My friend Francesca has done an amazing experience as Erasmus student in Cardiff, Wales. Francesca, 24yo Italian girl, studies an MA course in Planning and Management of Tourism Systems at the Università degli Studi di Bergamo. She spent the first semester of her third year (BA) in Cardiff due to the Erasmus+ project. She is a positive and passionate girl who likes football, tennis and especially travelling. I hope you like the article!
francesca, erasmus student in wales
Asking me to talk about my Erasmus is like asking me to open a treasure chest, where I keep all my best and happiest memories. Honestly, doing the Erasmus was never my priority when I started university, then I felt so bored and uninterested in what I was studying that I needed some “fresh air”.
It all started from the day the results came out and I was selected to go to Cardiff University. It was scary and confusing at first, but I got easily used to the academic system, the life in a small city, the partying and the idea of being away from home. Cardiff was everything I needed in that moment, new routine, new friends, new challenges.
Cardiff University
Since the Erasmus is an academic experience, let me talk to you a little bit about the university itself. The campus covers pretty much the entire city centre of Cardiff and it is divided into many buildings, according to the faculty, plus libraries and offices. I attended the School of Modern Languages that has its own place at the end of Park Place, near to the JP Building and the ASSL Library. What I enjoyed the most of the university was that classes were shorter compared to Italy (50 minutes vs 2/3 hours) but were more active, since professors required us to be involved in the discussion and share our opinion; this, unfortunately, is something that doesn’t happen often in Italian universities, were students are only numbers that need to be given a grade at the end of the course.
Moreover, the distance between professor and student is much narrow in the UK, as they kindly ask to be called with their name and not Dr. or professor. Honestly, I learned more stuff during a 6-months Erasmus than 2 and a half years in my university in Milan, also thanks to essays that challenged me to read, paraphrase and write about topics I wasn’t absolutely familiar with.
Erasmus in Wales: Student Life in Cardiff
However, what really is crazy and amazing about Cardiff is the student life. In front of the main building there is the Students’ Union, a huge building where a student can find many services like food, a supermarket, barber shop, university gift shop, post office and various offices (societies, ESN…). But the best offer of this place is the disco on Wednesday and Saturday night in the Y Plas (main room). The party on Wednesday, YOLO, is the real deal of the Cardiff student night life and it’s free for Cardiff University students.
My first approach was weird as once I entered with my friends, we were offered free donuts and we found ourselves in the middle of super-hyped students. My best nights in Cardiff are for sure related to this place, it’s filthy but special! Apart from the SU, there are many clubs in Cardiff city centre that offer entertainment and music 7 days a week. My favourite were Pryzm and Walkabout on Thursday night.
What really makes Cardiff a great place to live is its people.
ATTENTION! Welsh people are not English, and they do not enjoy being called like that; they are Welsh, much different from the English. They are welcoming, funny, picturesque, they have their own language and their own culture. Welsh people get more excited for rugby than football and sing their anthem before matches. I felt at home straight away in Cardiff, and saying goodbye was the hardest thing I ever did in my life; I still struggle when I speak about my experience because memories come back to me and bring with them all the feels. Cardiff gave me new friends, many of whom I still talk to and see; it opened my eyes on what kind of education I want; it threw me out of my comfort zone and helped me understand who I really am. In conclusion I just want to say: do the Erasmus kids, it’s amazing!
Read More: LIVING IN BERLIN AS ERASMUS STUDENT: BRENDA’S EXPERIENCE
2 commenti su “Erasmus in Wales: Francesca’s Experience in Cardiff”
I didn’t do Erasmus but I did an Internship after the graduation… It is almost the same experience with the difference that I have to work, but this opportunity let me to know a lot of local people and know perfectly the country. I recommend it.
Thank you Flavia for sharing your experience. I’ve never done an experience like erasmus or internship. However I think it’s a great opportunity to meet local people and get out of the comfort zone.