Erasmus Experience in Mons, Belgium

Why did you choose to go to Mons, Belgium?

By accident. It was my only option as I did not have much time to look for something else.

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

It was enough for the rent and for a week or two of living. Yet the problem was that I got the Erasmus money twice during the year. I needed the biggest amount in the beginning so the scholarship was kinda useless...

What is the student lifestyle like in Mons?

Lots of discos and parties with the motto "drink as much as you can and vomit with us on the street".

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

No. The two things I liked the most there could be done in any place: I have met great Erasmus friends from all over the world and traveled a lot.

What is the food like?

Typical? Frites. They are good! They also have amazing chocolate and waffles.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Mons?

No, I live in Cité Houzeau (the worst place in Mons).

How much does it cost to live in Mons?

Without the rent I will say around 300 euros. I don't drink much and I don't smoke.

I know some people would say around 600 euros.

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

There are some language courses and after them you have a basic understanding. I already knew a bit of the language so it was easier for me but if you can only get by with English, it could be difficult. There were teachers who did not allow dictionaries in exams which were, of course, in French.

What's the easiest or cheapest way to travel to Mons from your city?

Easiest? Plane. It takes 2 hours to fly there. I need to add that Mons doesn't have an airport and you have to go to Charleroi (Ryanair). There are no flights from my city to Charleroi so I would have to go from Warsaw which takes about 3 more hours.

Cheapest? Definitely car or coach. I went there by car with my brother so I could take as much stuff as I wanted which in the long run saved me money and I paid for the fuel.

For Christmas, I went home by coach. It was a very long 16 hours but I could take many presents.

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

Marché aux Herbes - a square with lots of clubs, parties and drunk people.

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

Chez Billy (close to the party square) where they do the best frites in Mons! If you're more hungry then go to La Vie est Belge because they have good food there :D And of course you always have McDonald´s there (which is rare in Belgium).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The location of city and the Go Pass 10 (50 euros for 10 trips) gives you the opportunity to travel all around Belgium! :) It is very close to Paris so you can go there too :) It is a nice city for travelers.

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

Never ever go to Cité Houzeau. They party a lot and they vomit a lot. Once, there was even blood in the corridors. They also made us pay for things we didn't even use. All my problems started and ended with the Cité. At the end of the day, it is only 5 months and I´m sure you can manage!