Erasmus Work Experience in Liverpool, United Kingdom by David

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

Because this city is quite similar to mine in Belgium with an industrial past, a big unemployment rate but still being very welcoming.

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

I am doing an internship as part of my Belgian school year. This internship lasts a bit more than 3 months and I received 1200€ from Erasmus (which is not enough for my entire living costs).

What is the student lifestyle like in Liverpool?

I am not really close to students... But the city is very festive and lively in general. Having fun in the weekend is not something difficult here.

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

I totally recommend the city of Liverpool.

What is the food like?

Well, it depends on your tastes... English people are not always known for their gastronomy but my host family, for example, cooks very tasty veggie meals. Since I am here, I have never been thinking that what I was eating was disgusting.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Liverpool?

My internship put me in contact with a host family.

How much does it cost to live in Liverpool?

I usually pay my hosts £120 a week. For the rest, the prices are quite honest even if maybe higher than the European average. I don't take the bus and rarely the taxi (which is quite pricey).

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

The Scouse accent is probably one of the most difficult to understand. But people are friendly enough to repeat themselves if you ask them.

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

I live in the area of Charleroi in Belgium. There is an airport there and I travel with Ryanair to Manchester for a reasonable price. The train from the Manchester airport to Liverpool Lime Street costs £15 which is nice.

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

There a multitude of bars here and there. You could find me the more often at the Dispensary, watching football or at the Ship&Mitre, which has a huge selection of beers (of course, I recommend you the Belgian ones, hehe).

Concerning discotheques, I only know the Blue Angel. I am not that fond of this kind of stuff. Note also that it is possible to eat in the city until very late, for the most resistant of you.

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

There are a lot of different restaurants in Liverpool: Lucha Libre, Il Forno... A lot of different foods can be found everywhere (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Brazilian, Spanish... ). The small Egg Cafe is great for veggie lunches.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Liverpool cultural scene is very interesting. There are a lot of things to see with the two different cathedrals, the library and tons of museums such as:

• Tate Liverpool.
• The Bluecoat.
• The Walker Art Gallery.
• The Open Eye Gallery.
• The Lady Lever.
• The Slavery Museum.
• The Maritime Museum.

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And I definitely forgot some.

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

Don't be afraid to talk to different people (bars are always the great classics for that) to improve your English skills and to get used to the accent.