Erasmus Experience in Lille, France by Federico

Why did you choose to go to Lille, France?

More than the city, I chose the University, I am here for the thesis and the stay is going very well. As Italian, French is easy.

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

Depends on the type. In France there is help from CAF (a regional agency) that sends aid for housing (about 35%).

What is the student lifestyle like in Lille?

I'm a graduating student in Engineering. I work in the lab from 9 to 17.30 with a break for lunch and then free time for sports, study and hobbies.

Source

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

Depends on what you are looking for, it’s better to check in advance to avoid surprises.

What is the food like?

As Italian it's difficult to judge French food. But there are good beers and desserts.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lille?

It's better to look for an accommodation before arriving. However, I preferred to save on housing to be able to travel.

How much does it cost to live in Lille?

More expensive than Italy, but less than Paris.

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

The language is the biggest problem: few French people speak English, so you must learn a little of French to survive. At the University there are a lots of language courses.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Lille from your city?

From Bergamo Airport I booked a Ryanair fly to Charleroi (Belgium) and after a bus for Lille. In Lille there is also a little airport (Lesquin) but there are no flies from Milan or North Italy.

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

In Belgium, for people of less than 26 years it's easy and cheaper to travel in Belgium by train. One-way costs €6 or 10 trips €50. And you can visit Bruges, Gent, Brussels, Charleroi, Liège, Antwerp...

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Lille?

I recommend the typical restaurants in rue de Gand. There are a lot of regional restaurants with odd beers.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Lille there is a nice museum, opera, town hall, lots of churches, a zoo without payment. Near Lille there is the Louvre Museum of Lens.

Source

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Lille in the future?

Maybe the impact can be scaring. But remember that you will be at the centre of Europe, and in no time, you can be in London, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne and Luxembourg. Bon courage!