Nice, Nice, Nice... how to get by as an Erasmus student!

It has been a while now that I have wanted to write a blog post but I keep forgetting to do so, even though I haven't had the time really or when I have, I haven't fancied it.

I miss my home, my country and my family. I am a real home-bird. I am a very emotional and sensitive person, I struggle adapting to change. And above all, I find it hard to face complicated situations that I don't like. And this upsets me... but oh well.

Here comes some information :)

Transport

So, I'll start with the most important thing, getting around Nice. If you live in the centre, like me, you can go shopping or go for a walk around without having to take any public transport. But, if you are also like me, the university is really far away! In short, I have to take a bus to get to the campus. What's good is that in Nice, there are good transport offers for young people. You can get a year-long subscription (if you are staying in Nice for the whole year) or pay for a card monthly. The card that lasts a year costs 150 euros, which is quite good given you are probably going to take the bus or tram every day to get to university or get to the city centre.

So that you don't do the same as us and spend several days trying to get the card unsuccesfully, here is some advice:

• Firstly, you have to go to a place called "Lignes d'Azur". There, as well as being able to get the card, you will find all kinds of transport timetables for the city. The truth is that they know what they are doing. We went to Place Masséna because it is closest to our apartment, but there might be other ones closer to where you live. You have to take a form. It is the one that looks like a brochure, but I won't describe it (I don't really remember it well so it would be a waste of time), it is best to just asking someone when you arrive.
• Secondly, you have to bring the following (so you do not waste any time). A passport photograph, a photocopy of your ID card and the original, and a stamped form from your university. You can easily get one from the campus. You can just also use your student card but just in case, also take the stamped form.
• Once you get there, make sure that you have all the necessary documents with you, so that you will not be waiting longer than necessary... and so that they don't send you back to your house without the card, and annoyed.
• By the way, you can take your ipod, PSP, whatever you want. You will probably be waiting a while so it is best to be prepared and come entertained.

That's all you need to know about the transport card for now. I will add any new information that I find out later on if that is the case, I only got it today so I haven't had chance to use it yet.

Student card

The second thing that you have to take into account when you move to a new city as a student is the same as if you were a student in your hometown: a student card. A student card is as simple as it sounds, it's exactly the same as the one that you use in your home universities. The problem is that here, it is really important to have one, you need it for almost everything that you do (like for example opening a bank account, getting the CAF, but I will talk about that later).

So, here is how you get a student card.

• You have to go to the internaional relations office in your university department. My department is the Arts, and I had to speak to Mr. Lupukisa to get my card.
• I don't know if it will be the same in future years, but this year, when we arrived, they gave us these pink forms that we had to fill out.
• According to the documents that we were sent before we arrived, we had to send some certain documents back to them in order to get the card. I was only asked if I had done this, other people were asked for a passport photograph or a photocopy of their European health card whilst they were filling out the forms. I think it depends on what you've sent in the first place.
• The same time as when you get the pink forms, I guess you will arrange another appointment to bring it back filled in with all the necessary attachments.

Starting in university

Meanwhile, between appointments, you will have to meet up with your Erasmus coordinator. You will probably be told who your coordinator is, but if not, make sure to find out because they are very helpful, especially when you are still settling in. I personally spent several days looking for my coordinator, but apparently, he was sick during the whole arrival period for Erasmus students. The coordinator is a very important person because they will help you and direct you around the university, they will tell you which subjects to take and help you to choose new subjects if needed. But I'll talk about this when I've met mine, which is out of the question at the moment. When you do have the second meeting, do not forget to bring the sheet that you need to get signed so that you can send it to Erasmus and receive your Erasmus scholarship. During the meeting, you will be given some documents for getting your student card.

And of course, you have to remember to go to the Erasmus meeting organised by the university. It is important because you will find out lots of information, some advice on how to get the student card and find out who is your co-ordinator. You will also find out what activites and sports are on offer in the university, student societies etc. You will also be told about upcoming career events, and subject talks so that you know a bit more about the course that you are taking or that you would like to take.

CAF grants

Now, to end the "administrative and official" part of the post, I will talk to you about the CAF grants. A lot of people do not know about them until they come to France, including me, but it is good to get some financial aid, no matter how much it is. The acronym CAF stands for "Caisses d'Allocations Familiales", and basically is a grant from the French government which students get whether you are French or not. So it's really good. You can apply for the grant online here but you can only receive it if you have a French bank account. My plan is to open a bank account, get the grant, and then close it. But I am still not exactly sure how it works, so I will explain it later on when I know more about it.

As for banks, it is the same story, tomorrow I'm going to go to some different banks and then decide which one I want to open an account with. I'll then post some information about it on here.

Nightlife

So now I've got all this boring stuff out of the way, I'll talk about something that interests all of us Erasmus students: the nightlife. The nightlife in Nice quite incredible. Whatever day it is, there are always people on the street during the evening, or people drinking on the beach with friends. Although apparently, clubs and bars close fairly early (but I haven't been here that long to say), which is around 2am which is quite good, already life in France is different (get up earlier and go to bed sooner). In Nice, you can either buy a beer and sit on the promenade talking to friends, or go to dinner and go out for a drink at a bar.

Meeting people

You will probably say we are Erasmus students, we've only just got here so we don't know anyone. This is where the internet comes in handy! That wonderful invention which has resolved our lives. Look on social networks and find an Erasmus page for your city, if not, make one! I found one on Facebook, and people use it to make plans, discuss doubts and problems etc. Don't be shy, be proactive. Comment, meet people, make plans. If people see something going on, they will want to join in so you will meet even more people. I am a very shy person, very. But I know this year I will put it aside and not let it stop me. I will comment on Facebook, talk and meet with people... And please, if you hear someone speaking another language (or even yours) and think that they might be Erasmus or exchange students, don't hesitate to say hi! They might be as lost as you, or not know anyone. Today, without planning to, I met a German girl and two South American girls, and I invited them to the party that we are going to tomorrow. The more people you may know, the better.

Where to go?

For now, all I have done is gone to the beach to drink and been to a pub. For the beach, all you need is a few beers and a towel, the stones on the beach stain clothes. The bar I went to was called Wayne's, apparently a very popular bar with exchange students in Nice. If you like loud music and lots of people, this is your place. It is full of people dancing (mostly drunk), but there are also tables which if you're lucky enough, you can sit and talk quietly to your friends. And if you fancy letting your hair down and dancing wildly, then go for it! At the end of the bar, there is a small room with tables shaped in a 'U', with live music. The day I went a rock band was playing, and they were pretty good. You can also stand on the tables and dance, which is a great way to let go and forget the stress of being in a new city. Trust me, I've done it.

What to see?

So before I finish, I have to say you should definitely discover as much of the city as possible. When you get there, walk around a lot. I haven't had the chance to visit any of the famous places yet but I will soon, and I will write a post about the places you have to see. Up to now, I have seen two places:

• The 'Promenade d'Anglais': obviously, you cannot miss this. You will definitely see the famous 'Negresco hotel'. You can take some fun photos outside the front of it and maybe even go inside, I haven't tried that yet.
• The viewpoint: I am not sure if that is its real name but that is what I have been calling it. If you can, go at dusk or dawn (the first is easier unless you're on your way back from a night out, which then can enjoy a wonderful sunrise, hungover). The sea is amazing, reflecting the sunlight and so calm! It's a good way to forget everything and de-stress. I, for example, take my camera which distracts me from missing home and my family and I focus on capturing the beauty of the scenery. You can bring something else such as a book, an iPod, a sketchbook. Whatever relaxes you, because it is a beautiful place. When I went there, some guys were playing guitar and singing near where we were sitting, and it was really nice.

Well, that's it. Whatever new things I find out, I will write about it in my next post. If you want to see some snapshots of Nice, here is my photo page. I know I'm not a professional photographer, but I try :)

When you go, take your own photos of magical moments. Because that is what Erasmus is all about: a year full of magical moments. Both good and bad but magical, unique and one of a kind.