Bonjour! My recommendations for Lille, France

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Why did you choose to go to Lille, France?

To study French and to travel around Europe. Besides, it's not far from Paris.

how long does the grant last? How much money do you receive as aid?

The grant is for a year. I receive 2, 000 euros. Additionally, there exists another grant in France which is the CAF, a French aid which gives you around 100 euros a month.

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

Yes, of course.

How do you find living in Lille? Do you recommend it? How is it?

Lille is very good to live in. It's a pretty city and what's more, it's practically in the centre of Europe - very well located to travel. It's a small city and you can get to any part of it by walking or on a bike. There is also the metro.

How is student life in Lille?

Very good. It's full of students from all over.

How much does it cost to live in Lille?

It's expensive, at 600 euros a month, more or less. It depends on how much you spend on accommodation.

How is the language? Did you go to any courses at the University?

It isn't essential to come knowing French. The university offers classes to you 2 days a week, which are quite good. I arrived knowing fairly little and in the end I did oral exams in French, thanks to going to the class and doing activities at the University (sport etc. ). There are also universities which offer English classes. Above all, for classes I recommend you to choose interesting subjects that you like, because you learn a lot.

What is the most affordable way of getting to Lille from your city?

By plane to Brussels Charleroi, and then catching the Flibco bus to Lille.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Lille? Can you give any advice?

It wasn't hard at all. The University offered me a residence. You can look on the CROUS website, which manage various residences.

What places do you recommend visiting in Lille?

La place du Général-de-Gaulle, Lille's old quarter, the opera and the fine art museum...

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And as a cultural visit?

Lille is a small city and you can get to know it in 3 days. For cultural visits, I recommend going to Paris with the Megabus coach, which costs a euro and you can go and return the same day. A page called CICE Voyages is also very good and it does day trips to close cities such as Brussles, Ghent, Amsterdam or Luxembourg.

Any advice that you want to go to any future students in Lille?

The French universities offer loads of free activities - as many sportive as cultural: theatre, painting, fencing... I signed up for many and as well as learning new things, you practice French and get to know people. It's one of the things that I am happiest I chose Lille for. I have learnt a lot and lived new experiences.