Erasmus Experience in Paris, France by Ursula

Why did you choose to go to Paris, France?

I have always loved Paris, I had visited a few times previously and always enjoyed it. Also, I was studying French as part of my degree so it was good to go and actually put my learning into practice.

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

I received a study abroad grant, the student finance company gave me the maximum allowance available, although this was a massive help, the rent in Paris is unbelievably high so I was lucky to have had some money saved up! I also received grants and there is a housing allowance called Le CAF (www.caf.fr) that is available to students, I found out about this after about four months and was lucky enough to be backdated for that period so I was able to stay in Paris for an extra two months with this money. There is a lot of help, you just have to look for it!

What is the student lifestyle like in Paris?

Really laid back, students are generally friendly, however because of the language barrier the Erasmus students tend to stick together. I did make a few French friends.

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

Absolutely.

What is the food like?

Varied.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Paris?

No.

How much does it cost to live in Paris?

I paid 795 euros per month to live in the suburbs of Paris, it was a student building Les Estudines and it was about 10 minutes outside of Paris. This was cheap. Paris is incredibly expensive, the rent in the inner areas of Paris are extortionate and the value (in terms of size) you get is nowhere near the price you pay. If you want space for a decent price, I suggest you look at the suburbs/banlieue, and look at the student buildings.

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

It was challenging for me, my level of French was nowhere near conversational when I arrived. The University did give French lessons which were helpful as you learn actual phrases that you use every day and you can discuss and share your experiences.

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

I live in London, so the Eurostar from Kings Cross into Gare du Nord was easiest, it takes two hours.

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

Le Prince in Porte de Clichy if you like R&B and hip-hop, or Montparnasse has a couple of good clubs with good music.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Sacre-Coeur, Notre Dame and the surrounding areas. The whole of Paris is pretty cultural, my favourite thing to do was to just walk, see new places, new buildings and get lost in the city, you're never really lost as long as you have a metro map!

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

Make sure you plan well financially, Paris can be extremely expensive and if you have little money you will not enjoy the experience. Save as much money as you can beforehand. Be open to new things, be outgoing and make French friends so you can also learn about the culture.