Erasmus Experience in Lille, France by Ludwien

Why did you choose to go to Lille, France?

I was sure I wanted to go to France because I just really love the country and the language. I choose for Lille, because this university was the best match with mine.

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

I receive 435 euros each month. 335 is the normal amount for France (this year), I get a 100 euros extra each month, because I've also a normal scholarship.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Lille?

Compared to Leuven, I think that the amount of subject material is a lot smaller in Lille. I don't have books here, so the only thing I have to study are my own typed notes. So I would say that the student of Lille studies less, however the french people I met are really motivated to get good grades. In general I think that everything's more 'à l'aise', the distance between the teachers and the students is also a lot smaller, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere. Next to studying, there are a lot of possibilities to go out!

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

Yes, I certainly would! I really love the city, it's really beautiful and has a great atmosphere! There are a lot of old, beautiful buildings, but also a big park which is really lovely! Lille is also a really vibrant city, there's always something to do!

I would also recommend my university, University Lille 3. I like the idea that's it's really a campus, something that I didn't know yet because it doesn't really exist in my home university in Leuven. However I have to say that I'm not that happy with the administration, etc., but I believe that it might be a general difficulty of Erasmus...

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What is the food like?

Lille has a few typical plates, like 'le welsch', 'le potjevleesch' and 'les moules frites'. I tasted the Welsch last week: it's bread with cheese and beer and an egg, with french fries! It was really good, but it took me 3 hours to digest. In general I would say that the food is good, there's not a lot of difference with Belgium I guess (but our fries are better off course) +there are also a lot of really great bakeries!

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lille?

Yeah it certainly wasn't easy. I searched on lot on websites and was disappointed most of the time. It was difficult to find something with a good location, price and facilities. Finally I found a really great apartment, but I would say that I had good luck... Also when you visit the city, it isn't that easy to find something. Contrary with Leuven, where you find papers on a lot of windows saying they offer a room, here that isn't really common.

There are also residences however, for which you can apply during the registration. There's only a limited amount of rooms, but if you get in it's really easy!

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How much does it cost to live in Lille?

The accommodation is expensive. I'm paying 535 euros each month, everything included. I live in the city centre, which is the most expensive part, but a price of 450 euros/month is about the minimum price I've found (except the residences).

The price of food, etc., is about the same as in Belgium I guess, so for me it's normal so difficult to really evaluate...

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

French is a really difficult language, but when you start living in France it improves quite fast! In my university there are French courses: I had one week of 'intensive French courses' the week before the real classes started and the rest of the semester it continued 2 hours each week.

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

From Belgium I think it's the train. The cheapest way is with the 'go pass 1', which costed me 12 euros. (6 euros for Turnhout-Moeskroen, 6 euros for Moeskroen-Lille).

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

I don't know a lot of bars and clubs yet, but there's "Rue Solferino" which is really known for the parties! I really love to spend the night in the cosy bars in the old city!

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

A restaurant I really love is HD Dinner in the "Rue Royal". It's a retro restaurant with an American style, think: music from Grease, mustard and ketchup on the table, hamburgers and milkshakes on the menu! It isn't French at all, but it's so cosy and so so so yummy!

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are several museums in Lille like 'Musée de Beaux-Arts' in the centre and 'Musée la Piscine' in Roubaix. There's also an opera and several theaters. In general I would say that there's a lot of culture, everywhere!

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

Enjoy enjoy enjoy! If you have any questions, you can always contact me!