Erasmus Experience in Gloucester, England by Andrea

Why did you choose Gloucester, England?

To improve my English.

How long was the experience? How much money did you receive from the grant?

3 months and around €1000. Bearing in mind the living cost there, it wasn't even enough to pay for the rent, so I managed to find somewhere cheap.

What is the student life like in Gloucester?

I was doing work experience, so I didn't go to the university there.

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

Yeah, it's really pretty, more like a big village than a city in terms of the architecture. Also, at weekends the clubs stay open until 4.30a. m. and English people really like going out. That being said, going out for a drink can cost an arm and a leg.

What's the food like?

If you like pre-cooked food, pizzas and things, you're in luck because it's the cheapest option and there's plenty of it. However, I recommend taking some vacuum-packed ham and other Spanish food with you. You'll end up missing it otherwise.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Gloucester?

Not too hard. I looked on 'spareroom' and to tell you the truth, negotiating was quite simple, even from being in Spain. As I was only going to be there for three months, I found something cheap near the centre.

How much does it cost to live in Gloucester?

€350 which is about 250 pounds, was enough for a month. Sometimes less, and without overspending.

How was the language? Did you sign up to any courses at the University?

The accent was quite easy to understand.

What's the cheapest way to get to Gloucester from your city?

In my opinion, flying to London with Ryanair and then getting the train from Paddington to Gloucester was the cheapest.

What places would you recommend if you want to go on a night out in Gloucester?

The strip, where all the bars are together, in the centre. You'll know exactly where it is because you can hear all the people there.

And what about eating? Can you tell us your favourite places?

I still haven't been out to eat because of the cost of living there, but I recommend going to Asda to buy all your food and other necessities. They sell everything from clothes, bedding and towels to shampoo and phones...

And what about places to visit?

What I liked best was the Cathedral. Also, they filmed some scenes from Harry Potter inside, in the corridors.

Any advice you'd like to give to future students in Gloucester?

If you're going to be there for at least 3 months, I recommend using the phone company Giffgaff. In the blog "diario de un londinense" (diary of a Londoner) they explain the steps of how to order your SIM card from Spain and how to activate it really well. It seems a little complicated at the beginning because you have to change a few things to get your data to work, but everything is online now.