Experience in Perpignan, France by A.J.

What is it like to live in Perpignan? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Yes absolutely. Perpignan is great but one should know that it is not a City, it's a small town which means there's not a lot to do. The city is very quite, meaning that thursday is the only night you can really go out and party. Friday and saturday the center is almost completly empty and you keep wondering were people have gone. Also most bar/restaurents and stores are closed both Sunday and;onday.

However when the stores are open Perpignan is extremely charming and nice. And the people are so nice, friendly and welcoming. People in stores have time to speak to you, and they don't mind at all if you don't speak perfect french they are just happy if you make an effort to try because most of them don't speak English.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Perpignan?

For me it was absolutely great because my erasmus group was so nice and social. If I should give one advice for new erasmus people, then it would be: Make an effort to be social and get friends! Believe me you need a network of friends and people you can hang out with, have fun with or even get a shoulder to cry on when you feel homesick or maybe just sad. Be social! That doesn't mean you have to go drink a lot of alcohol and party a lot. Many erasmus student don't like to drink and I felt that that was easily respected.

The University in France however is not something I am fan of at all! You get no help what so ever to make you schedule. My erasmus coordinator seemed like she couldn't care less and it was impossible to find classes and courses in the beginning.

Not to scare, but the courses were/are pretty aweful. Many teachers in France seems not to like Erasmus students ( I have no idea why? ) and don't consider at all that you might are dealing with a lot of things, since you just moved to a new Country. My best advice is to keep calm, find classes with Erasmus people you like so you can do the hard work together and support each other. Don't piss of the teachers, make a good impression, stay focused in class, make a great effort to the assignement (Because they count a lot in your final exam! ). Don't be late. Don't forget food/snacks are nomally forbidden in the class. In France they don't do more than 2 minutes break. And it's really tough because you got about 11-12 courses if you have 30 ects in 1 semester. If you stay focused and NOT miss classes you will be fine, but believe me it's no joke going to french University.

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However I did also have a few nice teacher. So my advice would also be to "shop" courses in the beginning of the semester and ONLY choose courses you really like and find interesting.

According to the exams you will find out very late when they are and you can't bring anything with you. All is to be memorised.

How much does it cost to live in Perpignan?

• I used about 200-300 euros the first week I arrived, buying oil, spices, basic things like a pan and a duvet and toilet/shower stuff as well as a bike for about 50 euros.
• Then I used 20 euros a month for free= french mobile/abonnement.
• I used 20 euros a month for sport.
• 500 euros for my own little appartement (A room in a shared appartment is about 300 euros though).
• And then I used around 50 euros a week on food and café.

France is expensive and South of France is also expensive, only the rent you can get quite cheap.

Then I also used around 20-50 euros a week on traveling to different cities and using bla bla car to get around. You must see Colliure! amazing when it's warm! The beach is so nice!

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BTW. Do not get a room at City University! I heard it's awful! Heating not working and far from the city and the buses dont leave in the evening after 8!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Perpignan? Is there any advice you can give?

No Not difficult at all. I live next to the station which I can recommend! And I had a swimmingpool which was so needed cause in august/september it was too much! So warm about 35 /37 degrees!

However some places near the gare can be quite creepy so watch out! Otherwise I would recommend the city center which is mostly very quite and very nice. It takes 14 minutes by bike to the University and 10 minutes by bus.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Great! I ate so many crepes! And baguette and cake!

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Watch out you can really get fat in France! Fish and meat is however extremely expenssive so i only ate meat once a week.

But you will love it. And you should at least afford one meal a week on a restaurent! Its about 12-14 euro including wine.

Ps. Wine is soooo cheap! 2-3 euros per bottle wine in the supermarket. But after 8 in the evening you can't buy anything. Everything will be shut.

What places would you recommend visiting in Perpignan?

The palace ofcourse, there are great concerts in the summer. The big mountain, I didnt get to climb it but my friends did and it looked amazing! Do it before november and bring lots of clothes and food and be carefull. But worth the trip.

Go to Collioure, many times. You will love it!

Go to Cannet the beach. Go to Narbonne with bla bla car, and Carcassonne, and Toulouse, and Paris ofcourse! Go everywhere, France is so big and beautiful and this is what you should use you grant on, exploring!

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Is it good to eat out in Perpignan? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes! Og I dont know the name but there is this cute little place with crepes near the Castillet.

Also O'flatherys for fish and cheaps and a GREAT party vibe all weekends even friday when the town is dead! (Close to the center).

Is the nightlife good in Perpignan? Where is good to go?

Not good but around 3-4 bars. Only one club wich is okay but Erasmus people can have their own parties and they are often the best! Go drink wine, dance and have the time of your life!

What advice would you give future students heading to Perpignan?

Don't worry about all the things that isn't working. Lot's of things will be difficult cause you have to adapt to a new culture and country. Just make friends with people, be sociale, if you are from Germany don't just speak to german people. Open up and go speak with people from other Countries. Invite people to do stuff. Go eat good food, see places in the weekend, have fun.

I won't recommend working cause you will be busy, but you can do some volunteer work. Or get a hobby.

It's nice to save money, but it's mostly important that you get a place to live where you feel: Safe and warm in the winter (it's freezing cold in november cause the buildings are only build for summer), a place where you can make it cosy, nice and have friends over. A place where you can cook. Watch out most places don't have an oven. And get a contract!

Enjoy, it's gonna be amazing!