Erasmus Experience in Leeds, United Kingdom by Federica

Why did you choose to go to Leeds, United Kingdom?

Well, i have this friend of mine that lived in Leeds for a while and, when she discovered I was choosing which universities to send my Erasmus application to, she immediately suggested me Leeds describing it as the English version of Bologna (that, for who doesn't know, is one of the best cities you can study in in terms of students entertainment and community, facilities and courses quality, events.. There's always something going on!). So, without hesitation, I put Leeds on top of my choices list.

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

An Erasmus scholarship lasts from 3 to 12 months and the amount of money they'll pay you monthly is based on the living costs of the country you're going to live in. For example I receive 280€ per month (the maximum) because I live in England... Which, I have to say, it's not much and I can only barely cover the rent of my room with those money.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leeds?

Ok, now I'll speak for my institution. It always surprises me how free you are to express yourself and organize your work independently. You are in your work group, discuss with your fellow members what is your research/drawing/whatever is about, they will give you some suggestions and you'll give them too and, if you're unsure about your work you can always talk to tour tutors and they'll help you with your work. Keep in mind just one thing if you're used to have a big lunch (yes Italian guys I'm pointing at you), here lunch means that you'll only have something like a small sandwich or a salad at 12:00 and back to work in a hour.

Forget exams, your assessment consists of the work you made during the two semesters and it's very important to complete all the study tasks step by step and meet all the deadlines, so you'll assure yourself a good mark.

Sometimes it can be stressing to sort everything out by time and combining this with the fact that you're living on your own can only worsen the situation, but that friend was right all along: the whole Leeds revolves around students and their necessities. If you need places with wifi to check your emails or her some work done outside the university here it is, free in almost every cafe, restaurant or pub; if you need a quick run to the grocery store to buy milk and you need to take a bus just show your student card and you'll get your ticket for only 1£.

So, yeah, the city takes care of you while you're trying to get good grades, a thing less to worry about!

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

I absolutely recommend the city and Leeds art university, that's where I study! Nice and kind people, chillest environment to work in and excellent facilities.

What is the food like?

I'm Italian (southern) so you can imagine how high my bar is set, what my conception of "good food" is and how picky I can be.

Italian Restaurants

They have, in the most of the cases, absolutely no idea of what Italian cuisine is or what's the proper way to prepare and cook pizza or whatever dish you can think of. If you are Italian, please, don't buy pizza from domino's, pizza hut or those places because you're risking your poor tongue and whether you decide to take a chance and go to whatever restaurant always take a look to the reviews.

I personally suggest "Casa Mia", decent Italian cuisine, but a bit pricey and far from the city centre (15/20 min. Bus, 40 min. Walk).

Asian cousine

Well, here you have plenty of options to eat japanese, thai and chinese food and it's the cheapest way to treat yourself with a good dinner.

I can suggest zaap if you fancy some good dim sum and itsu for a quick, tasty meal (asiatic fusion cuisine).

Rest of the world

You can eat almost every country's dishes in Leeds I have to say, so if you miss the food of your country i'm sure that, if you search for it, you'll find something.

I have to mention "Casa Colombiana", little pub that offers tasty columbian food.

Vegan/Vegetarian option

Almost every place I had dinner in had in their menu at least two vegan or vegetarian dishes so don't worry at all!

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leeds?

House hunting in Leeds is easy, lots of agency are offering convenient student accommodations and you can even get your room inside a university student accommodation (like the one in liberty park) but if you're looking for you room from another country it's really hard. I got mine through Erasmusu so that I was sure to avoid scams or such kind of messes.

How much does it cost to live in Leeds?

To be honest I expected that living in Leeds would be way more expensive than it really is.

I mean, it's easy to get cheap groceries, for example, at the kirkgate market and you can always buy stationery from The Work for less and clothes from Primark... there are plenty of options to save money.

If you're an art student I suggest you to buy your stuff from Fred Aldous, there's a "10% off your bill" deal when you show your student card.

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

West Yorkshire accent is my worst enemy. If you've never been in England and never experienced real life English guys talking to you in English it's a total shock.. Well, for me it was a shock because I actually was in that situation and couldn't get a single word. But give it a month or two and you'll come to grips with it, I promise, you have just to give yourself the time to get used to the language.

Leeds Arts uni offers free private English lessons with the most friendly and patient teacher in this world to give you the opportunity to catch up with your academic English skills, improve your grammar.. Everything you need to feel less foreign indeed!

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel within and from Leeds?

Firstly let's say that getting around with public transportation it's not easy at first and not because there are only few rides (and trust me, it's the total opposite whatsoever) but you have to ask the bus driver for a ticket when you get on and, if you don't know the city very well, it can be a problem.

First bus is the major company that operates in Leeds and a single fare can be ridiculously expensive, however you can download the first bus app and get yourself an electronic ticket to avoid anxiety, misunderstandings with bus drivers and save money. Another advantage of downloading the app is that you can buy very convenient student tickets! I mean, with 135£ you can travel around all West Yorkshire for 4 months!

If you want to go to, I don't know, London or freeze a little in Edinburgh national express coaches are the cheapest solution: just 20£ return and here is the Big Bang.

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

I'm agoraphobic, that means that I can get ridiculously anxious when I'm in crowded places so I generally avoid parties and clubs, but I can absolutely say that there's always something going on in Leeds, night parties who offer students discount tickets are almost everyday, plus, for example, Leeds Arts student union regularly organizes free enter student parties.

Of course there are pubs, a lot of nice pubs to be in that stay open until late night (I have to mention "the library" and "the dry dock"), but they can be quite pricey... However, if you sometimes just want to sit around a table with a pint and your friends, keep in mind that there are plenty of good options.

For all the metalcore/hardcore/rock/punk rock/emo listeners that are interested in gigs and music themed nights, you have absolutely to check the key club out, right in the city centre. Oh and I just heard about "Rock of Ages", heavy metal music every Saturday (locations may vary), I guess I'll check it out and update this later.

And don't forget the Slam Dunk festival, please.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

We have a holy Trinity here: city museum, Leeds gallery and kirkstall abbey. Kirkstall abbey is a picturesque abbey in disrepair within a big, green park, absolutely to see. I still have to check royal armouries out but apparently is a "must see" in Leeds.

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