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 equally interact with the local and student community

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

Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
The Pale is the best Erasmus bar in Tours. It's an Irish Pub so you can mix with Anglophones and Francophones at the same time. Check it out on Rue Colbert! Café Chaud is legendary. Pyms is a trek away from the town centre, but is the only big night club (it's close to Sanitas). Opposite Pyms is Le Corsaire. Here you have a pirate themed cocktail and ice-cream bar. BEST COCKTAILS DU MONDE! In the Summer you should check out Tutti Gusti on Place Plumereau.

Course recommendations:
The university offers courses called CUEFEE. These are for international students to improve their language and grammar skills. They're perfect for the average student, but if you have a high level of French, you'd be better off staying away from them. One problem with CUEFEE is that it puts you in immediate contact with people that speak your native tongue. This means you interact less with the French.

Personal comments:
none

Language of instruction: French

Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Other sources of funding:
Family
Personal savings
Government assistance

Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work

Personal spending habits:
The accommodation is so cheap! Apply for the CAF as with it I paid just €100 per month! I pay around €500 per month in the UK for similar accommodation. Most things are cheaper in France than in the UK...

Travel: was the same price as at home.

Food, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone, 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.