Erasmus Experience in Mons, Belgium by Julio

Why did you choose to go to Mons, Belgium?

I went to Mons because i wanted to improve my french and being in the middle of europe is always good to visit other places

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

I initially was supposed to stay here for 6 months but due to coronavirus left after a month and a half :'(

What is the student lifestyle like in Mons?

The student life is good, the city has two main Universities, UCLouvain and Umons, so there are a lot of students in the city. I would absolutely recommend signing yourself up to both Erasmus groups, for both universities, they're super fun. Look them up in facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1859483624353061/
and the other one is "esn Mons'ters"

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

Yea, there are always better options but if you're thinking about not going on Erasmus or going to Mons, you should definitely go to Mons, the Erasmus experience is really cool no matter where you go, just make an effort to meet new people and go to the trips and visits or your Erasmus will go to waste!

What is the food like?

The food is good, there are a couple of good pizzerias (one in grand place) and the city has a bunch of places to buy a nice cheeky gaufre. And after going out you can go buy some fries at Bily, best drunk food you'll have fo sho.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Mons?

Not at all, for the second semester at least it's really easy, they send you your options, you choose and you'll probably get your first or second option. I recommend going to Grand Tripperie, specially the new accommodation, the rest are a bit too old, but Houzeau is okay because there's a lot of people so it's fun but it's dirty affff. For the first semester it's a bit more complicated, most people i know that went on the first semester had to get a kot with other people cus the dorms were full.

How much does it cost to live in Mons?

Accommodation is quite cheap, but then the food may not be. if you go to Delahize or Match you will probably be spending 200EUR a month for food, but if you like to walk you should go to Lidl or the Colruyt (but this one is mega far)

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

There are language courses available and they're ok. However if you speak english a 0 french you should be alright, i know people who's french was absolute trash and they still got around pretty well.

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

I mean the city is small so just go by foot, or bike if anything. Then to go to other further away places take the train.

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

You can go to Marché aux Herbes, there's a bunch of clubs and bars there. There are also a couple of bars at Grand Place. And the parties at Houzeau are hectic. I heard a lot of criticism about the parties at Houzeau, like fighting and stuff, but tbh for me they were amazing, i had a bunch of fun, you get drunk cheap and they go on till late (more or less), you should go see by yourself. Be weary tho, I am talking about the ones organised by the dudes from Polyhtech, which sometimes are a bit hard to get in, but if you're an Erasmus and you already know someone that's in there you should be able to enter.

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

Yea, the pizzeria in Grand Place is good and right next to it there is a Gaufrerie, Waffle & Go i think it's called, they're good.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

I mean you should go visit the Churches, they are pretty cool, and the city is really pretty, but you could probably visit it all in one day. Every first Sunday of each month all museums have free entry so you could go check those out. But what i really recommend visiting are the surrounding cities with your Erasmus group, it's really fun.

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

Yea, don't waste your time, if you go on Erasmus take advantage of it, meet new people, new experiences. It's really easy to just stay in your room all day, but make an effort and you won't regret it. You only get one Erasmus!