Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why? I lived in Sanitas. It was the cheapest accommodation in Tours and had the best location. Furthermore, it allowed me to live with 17 French people.

Personal comments:
Sanitas has a bad reputation due to previous comments on this site. I get a feeling non of the previous reviewers actually live there. Sanitas (and Europa) are a 10 minute walk from the town centre (and 30 minutes from Tanneurs faculty). All of the other student accommodation blocks require a bus pass or a lot of walking. Sanitas is also next door to the Sports centre with its swimming pool and ice rink. There is also a food supermarket across the road. True, the Sanitas estate doesn't have the best reputation in the town, but Sanitas isn't really in the estate, it's on the edge of it. Deux Lions and Grandmont are really far away from the town, and the last bus back is too early for most, so you'll need to pay for a taxi back at the end of a night out. Furthermore, people say they're no better than the cheaper rooms. I went for the basic room. This meant I shared the toilets, showers and kitchen with everyone else (17 people) - only the oven caused problems. If you'd prefer a bit more privacy I'd suggest Europa - you share the facilities with just 1 other person, but you don't get an oven, just a hob. 1 person flats are available, but you'll be paying a lot more, and you'll be further out of town.

Describe host city: Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Activities, Nightlife, Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Personal comments:
les troix 'O and place plume are great as there are no other options.Oh and the shamrock irish bar with a distinctly French atmosphere!!

Course recommendations:
Join up for as many as you can, but try to get them on the same day so that you leave other days free for travelling, cinema, etc.

Personal comments:
Sometimes the tutors were a little tricky to get hold of. I found the French, all French, teaching a fantastic way of not only learning the language but also living uni life like the local students do.

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:
Family
An ERASMUS grant
French Government grant (Caisse d´Alocations Famil

Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits:
In Spain , I´m studying in a big city (far from home) and there the housing is much more expensive and there are no helps of the Government. Trains in France are cheaper and there are lots of discounts.Nightlife in Spain is very cheap, in France a beer costs 5 euros!!and you have to pay to enter in the discos.Telephone calls are expensive, specially to mobile phones where you have to pay the minimun fee even if nobody picks up the phone

Food, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone: was more expensive than at home.

Travel, Housing: was less expensive than at home.

I wish I had known...
You can never be prepared for your first week there. The administration in France is not what you're normally used to. The student accommodation is not directly linked to the university, so you have to go to several different people just to finish your registration. Don't worry and don't give up!

In my opinion:
Most people loved it.