Erasmus in Leicester

What is it like to live in Leicester? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

This city has a pretty (small) city center, there are several pubs and clubs, a market and two shopping malls. If you like multicultural backgrounds, then Leicester is the right one.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leicester?

Leicester lives on students, this means it's very young and lively. There are several student communities, of every kind and for every interest. The university has a pool, a gym, there are parks, a bus station with coaches departing for almost everywhere, the airport is near, transport is ok, the city is safe enough. There are students nights usually on wednesdays and thursdays, to help you survive until the weekend.

How much does it cost to live in Leicester?

Depending on where you come from, it may be expensive or average. You can survive with £200 per month (excluding rent! ), but this is related with how many nights you are planning go out: we all know alcohol is overpriced in England, and if you are a smoker, that's an added expense. Morrisons is the cheapest supermarket (ASDA for those who live at Oadby). The market in the city center also offers great bargains, there are 3 or 4 penny shops (and Wilko) where you can buy houseware, and my advice is to not save on your travels and day trips!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Leicester? Is there any advice you can give?

If you are going to stay one term, then it's advisable to look for an university accommodation, as it's very difficult to find a landlord willing to rent a room for 5 (or less) months. University's accommodations are several in number, but mainly divided in two groups: city and Oadby village. City accommodation are self-catered and located both near and far away from the university. There are also private student renting (but again, you should stay a year) like CODE and City Block to name a few, not really near the university and not managed by the UoL.

If you are going to UoL, then Opal Court, Nikon Court, Salisbury houses and Freemen's common are the one I'd go for. Opal Court is nearby the English school for international students, very new and cool: you have your own bathroom. Nikon Court is also very nice, but expensive if you don't want to share facilities. Freemen's common is quite old and sometimes disgusting, just as Salisbury, but those are cheaper. If you want to be catered, there's a student village situated 45mins away from the campus, which would mean commuting, where the houses are old-fashioned and where freshers live, mostly (so be prepared for devastation). And plus, those are expensive. I don't advise Oadby, especially if you'd like to go clubbing with the other Erasmus, unless you are willing to spend your scholarship on cabs and taxi.

I must say that, exactly for this reason, they organize a lot of nights and events. There are also a hybrid group of houses called Mary Gee, they belong to the category of City Living but they are far way from the university (I think a 40 min walk). And you must book in advance to secure the one you'd like, as they work on a first comes first base. If you'd like to private rent, look for something situated nearby london road, as it's midway between uni and city center.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Well, food is british. My favorite british dishes? Fish n chip, cornish pies, hashbrown potatoes, yorkshire pudding, scones with clotted cream, banoffee pie, any sort of beef or vegetable pie (beef and ale! ), traditional british breakfast, pork pies, crumpets and I could go on until tomorrow.

What places would you recommend visiting in Leicester?

Abbey Park, Highcross shopping mall, Castle's gardens, Roman bath, the cathedral, Newark Houses Museum, Leicester Library, Victoria Park, St. Margareth Church, the Shopping lanes, the indian neighborhood, Guidlhall, the cultural quarter and the Space Centre.

Is it good to eat out in Leicester? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Well there are a lot of restaurants in the city center and in the shopping mall, you'd be spoilt for choice! I'd recommend the Marquees of Wellington, las iguanas, pizza hut, domino's, Byron, handmade burger, kono pizza and Dry Dock. Also, there's a nice indian restauran in Clarendon park but I cannot recall its name, and the supermarket, Morrisons, prepares a great breakfast.

Is the nightlife good in Leicester? Where is good to go?

The nightlife is made of, many bars, clubs, pubs and students everywhere! Republic, Revolution, Mosh, O2 (university nights, very good and cheap), XY and Dry Dock or simply Nixon Court. There are a lot of clubs, so many erasmus and internationals!

What advice would you give future students heading to Leicester?

Explore the city, travel across the country, visit small towns and villages, eat english food, meet people, be open-minded, apply for occasion to stay in a british house (ask at the Uni Chaplaincy for more info, they also host free meals! ) or have a dinner with a british family, participate to all events and fairs, get the most out of your stay!