Erasmus Experience in Paris, France by Sonia

Why did you choose to go to Paris, France?

I love France and its culture, Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I had a good level of French and, above all, Paris universities have a positive reputation in the politics area. Besides this, I also studied a master in the second semester (doing both, Politics erasmus in Paris V and a master on EU Law in Paris I).

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

In general, 9 months (from October to June); you have to justifie that your university started the lessons on October and you were still having exams or courses on June. I had around 500€ (from the EU, from the Spanish gouvernment and also the French CAF).

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

I was living in a French "foyer" with french girls, so I really do not know how the lifestyle of erasmus students was in Paris. I had a lot to study, cause the French universities did not care about your erasmus condition. They trate every student as an equal; that was a little hard at the beginning of the course but in a month, you can follow all the courses with any problem, if you are perseverant and you have a good knowledge of French. Nevertheless, I heard about other students in other univrsities and other degrees and it is not always as I lived. Anyway, my experience was incredibly positive.

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

For sure!

What is the food like?

Crêpes are all around the city, in the supermarkets they have more different types of cheese than our iogurts corridors! And well, is a capital city, you can find anything anytime anywhere.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Paris?

Actually, a little bit because I was very concentrated on finding what I wanted: a French residence with French students. In general, Le Crous has a lot of residences but you have to send the application as soon as possible to get a seat.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

It depends on what you need. 600 euros per month is enough if you live in a Crous residence and you eat in the Crous restaurants. Going out the nights is expensive.

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

I have never been offerd a French course in the university. Actually, I needed to have an advanced level to follow the lessons cause they did not make differences between French and erasmus students (in my experience in Paris V and Paris I).

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

Vueling and Air France from Valencia to Charles de Gaulle. Ryanair flies to Paris Beauvais and the bus ticket to come to Paris is (or was) around 15 euros (my erasmus was in 2010-2011) and it takes an hour so the Vueling or Air France option is most confortable and, I guess, cheaper at the end.

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

No idea, I went out 3 or 4 times and I did not enjoy it. I prefered parties at friends places. It is so expensive, they only put commercial and techno-house music and I do not like it. But I had erasmus mates thay enjoyed Paris discos, so probably whatever is good fot people loving night parties.

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

Lots, in boulevard montparnasse and around opera. But expensive always. For students, better the crous, some creperies (always take a look to the menu to knoe the prices) are a good option when visits came.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

It's Paris, all around you can find a monument, a museum or any historical reference. I recommend to get a good guide to visit, little by littile, everything and, from the third month there, just let your feet walk and you will discover much more than the guides say!

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

Try to meet French people and your experiencie will be a real French one.