Erasmus Experience in London, United Kingdom by Andréa

Why did you choose to go to London in the United Kingdom?

Due to the close proximity to France, but also I appreciate the English culture

What is the student life like in London?

Dynamic and enriching. It's very easy to make friends, everyone is cool here

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

Yes

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What is the food like in this country?

The restaurants are good, I am not a fan of the local cuisine but apart from that we got by.

Did you run into difficulties when looking for accommodation in London?

Yes because I looked for a studio and the landlords often only wanted someone who was on site to see the property. Otherwise, it's easy for a flat-share.

What is the cost of living in London?

Expensive. For me the most expensive thing is the transport and the rent, otherwise you can live comfortably.

Is it easy to understand the language? Did you go to language sessions organised by the university?

Yes it is easy to understand the language because up until my arrival, I have not been confronted by a lot of natives. We meet often with foreigners who have lived here for a long time, so their accent is easier to understand than a local.

What is the cheapest way to travel from your town to London?

I use an Oyster Card, which I add money to allowing me to be debited when I exit. Depending on the zone you live in, you pay more or less money for the monthly cost. For me it was not good value to pay the monthly price.

What are the places that you recommend for parties in London?

In the centre on London there are plenty of nightclubs and bars to go to.

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And eating in London? What are your favourite places?

The same, the centre of London, no matter where you go in the centre, you find nice places to eat there.

What cultural places should you go to?

National History Museum, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Buckingham Palace...

Advice to give to future students who are soon leaving for London?

Don't arrive without having organised your travel beforehand, a lot of people will arrive as a tourist, without having extra money thinking that they will easily find work over there. Yes it's easy to find a job if you want to do waiting, but for the other jobs, be prepared to wait, because the first thing they ask here is your eligibility to work in the UK and you must have a National Insurance Number that you only get at the end of the month.