Erasmus Experience in Lyon, France by Juan Camilo

Why did you choose to go to Lyon, France?

Because it's a university city that gives you a lot of opportunities to meet people from other countries.

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

I didn't get a grant, I studied at the Catholic University of Lyon and I got the CAF financial aid, which is for accommodation and I still haven't got it.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lyon?

You can find students from all over the world. There's a lot of integration on Erasmus so you get to know people and to make friends.

Would you recommend the city and the university of Lyon to other students?

Yes, I would, but something you have to bear in mind is that it's a city that has different customs and culture. It's hard to find work if you don't speak good French.

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What is the food like there?

All of the food is delicious. Broaden your horizons and be prepared to eat and to try everything.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Lyon?

It's a bit difficult, because the paperwork for the residences is really troublesome and not having a French guarantor causes a lot of problems. They can ask you for the following: 1. A guarantee or security deposit which you have to pay. 2. That you pay for all of the months that you'll be staying there at the start, as if they wanted to stop you from being able to escape payments. Those two things are what they can ask you for, it also depends on the residence. Look properly and don't accept just any accommodation.

How much does it cost to live in Lyon?

It costs between €500 and €600 more or less to live in Lyon. It all depends how much you pay for your accommodation, food, transport (Vélo'v or TCL). If you come to Lyon wanting to live a life of luxury, it'll end up being more expensive.

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

I'm studying French at the university and it's actually going very well, sometimes it's difficult, because French has a lot of stresses, accents and strange letters, but you'll get better with time. French people only speak French; there are a few here and there who speak English or a bit of Spanish; but they're actually really bad with languages.

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

If you have a visa, the easiest and cheapest way to go is to book your flights from the United States, or otherwise search carefully for your tickets well in advance, when there are deals on or on pages that always have discounts.

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Where would you recommend for a night out in?

I only went out partying once and I went to La Sucré (it's not cheap).

And to eat in? What are some of your favourite places to go?

The kebabs around the Hotel de Ville, you have to make sure that the place you get it from is nice and clean. If you like desserts, prepare yourself, because here you'll find a patisserie on every corner.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

It's great, you'll have everything in excess, food, transport and safety.

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Do you have any advice for students coming to in the future?

Read a lot about the city, get informed and don't believe too much of what the people from Campus France say, things aren't always as good as they make out. French people are usually very serious people, so they come off pretty rude.