Some experience and advices as Erasmus student in Nimes

I've been in Nimes for 5 months as Erasmus student. And, I must tell you, that's enough to know it quite well.

How's the city?

Although Nimes is quite a small city and there is not much to do, it's a very nice city.

What to do

Evenings: if you're lucky enough to find thife right company, it's nice to chill in pubs and play pool - I recommend you Istant T, London tavern for after dinner and Bar Joe for the happy hour!

Night life: if you like go dancing, there are 2 main clubs: the Carré blanc and the First club. Very nice is also Le barberousse where some nights they put on latin music too. More often students are used to go to university night events.

Spare time: I strongly recommend to spend lots of your time at the Jardin de la fontaine, one of the most beautiful park. You should definitly go there during the boring weekends - I think that's what French people do, since shops and mall are closed and there's nobody in the streets.

Visiting and wandering: Of course, you must see the Arena, Maison Carré and spend some time in the Esplanade. Not only because they are beautiful areas, but also for some funny and strange people you can meet there! 

You should also take some time to walk and get lost in the city. Gambetta area (the one behind blvd. Gambetta) is wonderful if you love street art, but you should definitly visit the Carré d'Art as well. The main street in the very centre of Nimes (after the place de l'orologe) and the market in the shopping centre in the morning are very amazing as well. And you should really take a walk along av. Jean Jaurés.

How's the University?

BUROCRACY - Unimes is pretty disorganised. All the offices will take a while to do all the burocratic stuff. Be prepared to fight to get your votes.

CLASSROOMS - Theachers are very kind and well prepared, and usually quite helpful if you have problems in understanding, you can freely make questions.

EXAM - Exams won't be easier or less severky judged for you foreigner. They might be a little difficult, not only for the language but also for how they are structured and evaluated.

EVENTS FOR INTERNATIONALS  - Only 3-4 events were organised for international students during that period, so it was quite difficult to meet new people and make friends at the beginning.

NONETHELESS - don't be fooled by the appearance. There are plenty of international people in Nimes. And if Nimes really doesn't suit you well, Montpellier is far more cosmopolite, bigger and relatively near.

V.I. stuff

- For the accomodation, if you're a student you can probably get an accomodation at one of the University residence, but you have to ask. In any case, you can find rooms on the place that are not so expensive as on the accomodation websites.

- It's almost impossible to live in France without opening a bank account. That will require lots of energy, documents, burocracy, time, patience...

- If you're a student, I strongly recommend to register at the CAF website in order to get a refund for your accomodation. As for the bank account, must be patient.

- Also for this reason, you will probably need a French number, also because some French phone companies don't let others contact you if you have a foregneir number.