Erasmus Experience in Nice, France by Leah

Why did you choose to go to Nice, France?

I chose to attend to university in Nice because I personally wanted to live by the sea. Also, because of the weather and its location for travelling around.

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

I still receive my student loan from the UK as well as my Erasmus grant.

What is the student lifestyle like in Nice?

When you first arrive you feel just like a tourist and everything is quite different. Once you start university, it gets really good. I study at IPAG and as a student group, we all get along really well and always organise events. There is also a international students' group for all students in Nice I believe.

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

I would recommend the city as it's great to live by the sea. There aren't massive amounts of things to do but you can travel around the other nearby places which is great and all for 1. 50 euros.

What is the food like?

Food in Nice is different. In the majority of places the food is quite pricey but there are lots of options. They absolutely love pizza here! Also, there are a lot of bars and cafés. I recommend trying socca in the old town as it is a great part of the culture here.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Nice?

No, I found it on a website called allostudentrentals and then directly emailed my landlady.

How much does it cost to live in Nice?

It costs me 550 euros in rent a month and the cost of food is quite expensive. Me and my friend do a food shop every 2 weeks which is about 60 euros. If you hunt for deals and stick to basics like pasta you will be fine.

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

My university offers a language course in French for all international students. However, you can easily get by just using English.

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

I live in Nice, but getting around is easy with the tram and bus system which is cheap and reliable.

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

There are loads of great bars in the old town. Wayne's is a popular choice. Thursdays at Akathor are good as its happy hour until night. Les Sansas is a great salsa bar and has decent cheap cocktails.

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

I have eaten in a few places. La Havana was nice but very expensive. Wakabar is said to have great food. I really recommend Blue Whales which does the greatest cheesy chips ever! If you need your fix of English food go for Pizza Hut or McDonald's.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Definitely spend some time in the old town, its amazing! There are loads of museums around including the MAMAC and most are free for students with a valid ID.

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

You have to be prepared that the university system here is very different so it might take a long time to sort things out. Be prepared that things change all the time and that as of March, it gets very busy because of the tourists. But you won't regret coming to Nice to study because even on the worst of days, you cannot hate such a beautiful place.