Erasmus Experience in Strasbourg, France

Why did you choose to go to Strasbourg, France?

I wanted to be able to travel around Europe, so obviously the proximity to Germany was a factor in my decision. I didn't really want to go to Paris or the South of France either, so Strasbourg was the only option my university had left.

Source

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

I was there for a semester, some others are here for an academic year. I got about 400 euros a month as part of my Erasmus loan.

What is the student lifestyle like in Strasbourg?

Very different to what I was used to in the UK. There's no such thing as a 'student lifestyle' here, because most students seem to live in a studio flat in the city and then go home to their families at weekends.

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

I can wholeheartedly recommend the city - there's always something to do. The university is a great way to immerse yourself into life in France, but it's also a massive culture shock, and I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of it.

What is the food like?

Nice, but typical Alsatian cuisine is very heavy. If you're a vegetarian or a vegan, or maybe lactose-intolerant, you're going to find it difficult to find something you can eat at times.

Source

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Strasbourg?

No. I found mine online before I went, although I did have to pay all of August's rent, despite not being there for that period of time.

How much does it cost to live in Strasbourg?

I pay 532 euros a month for rent. If you go with the CROUS halls, you'll pay much less, but be aware: in halls where you share a bathroom, you'll be sharing with the whole corridor, which is pretty big, and I'm told they're not that nice. If you have your own bathroom, your room will be tiny.

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

There are language courses available in August for those who want to brush up on their French, but I didn't go. At times, it can be hard to understand people, but that often happens when French isn't your first language - it hasn't been that hard.

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

I come from the North of England - the only direct flight to Strasbourg is from London Gatwick, but there are flights from Manchester to Basel, which is about two hours away on the train. You can also get to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airport from Stansted, which is about an hour and a half away.

Source

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

I really like Bistrot et Chocolat, a café that serves a huge amount of chocolate drinks and desserts! It's also vegetarian and a lot of things can be made gluten-free if you ask. A lot of my friends love Flam's as well - all-you-can-eat tarte flambée for around 10 euros!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Cathedral is one - it's free to climb to the top the first Sunday of each month! There's a lot of museums in the city as well.

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

Get your paperwork done early, keep on top of your work, and go to your lectures, even if they're boring. But most of all, enjoy! You're only Erasmus once...