Erasmus Experience in Perpignan, France by Willoughby Ann

Why did you choose to go to Perpignan, France?

I like Perpignan for several reasons
1) It is close enough to the beautiful, snow-capped Pyrenees that they form a lovely backdrop to the city sights.
2) It is close enough to the Mediterranean that you can get to the sandy beaches easily and quickly by bus.
3) It is a small city with all the infrastructure needed to be culturally inviting. It has the airport, reliable bus service, cinema, theater, festivals, restaurants, churches, and monuments.
4) Because it is small, it is not overwhelming and the traffic flows better than in large cities.
5) The university is small and one can obtain more individual instruction than at a large campus.
6) People are friendly and helpful.
7) Perpignan is close to Spain and has a strong Catalan flare.
8) Towns along the coast and inland are picturesque. There are interesting geographical formations in the mountains.
9) There are many events listed on the Website "on va sortir" where one can meet people and have fun.
10) The weather is mostly sunny. One report I read says there are 300 days of sun each year. In the winter it can be quite windy. One advantage of the wind is it clears away the clouds and helps bring a special illumination to the atmosphere. To me, the illumination makes the colorful city stunning.

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

I have no experience with this

What is the student lifestyle like in Perpignan?

There are lots of international students who offer opportunities to have a culturally interesting lifestyle while attending the university.

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

I recommend the city and university highly.

What is the food like?

One can find many types of food, especially French, Italian, Indian, Spanish and Asian. There are also fast-food restaurants, including Turkish donors. The restaurant Quick, next to the tourist office, offers different kinds of inexpensive hamburgers. The bakery Mie Caline sells great French sandwiches. There's much more that I haven't explored yet.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Perpignan?

One can find an accommodation in Perpignan without paying an agency fee.

How much does it cost to live in Perpignan?

There are small apartments for around Euro 250 a month. One can pay more, depending on budget and desires.

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

In order to be accepted for enrollment, a person has to take and pass a TCF test in French. That is equivalent to the B2 level of French studies. There is a language center that offers language courses. I plan to take Spanish, for example.

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

My city is Nantes, France. I can travel to Perpignan economically via Blablacar or Ouibus.

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

Join a "on va sortir" group, go to the theatre or cinema, eat at a restaurant, join a group of students with an activity in mind.

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

There are many good restaurants in the city center, which is very compact. One can walk around, look at the menus, and make a choice.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The tourist office can provide much information on sights to see.

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

Go to Perpignan with the positive attitude of discovering a beautiful and culturally interesting region of France.