Erasmus Experience in Paris, France by Megan

Why did you choose to go to Paris, France?

I chose Paris as I knew a little bit of French and It was close enough to home to visit if I was homesick.

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

I got $370 per month which was a bit low. It didn't cover the cost of my accommodation or living costs.

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

I went for a summer placement so I didn't get the student lifestyle I would have if i went during term time. I also stayed with a family so I didn't get to meet many students while I was there.

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

I would recommend the University of Paris as the lecturers were really helpful and made me feel comfortable. I would recommend finding accommodation with other students instead of with a family as you get more of the lifestyle. I would recommend Paris, there's so much to do and see, the metro is very good once you get used to it, which doesn't take long so it's easy to get to places.

What is the food like?

The food is nice. There are lots of places to eat and different types of food so you'll never be stuck eating food you don't like.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Paris?

It was quite hard to find accommodation. The University did not help much and there is a limited amount of places in the student accommodation. However there are lots websites with rooms to let in student houses.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

My accommodation cost $550 a month, this was one of the cheaper places I could find. Food was also included in the rent.

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

I was offered a language course in the University, however as I was only there for the summer I did not take them. The people spoke English everywhere I went so it was easy to do stuff even if I didn't know how to say what I wanted to in French.

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

I traveled by car on the euro tunnel to get to Paris. The cheapest way was to book a flight into Paris, but I thought as I had to take lots of things it would be easier to go in the car. To get home for a weekend I had to take the bus from Paris to London. This was cheaper than a flight but took 8 hours.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are loads of cultural sites in Paris. There's always something to see so you'll never get bored because there's nothing to do or nowhere to go.

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

Find accommodation with students to get the full experience of living as a student in Paris. Also try and learn a little of the language before you go and talk French to people.