Université Michel de Montaigne: Bordeaux III

Unfortunately, I didn't get to know too many French people. Now I know lots of people from all over Europe, this is the best gain from this Erasmus experience! I learned a lot about foreign cultures, but I really wished to get a better insight into the life of my host country. I didn't make really good French friends in France, which I regret a bit. But it was not for lack of communication. Getting insight into other ERasmus students' lives and countries also broadened my mind. My language experience improved however. We talked French almost all the time, also among the Erasmus students. Some French said that we learn mistakes that way too; this might be true, but you can also learn from foreigners. But in all situations of everyday life, you are forced to speak French. This year really helped a lot, especially concerning oral competence. I'm now perfectly able to talk with a friend about my weekend activities and to go into a bank and open an account.

Most people start the night around the Victoire place. There are lots of small cafés who serve as lunch place for students during the day and which transform into bars during the night. After 2am, the bars close on the Victoire and you can go on to the Quais. It's a long street along the river with loads and loads of clubs, you are spoiled for choice. My favorite night spot were the cafés in the quartier St. Pierre and around there. Especially on trepid summer evenings. There are also some small clubs and bars between the Victoire and the Quais, but the area can be quite dangerous at night! My favorite spots: Bodegon: bar on the Victoire, commercial music La Lune: mixture of independent music, but no techno or dance music, not commercial Chat qui peche: very cosy bar, sometimes with live music, I loved it!