#goingout

CY Cergy University is located near a large shopping centre called "les 3 Fontaines", where you can go shooping and do activities such as bowling or going to the cinema. It has just been rebuilt and is even more modern than before, with a large restaurant and fast food area. In the city centre, next to the RER A station, there is the François Mitterand park where you can eat on the grass and rest before going back to study. The Cerclades library, which is located just above the RER A station (without the noise that this implies), has been my favourite place to study and has a huge amount of books. If you have more time to walk around or go out in the open air, there is the Cergy leisure centre which is a 20 !minute bus ride from the city centre. This leisure centre is amazing as it offers many activities throughout the year surrounding many connected lakes, which surround an arm of the Oise. You can swim on one of the artificial beaches and go on the big slides, do accrobranche, water skiing, archery, fishing, rafting and many other things. And, of course, a little barbecue with friends. The main axis is a large park that starts at Cergy le haut and goes down to the leisure centre. For sportsmen it is really ideal. A little further on, a large skating centre has recently opened and people are increasingly going to see hockey matches of the local team: the Jokers. If you want to go out in the evening, I recommend Port-Cergy, it's a harbour on the banks of the oise where you can relax on the terrace with your friends.

Poznan is so great. Especially in summer time. The polish "poker" face can be impressive sometimes but they are very nice people. Alcohol is cheap and club good, the ESN sections are doing such a great job. Life there is lovely.

When I'm asked about the places I've spent the most time at, two of them come immediately to my mind : The Original Bierkeller and Bar One. 2 totally different bars for amazing nights ! The Bierkeller : an atmosphere like you've never seen before, with rock music, (real) pints of beers or cocktails, people dancing on the benches and singing at the top of their lungs. The Bierkeller brings the German culture straight into the center of Sheffield, and that's Deutsche Qualität my friends ! Bar One : Careful, this bar is going to be your home. Located right under the University of Sheffield, it is designed by the students and for the students (you must be one to enter the place). A lot of place to sit, indoors and outdoors, reasonnable prices, this is a perfect bar for uni students. I'll never forget the fantastic karaoke sessions we had there !

If you are in Rome, you certainly want to try some local typical dishes. I suggest you go and discover popular neighborhoods, like San Lorenzo, Testaccio, Garbatella, Pigneto. You will find "osteria" as well as more classic restaurants. Make your mobility experience count also from the culinary art's point of view! This can be also a chance to share experiences with your friend at the university and don't be afraid to engage local students, they will be more than happy to give you advice and maybe also come to eat with you!

Living in Nancy is super interesting because it's a small city with several enjoyable places! Among the main touristic spots you can find the Place Stanislas, which is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe! In the square you can find nice restaurants, clubs, tobacco shops, the City hall and the Lorraine's opera. The Place Stanislas is located at the city centre and can be reached by biking, walking, numerous buses and the tramway.

I became a volunteer at ESN Nijmegen when I started my Erasmus there. They were planning events to learn Dutch, discover the culture, and meet new people. Every Tuesday, we'd meet in bars to party. Nijmegen has a small city center and all the bars are on the same street, making it easier to hang out. Plus, every Wednesday another association organizes dinner for 3 euros. We'd meet up and have a nice entire meal near campus.

Liège is truly a place to taste! Famous for its gaufres et boulettes à la liègoise, the great city of Wallonia managed to sweep me off my feet and even make me fall in love with its beer. I spent the best evenings of my Erasmus at the famous Pot au lait bar, a unique place to meet people, relax and discover bizarre and original objects and furnishings. Beer was the ever-present companion of our nights. Liège is in fact the city where the Jupiler is brewed, which it can be found in every corner of the city and student party. At the end of the evening, Le Petit Carré was the place to refuel before going to bed. Open until late at night, I was able to taste some really 'out of bounds' fries, accompanied by my favourite sauce, Andalusian salsa. Weekends were punctuated by walks along the Meuse river and binges of gaufres, a typical Liège speciality! Une Gaufrette Saperlipopette, the place of the heart was located right halfway between my house and the main square, therefore an unmissable stop on my weekend strolls. Finally, I cannot fail to mention the famous boulettes à la ligèoise, always and exclusively at La Regence, a rustic but affordable place for students and young people.

While on Erasmus in Salamanca, I was able to attend two events emblematic of the city's tradition. Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca! Arriving in early September, I directly came across the Salamanca Fair. This festivity, celebrated in traditional clothes, is surrounded by religious events, fireworks, concerts, shows in the streets and venues throughout the city, food stalls, a medieval market, workshops, bullfights and a fair with fluorescent lights, rides, music and food. A celebration in true Spanish style! The casetas (tents) offer excellent tapas and pinchos. Every day there is a tapa of the day served with a caña (small glass of beer) or a glass of wine for only 2 euro. Una delicia! Another event I attended was the Nochevieja universitaria, an event that originated in the 1990s with the aim of being able to share New Year's Eve with university classmates, but in an early way, since at the end of classes everyone would return to their own city to spend Christmas. The celebration takes place on the penultimate Thursday of December, in the city's main square, Plaza Mayor, where at the stroke of midnight the crowd gathers to eat 12 jelly beans instead of the traditional lucky grapes. A tradition not to be missed if you are a student in Salamanca!

Living in Madrid is not that pricey, but you have to be careful to control your budget. The most expensive thing in Madrid is probably the rent. In fact, the average price for a room in the city centre is between 400-600 euros. Personally, I paid 490 without bills, and about 520 with bills. In the peripheral areas of Madrid you can also find accommodation from 300 to 400 euros, but obviously there will be fewer facilities than in the centre. The monthly transport card is only 20 euros for those under 26 years old (Abono Joven) and you can take all metro, buses and trains throughout the metropolitan region of Madrid. If you are over 26 years old, the price of the monthly card starts at 54.60€ and increases depending on how many zones you add to your purchase. However, if you live with or near your friends, you can share an Uber or Cabify at very affordable prices. Eating and drinking out in Madrid is probably the most convenient thing. Tapas and cerveza are an almost daily appointment for Spaniards. For example, a place to enjoy bocadillos and cerveza at student prices is 100 Montaditos, which on some days has an 'everything for 1€' promotion. For my monthly shopping I spend around 100€, trying to go to cheaper supermarkets such as Lidl, Dia and Mercadona. Going out in Madrid can be surprising. In fact, there are many clubs with free entry especially for Erasmus students and more chic discos, where entry is around 15€.