I recommend following an English TV series or watching English films to practise. I didn't take part in one of the university's language courses.

What's the most economical way to get to Glasgow from your home town?

I'm originally from Normandie, which is relatively close to Paris. EasyJet is the cheapest airline and they fly from Charles de Gaulle airport. Flybe is also pretty good too.

Where do you recommend to go out in Glasgow?

To go out in the city centre, I recommend going to Bath Street where there are loads of different types of bars. There's also several night clubs where you can dance to electro, rock or dance near the Central Train Station. There's also the West End, which is the university quarter of Glasgow, as well as Ashton Lane, which is a little area where students like to meet up and have a drink.

And to eat in Glasgow? What are your favourite places?

There's many places; you have Walkabout in the centre which is an Australian bar which serves really good burgers. You can eat at The Campus for practically nothing as you're a student. The Two Figs in the West End is my favourite restaurant; they serve a seafood soup and delicious tapas.

And what cultural places do you recommend going to see?

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a gigantic free museum where you can learn about the History of Scottish Art and it also includes references to French realism painters, Ancient Egypt and Prehistoric times. There's so much to discover!

Any advice for future students going to Glasgow?

Thoroughly enjoy yourself! Travel, discover as many things as you can, and don't hesitate to integrate yourself in to the local population!