Erasmus Experience in Puebla, Mexico by Paolo

Why did you choose to go to Puebla, Mexico?

I was studying Spanish and had been to Spain many times so I wanted a new experience. I love travelling and have always wanted to go to Latin America so having Mexico as an option for a semester abroad I jumped at the chance.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Puebla?

Puebla is probably one of the most developed cities in Mexico, probably because it's where people go to study. It's full of universities, full of students and life.

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

I would definitely recommend Puebla to other students. It was a fantastic experience and one I will cherish for the rest of my life.

What is the food like?

You can find great places to eat in Puebla depending on your budget. Just outside the uni, and in many other places dotted around the city, you'll find taco vans selling super cheap tacos of all kinds. Otherwise, in bars you can find your usual chips, burgers, sandwiches etc.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Puebla?

Finding accommodation in Puebla was quite easy and didn't cost anything to find. You can ask the international office for help and they can advise you or you can call one of the many notices that you'll find around the university area offering you accommodation. This is what we did in the end and we didn't like the student halls they have, which include shared rooms.

How much does it cost to live in Puebla?

Living in Puebla is still really cheap. Rent, including everything, only equated to about £100 a month. That was in a shared house with another four students.

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

The university gives language courses to foreign students and the teachers are great. You'll find absolutely loads of students and teachers that speak English very well so they can help you with anything you need if you get really stuck. Just make sure that if you really want to learn Spanish that you speak with them in Spanish as everyone will try and make the most of practising English.

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

The only place for nights out in Puebla is in Cholula. You'll find out right away, and even the very first day we ended up there. It's a town right next door completely full of bars and clubs. It is, again, really really cheap.

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Puebla is absolutely full of history. People will gladly tell you Puebla's history in the fight for independence and tell you countless myths about the near-by volcanoes looking over the city.

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

Be wary of taxis as although they are really handy, they're everywhere, and they are really cheap, there were a few people in the group that encountered problems with muggings etc. It can happen anywhere, but taxis are so abundant that it seems to be quite a problem. Also, whilst being there you'll get the opportunity to travel a lot as buses are really cheap and run all over the place, we spent most of our time out of uni taking night buses to all over Mexico and I would advise anyone to do the same. Take a Lonely Planet guide to help you avoid places you shouldn't go and also try and talk to locals about things you should and shouldn't do. Mexico is my absolute favourite place in the world. It has everything from the most beautiful beaches to incredible pyramids to jungles. You'll have the time of your life! Keep safe and enjoy it!