Next year, if everything goes well, it'll be taking my fifth and last year at the university. You may know Spain is going through serious unemployment issues, and from what I've heard companies appreciate people having had an Erasmus experience, it's even a requirement for some jobs. So next year I'm planning to go on an Erasmus.
My university offers me many destinations around Europe. But I was looking for some one where the prizes aren't so high (prices seems to be incredibly high in north Europe). And I don't speak german, nor french, nor italian, so I can only choose a destination where clases are taugh in english. Thus, I have come to the following list of candidate universities:
Prague - Czech Republic - Czech Technical University in Prague.
Athens - Greece - National Technical University of Athens. (Not sure because of their current economic situation)
Budapest - Hungary - Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Warsaw - Poland - Warsaw University of Technology.
Lisbon - Portugal - Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. (I guess it's too near and similar to spain)
Oporto - Portugal - Universidade do Porto. (I guess it's too near and similar to spain)
Bratislava - Slovakia - Slovak University of Technology.
Istambul - Turkey - Istambul Teknik Universitesi.
Cranfield - England - Cranfield University (Cranfield & Silsoe).
Durham - England - University of Durham.
I know there is a lot of people from Europe over these forums, so maybe you know about these cities and universities. Tell me, which one would you choose if you were in my place? Why?
Well, this probably doesn't help you a whole lot as I've never been to any of these cities personally, but from what I heard Prague and Warsaw are both really really nice cities with quite reasonable living prices. I haven't heard anything negative about them so far, and I know quite a lot of ppl who have been there as it is a popular choice in Germany for a not too costly holiday trip.
Can't tell you too much about the other choices, and I definitely can't help you about how good the universities are. But I haven't heard a lot of good stuff about Athen some years ago (the city, no idea how it is to live there), and I'm pretty sure it is even worse now. Istanbul is a pretty cool choice though, I'd definitely recommend to take a close look at that one too :)
And I don't know if these universities are your only choices, but I would definitely recommend to not immediately throw the universities in smaller cities out of the window. They are often well known universities and the cities have a great flair because they are full of students. If you desperately want to see some capital cities of europe it usually shouldn't be a big problem to make a 1 or 2 day trip to them.
Can't tell you too much about the other choices, and I definitely can't help you about how good the universities are. But I haven't heard a lot of good stuff about Athen some years ago (the city, no idea how it is to live there), and I'm pretty sure it is even worse now. Istanbul is a pretty cool choice though, I'd definitely recommend to take a close look at that one too :)
From what I've heard about athens, most of the days universities are shut up because of the strikes. Greece would be a great choice if it weren't facing that undesirable crisis.
Quote:
And I don't know if these universities are your only choices, but I would definitely recommend to not immediately throw the universities in smaller cities out of the window. They are often well known universities and the cities have a great flair because they are full of students. If you desperately want to see some capital cities of europe it usually shouldn't be a big problem to make a 1 or 2 day trip to them.
Yep, my university only have study agreements with those universities. I've only excluded expensive countries and those where classes are not taugh in english.
Prague - Czech Republic - Czech Technical University in Prague.
Athens - Greece - National Technical University of Athens. (Not sure because of their current economic situation)
Budapest - Hungary - Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
Warsaw - Poland - Warsaw University of Technology.
Lisbon - Portugal - Universidade Técnica de Lisboa. (I guess it's too near and similar to spain)
Oporto - Portugal - Universidade do Porto. (I guess it's too near and similar to spain)
Bratislava - Slovakia - Slovak University of Technology.
Istanbul - Turkey - Istambul Teknik Universitesi.
Cranfield - England - Cranfield University (Cranfield Silsoe).
Durham - England - University of Durham.
Let's see, what I can I tell you about these cities... I haven't been to any of them, but I've passed Athens and my family has travelled to Lisbon a couple of times. Athens... I wouldn't suggest it. You may or may not know this, but the city's located inside a valley, surrounded by mountains. Result of this is that there's a huge cloud of smog hanging over the city that can't really exit the area. It's not exactly the most healthy environment. As for Lisbon; I don't know if it's too similar to Spain, to be fair. From what I know the city is build in a really hilly environment, which creates a fairly unique sight - it's possible to enter an elevator on street level, go up, and end up on street level again. Afaik that's pretty much unique in it's kind. Obviously it'd be more similar to Spain than some of the other cities you've named, but I dunno, it might be your cup of tea regardless. It's also closer to home than all the other locations.
Greece is really not a good idea... They're in a deep crisis/global mess/civil war/pile of shit. I met a girl in a train last year (or was it 16+ months ago already?) and it was already horrible at the time... Her and the teenagers she was taking care of couldn't even find bread. Not that I'm fond of bread, but I assume if you can't find bread you basically can't find anything. Besides, 30% of the population is unemployed right now... If you live for a year there, it will be a pain to get some money. And the weather is muggy (hot, wet, sunny, and polluted).
I heard about Poland though, it's not really a rich country but it's nice and people are welcoming. If you really seek for low prices I wouldn't recommend England at all. Rents are very expensive in London, a friend of mine lived there for less than a year and finally came back to Paris, which is not cheap at all either but still better than prices in London. Maybe it's different in Dunham and Cranfield but don't expect too much. Seems like a really great country though, I would probably have been there if my friends were not complaining about how much life costs out there. I haven't heard anything about the other places (though I went to Spain myself and it wasn't bad... not my kind of country but cool anyway). From the list you made, I would personally choose between Bratislava, Budapest, or Prague. It depends entirely on what you're looking for, but if I were to live in a European country for a year I'd go far to the East... Western Europe is pissing me off (especially France), South is in crisis (or will be soon enough), North is not so bad but not cheap, so... yeah, head East!
Budapest, Prague and Warsaw seem really nice choices. I wonder if there's some people from these countries on these forums who can tell me a little about them.
As a side note, it's sad, but I think I'm quite used to live surrounded by Madrid's "beret".
Sure there are. Come to Warsaw, we shall have a drink! Can't tell you much about University of Technology though, since I study something quite different. If you have any questions about Warsaw/Poland you are welcomed to PM me.
For Budapest, I could try and get you in contact with Freespace87 who lives in Hungary? He's bound to know a thing or two about the city. Just let me know.
On another note - no options in Holland? I'm not much of a nationalist, but I'd consider it the ideal option. Prices here aren't exactly low, but they're not high either. Everyone speaks English, we're probably more advanced than some of the eastern European countries and the climate is fairly average as well (not too hot, not too cold). The only real downsides I can come up with from a student's point of view is that our trains suck, our beaches are cold if it's not the heart of the summer and the fact that you'll probably drown if some kind of natural disaster takes place.
The only real downsides I can come up with from a student's point of view is that our trains suck, our beaches are cold if it's not the heart of the summer and the fact that you'll probably drown if some kind of natural disaster takes place.
You could say exactly the same thing about Canada as far as I know, but it's no big deal. You get used to it pretty quick. :)
IliIilI, what is more important to you? A good university and cheap rent? Is that all?
@sigmapl: Go
Sure, I'll compile some of my doubts and then PM you. :D
@Mozared: Go
Strangely I don't have any options in holand. :(
@ZealNaga: Go
Canada is another option: École Polytechnique Montreal. Classes are taught in french, that's a problem since I don't speak french, and it doesn't belong to the Erasmus programme, so i wouldn't receive any economic grant.
Quote:
IliIilI, what is more important to you? A good university and cheap rent? Is that all?
I start from the base that all these universities are good ones. At least that's what our international relations office in my university told us. Studying abroad is expensive and Erasmus programme only grants you about 300€/month. That's why I don't want to choose a country where just accomodation would cost me 800€/month like in most north europe countries.
Next year, if everything goes well, it'll be taking my fifth and last year at the university. You may know Spain is going through serious unemployment issues, and from what I've heard companies appreciate people having had an Erasmus experience, it's even a requirement for some jobs. So next year I'm planning to go on an Erasmus.
My university offers me many destinations around Europe. But I was looking for some one where the prizes aren't so high (prices seems to be incredibly high in north Europe). And I don't speak german, nor french, nor italian, so I can only choose a destination where clases are taugh in english. Thus, I have come to the following list of candidate universities:
I know there is a lot of people from Europe over these forums, so maybe you know about these cities and universities. Tell me, which one would you choose if you were in my place? Why?
Well, this probably doesn't help you a whole lot as I've never been to any of these cities personally, but from what I heard Prague and Warsaw are both really really nice cities with quite reasonable living prices. I haven't heard anything negative about them so far, and I know quite a lot of ppl who have been there as it is a popular choice in Germany for a not too costly holiday trip.
Can't tell you too much about the other choices, and I definitely can't help you about how good the universities are. But I haven't heard a lot of good stuff about Athen some years ago (the city, no idea how it is to live there), and I'm pretty sure it is even worse now. Istanbul is a pretty cool choice though, I'd definitely recommend to take a close look at that one too :)
And I don't know if these universities are your only choices, but I would definitely recommend to not immediately throw the universities in smaller cities out of the window. They are often well known universities and the cities have a great flair because they are full of students. If you desperately want to see some capital cities of europe it usually shouldn't be a big problem to make a 1 or 2 day trip to them.
D:
An interesting name for such a thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderius_Erasmus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Erasmus
@Bommes: Go
Thanks for your answer.
From what I've heard about athens, most of the days universities are shut up because of the strikes. Greece would be a great choice if it weren't facing that undesirable crisis.
Yep, my university only have study agreements with those universities. I've only excluded expensive countries and those where classes are not taugh in english.
Let's see, what I can I tell you about these cities... I haven't been to any of them, but I've passed Athens and my family has travelled to Lisbon a couple of times. Athens... I wouldn't suggest it. You may or may not know this, but the city's located inside a valley, surrounded by mountains. Result of this is that there's a huge cloud of smog hanging over the city that can't really exit the area. It's not exactly the most healthy environment. As for Lisbon; I don't know if it's too similar to Spain, to be fair. From what I know the city is build in a really hilly environment, which creates a fairly unique sight - it's possible to enter an elevator on street level, go up, and end up on street level again. Afaik that's pretty much unique in it's kind. Obviously it'd be more similar to Spain than some of the other cities you've named, but I dunno, it might be your cup of tea regardless. It's also closer to home than all the other locations.
Greece is really not a good idea... They're in a deep crisis/global mess/civil war/pile of shit. I met a girl in a train last year (or was it 16+ months ago already?) and it was already horrible at the time... Her and the teenagers she was taking care of couldn't even find bread. Not that I'm fond of bread, but I assume if you can't find bread you basically can't find anything. Besides, 30% of the population is unemployed right now... If you live for a year there, it will be a pain to get some money. And the weather is muggy (hot, wet, sunny, and polluted).
I heard about Poland though, it's not really a rich country but it's nice and people are welcoming. If you really seek for low prices I wouldn't recommend England at all. Rents are very expensive in London, a friend of mine lived there for less than a year and finally came back to Paris, which is not cheap at all either but still better than prices in London. Maybe it's different in Dunham and Cranfield but don't expect too much. Seems like a really great country though, I would probably have been there if my friends were not complaining about how much life costs out there. I haven't heard anything about the other places (though I went to Spain myself and it wasn't bad... not my kind of country but cool anyway). From the list you made, I would personally choose between Bratislava, Budapest, or Prague. It depends entirely on what you're looking for, but if I were to live in a European country for a year I'd go far to the East... Western Europe is pissing me off (especially France), South is in crisis (or will be soon enough), North is not so bad but not cheap, so... yeah, head East!
@ZealNaga: Go @Mozared: Go
Thank you for your answers.
Budapest, Prague and Warsaw seem really nice choices. I wonder if there's some people from these countries on these forums who can tell me a little about them.
As a side note, it's sad, but I think I'm quite used to live surrounded by Madrid's "beret".
Sure there are. Come to Warsaw, we shall have a drink! Can't tell you much about University of Technology though, since I study something quite different. If you have any questions about Warsaw/Poland you are welcomed to PM me.
@IliIilI: Go
For Budapest, I could try and get you in contact with Freespace87 who lives in Hungary? He's bound to know a thing or two about the city. Just let me know.
On another note - no options in Holland? I'm not much of a nationalist, but I'd consider it the ideal option. Prices here aren't exactly low, but they're not high either. Everyone speaks English, we're probably more advanced than some of the eastern European countries and the climate is fairly average as well (not too hot, not too cold). The only real downsides I can come up with from a student's point of view is that our trains suck, our beaches are cold if it's not the heart of the summer and the fact that you'll probably drown if some kind of natural disaster takes place.
You could say exactly the same thing about Canada as far as I know, but it's no big deal. You get used to it pretty quick. :)
IliIilI, what is more important to you? A good university and cheap rent? Is that all?
@sigmapl: Go Sure, I'll compile some of my doubts and then PM you. :D
@Mozared: Go Strangely I don't have any options in holand. :(
@ZealNaga: Go Canada is another option: École Polytechnique Montreal. Classes are taught in french, that's a problem since I don't speak french, and it doesn't belong to the Erasmus programme, so i wouldn't receive any economic grant.
I start from the base that all these universities are good ones. At least that's what our international relations office in my university told us. Studying abroad is expensive and Erasmus programme only grants you about 300€/month. That's why I don't want to choose a country where just accomodation would cost me 800€/month like in most north europe countries.