Erasmus Experience in Sheffield, United Kingdom by Abel

Why did you choose to go to Sheffield, United Kingdom?

Because the first time that I've been here I fell in love with the ambiance of the city and the Department of Archaeology (the one related to my studies) is one of the best of the world (13th in the world rank).

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

I have an Erasmus Practice grant for 3 months. The government "give me" €500/month, but as usual with the "incredible government of Spain" I didn't receive any € in more than one month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Sheffield?

It's amazing. All people want to help you and share ideas and knowledge.

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

Yes, it's a good experience with a lot of activities during the week in different places in the city. And if you like running there are a lot of beautiful parks to enjoy your training.

What is the food like?

Well... because I'm Catalan I just can say that the food of Mediterranean cuisine is better and healthier than the British, but there are some traditional recipes like the shepherd's pie or the cottage pie that are so tasty.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Sheffield?

No, using the webpage www.spareroom.co.uk I found a good bedroom in just 2 weeks.

How much does it cost to live in Sheffield?

It's a bit expensive if you are used to living in countries like Spain or Italy, but it's cheaper than other cities in the UK like London or Cambridge.

Rent plus food could be around €500/month (I don't use the public transport).

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

If you are not used to the English accents from the Northern regions like in Sheffield it's a bit tricky, but with practice nothing is impossible!

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

From Barcelona I flew to Manchester and then I took a train directly from the airport to the train station of Sheffield.

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

In the city, there are a lot of nice pubs, but I recommend to go to the Red Deer or York Pub (Common Room if you like football).

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

Revolución de Cuba (free course of Salsa on Thursday!).

Harmony Cafe (cheap and good Chinese food).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

I didn't have enough time yet to visit the cultural places of Sheffield but there are some good museums.

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

Just enjoy the city and make the most of your time to learn as much as you can in this prestigious and friendly University.