Erasmus Experience in Pau, France by Lily

Why did you choose to go to Pau, France?

I chose Pau because it is close to the coast, and to the Pyrénées (I love to ski, snowboard and surf), and because there is a big emphasis on sports in the university with loads of different groups and teams to get involved with. Also being situated in the south of France, the weather remained quite hot for at least two months after my arrival in August.

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

One semester, or it is possible to go for one year if you only study one language. You are intitled to 370 euros per month Erasmus grant (this may change?) and you can get housing benefits as a student in France to help with the costs of accommodation.

What is the student lifestyle like in Pau?

The students aren't the warmest people I've ever met. I found it hard to mingle with the French students; they left the foreign students to themselves, but the other Erasmus students are always fun and I made the majority of my French friends through joining sports clubs.

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

I would definitely reccommend Pau if you like skiing as it is extremely cheap there, but be prepared for it to rain a lot and for you to have to walk 40 mins to get from the campus into the town centre.

What is the food like?

The food is great, it's French! They have good deals on in the university restaurants as well where you can purchase a three course meal at lunch for around 3 euros.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Pau?

I stayed in the university residence. It's extremely cheap especially with the student housing benefits, all the foreign students live there so it's a lot of fun and it's on the camus so only two minutes away from class. However it's sefl-catered and the kitchen facilities are practically non-existent.

How much does it cost to live in Pau?

Not much at all. I was paying about 150 euros a month to live in halls and with the benefits it was around 108 euros.

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

It is compulsory for all foreign students to take a French language course and it's free, so that is a great help, and the more you expose yourself to the language the mosre you will learn and the more fluent you will beccome. It really is a case of you get out what you put in, listening to the radio, watching movies, socialising, going to the cinema etc.

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

I live in London so the most economical way to travel to Pau is by plane with Ryanair. I could get a flight from Stanstead Airport to Pau for around 30 euros (without added extras like baggage... ) and it takes two hours. Pau is very small so it's easy to get into town from teh airport on a bus.

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

The main strip of bars and pubs and clubs etc is called Avenue des Pyrénées and it is smack bang in the centre of town, with amazing views of the mountains. This is always a good place to start and then there is a casino and two or three slightly bigger clubs within walking distance from there but that's it really. Expect ridiculously high drinks prices and ancient music.