Erasmus Experience in Troyes, France by kasia

Why did you choose to go to Troyes, France?

I wanted to study Tourism Management in France, and because of that Troyes (and its school) was my first choice.

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

5 months. I received 450 euro per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Troyes?

Student organizations and associations are diversified and there are plenty of them. I recommend to participate in a organizations' open day, it's the best way to get in touch with them. Be aware that some of them will not accept you if you only stay for couple of months (at least I had this kind of experience).

There is a big offer of sport activities, including swimming pool, gym, ice rink and so on... What's more, prices for students are really reasonable.

Student night life takes place in few pubs&clubs in the center. As there are not many of them and they are closed to each other, the access is easy and comfortable. From another side, after some time you can be bored due to the lack of alternatives. Troyes has lots of students but in my opinion it's rather calm, settled by families. If you come from the small town/village you will be pleased with the student lifestyle there, whereas if you are used to the bustling atmosphere and dynamics of a big city, you can be a bit disappointed.

Source

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

The city, no. University, yes.

What is the food like?

French cuisine is delicious. In Troyes you can find national and local specialties as well. There are some restaurants, fast food and lots of bakeries everywhere. There are also few places where you can buy Oriental food and spices. Big supermarkets (Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, Lidl) are located close to the center and easy to find.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Troyes?

No, because I found an accommodation on my own.

How much does it cost to live in Troyes?

When I was there, the cost of accommodation could have been between 150-350 euro, food let's say 200 euro. I didn't use the public transport (though a bike was very useful).

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

Language is not easy, so it's much better if you have learnt at least some basics. Yes, the school organises a 1 month language course adapted to your level of knowledge. The course takes place before the beginning of regular classes.

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

Flight or a bus Cracow - Paris. Then a train to Troyes.

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

There is no particular place I could really recommend.

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

I didn't visit any restaurant there.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The center is small but very nice and historical, then museum, cathedral, some ancient churches. All in all there is not so much to see, especially if you stay there for couple of months... It can be a good idea to go outside the city, visit some wine factories and discover the cultural heritage of the small town nearby.

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

If you speak French, try to be abreast of local events. Reading a daily newspaper is the best way to be up to date with the different kind of festivals, fairs and flea markets (which are really big and interesting).

If you want to save some money when travelling, use the website covoiturage.com (carpooling). It's popular and it works very well.