Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You get to know lots of different people of diverse nationalities. Also, you have to deal with aspects that most students have never had to deal with before, such as paying all your own bills for electricity, water etc., which naturally makes you more aware and responsible.

Personal comments:
The university was helpful and friendly in finding me accommodation, however a few issues I had were that they did not give me a straight answer as to whether or not I would be sharing my room (indeed I did not find this out until I walked into my room for the first time); also there was no warning of the excessive €1200 deposit that had to be paid, and they would only accept cash for this deposit, which took about a week to obtain due to the ATMs not allowing you to withdraw that much per day. I had a very noisy neighbour, however this was obviously no fault of the university, and once I made a complaint, the issue was dealt with very well. The staff who deal with housing are all friendly and very well informed.

Type of housing: Duplex in a private residence

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? My original intention was to live in an apartment with native French speakers. It's economical having roommates and beneficial to live with people who speak the language you are trying to master.

Personal comments:
The university's international office provided a basic level of assistance to students searching for housing but didn't really do too much for me. I was lucky to have found a duplex at the Moliere because housing is very difficult to find in Lyon. I loved the location - it was easy to get to campus and the downtown core by foot. The rooms were modern, clean and provided basic cooking equipment (microwave, fridge, hotplates). But the windows were not very well insulated and as electricity was not included in the rent, heating sometimes was a little pricey. I was lucky to have a fairly large room but my neighbours across the hall had a tiny room with a horrible layout.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because I have been free to organise my time and my space without referring to no one.

Personal comments:
everything was comfortable and I had the opportunity of meeting a ot of people and of enjoying a lot of funny times together. As far as the study is concerned the apartament allowed me to study with calm without noise and rumors of each kind.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? great independence, cheaper than dorms in France

Personal comments:
Dorms organised by Lyon III were extremely expensive. We had to organise hosting by ourselves, which wasnt very easy.. Frenchs werent very helpful, knowledge of English very poor and conditions of renting-terrible (huge bond, 1 year rent, letters, papers, French citizens...)

Type of housing: private residence

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: same place

Why? Being a private residence, there were different types of people ranging from businessmen to students. As well as enjoying this mixture, it was a very modern and nice building. While having common rooms meant great opportunity to meet up with people, I still had my own place being a studio flat with its own kitchenette and bathroom.

Personal comments:
The university campus was not too bad but I still preferred the private accomodation. It was more expensive but with the help from the government (most people can apply for it), it turned out to be quite a good bargain.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? You are in contact with other students while keeping your independence.

Personal comments:
You had to choose among different residents depending on your budget: public ones and private ones. In both cases you recive economic help from the government.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I would chose the very same way due to the fact that I like to organise things myself and am not to keen on relying on university to organise accomodation as it is oftent overpriced and too much 'managed' for my own appreciation.

Personal comments:
In Lyon the accomodation is spread out throughout the town, some sites are very convenient and other are in areas that are less attractive. However the metro and busses network is well organised and getting to and from places is no problem at all.

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: A room exchange

Why? more privacy for live and study

Personal comments:
smooth procedure for erasmus students, pretty tough to find housing for individual foreign students however international office at the university well organised and quite usful

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Because the arrangements made by my host university were perfect.

Personal comments:
I was assigned to a studio which I shared with a friend from home university. The building was very close to the "Tramway" and two metro stations. The commute to school was very easy. The atmosphere was great cause there were exchange students from all over the world in our building. It was the perfect enviornment to learn from and bond with people you otherwise might never have met.

Type of housing: With a family

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? To be in a collocation is usually a good thing because it's a good way to practice your language, as well as improve your communication skills

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: A room exchange

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? It would be nice to have more space than a studio apartment offers, as well as a full kitchen.

Personal comments:
They give a listing of recommended residences run by the private sector and do their best to give you your first choice. All the residences that are recommended meet certain standards and are very good for students.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? for indipendence

Personal comments:
erasmus are really helped by the university!the only problem was the integration with the french students!

Type of housing: Students residence

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: In a students residence

Why? because I had the best time living with other students the last time!

Personal comments:
It was great! We had a small appartment each in a student's residence with lots of both french and international students and there was a great ambiance and social life.

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? Living in a Hall of Residence, I had the opportunity to meet students from all over the world. I made some great friends while I was living there. I'd welcome the chance of living in this type of sociable environment again.

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? For the first year I was at the Residence Universitaire / Dorms. But after that I found my own place right in the middle of town. It couldn't have been better.

Personal comments:
Compared to the rest of Europe it was very affordable and accomidating

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? Because it's a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Personal comments:
It was really good. Every student had his own room and we had 2 kitchens on the floor. It is a great place to live when you are learning foreign language.

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? In France, Private accomodation is way cheaper,especially because of the housing benefit anyonone can be entitled to

Personal comments:
Use French hall of residence only if you want to save each penny in your pocket! You don't deal with bills either, but it is far from being confortable and they haven't been designed to promote a nice student atmosphere...

Type of housing: A room exchange

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? By sharing an apartment with a roommate, it would have been a lot more spacious, and better facilities, all for the same price as that of my residence.

Personal comments:
If it were not for the CAF assistance, the rent for this type of residence would have been extremely high (taking into account the dismal conditions).

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Independently - My choice

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? you meet different people and good for social interaction

Personal comments:
none

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I prefer leaving alone and it was more conducive for me to concentrate

Personal comments:
I think housing at this university is a little difficult cause there is no on campus housing and off campus housing is al ways more expensive.