My Erasmus in Chester - a year that shaped me

SARA MIGUEL describes her voyage of self-discovery as an Erasmus student at the University of Chester, and realises there is more to the UK than rain, tea, and fish and chips!

Leaving France for a year in Chester, in the north-west of England, means immersing yourself in a daily life where every discovery, big or small, becomes a learning experience. Between culinary traditions, student nights, community life, and an introduction to rowing, my Erasmus year was much more than a break: it was a real life experience. 

  Being a French Erasmus student visiting England means accepting that you must throw yourself into the unknown. You arrive with your clichés - the rain, the tea, the fish and chips - and you quickly discover that the experience goes far beyond that. My Erasmus in Chester was not a long quiet river, but a real playground where every day brought its share of surprises.

  People often say that Erasmus is an adventure. But that word alone is too fuzzy to describe what you actually experience. In reality, Erasmus is an unstable cocktail - excitement about the unknown, moments of total disorientation, and a series of small revelations that gradually change your view of the world and yourself.

  My year in Chester confirmed it. Nothing is quite like Erasmus. The first few weeks are confusing - a different university system, strange local customs, the sometimes invisible language barrier. We stumble, we adapt, we laugh at our clumsiness, and we learn with every step. But very quickly, these moments of uncertainty become formative experiences. Every street corner, every encounter, every class, every night out or impromptu brunch becomes a learning experience. You discover that you are capable of adapting, daring, and integrating into a new environment. And it is precisely this mix of emotions - a little chaotic, sometimes unsettling, but always exhilarating - that makes Erasmus unique and unforgettable. It's an adventure that every student should experience, if only to realize how much you can grow in just a few months away from home.

Chester - a city on a human scale

When we talk about Erasmus, we often think of big capital cities. However, Chester is not London, and that's a good thing. So it was in this small medieval city that I settled down. With its half-timbered houses, Roman walls and the River Dee, Chester is anything but a bland backdrop. This small English city, with its medieval charm, half-timbered houses, Roman amphitheatre and ramparts, where you can stroll around as if in a film set, stands out for its intimate atmosphere.

The city's human scale makes it easy to meet people and find your bearings quickly, creating a feeling of familiarity. It is easy to find your way around and you quickly feel at home. Here, the human scale is a strength - you see familiar faces, you find your bearings, and the town gradually becomes an extension of yourself.

Taste England on your plate

Then came the first culinary surprises. English cuisine does not always have a good reputation in Europe. However, Chester reconciled me with this preconception. The unmissable fish and chips or scones became a comforting ritual. Pubs are more than just places to drink a pint: they are spaces for socialising, long conversations and shared laughter. Even desserts that are sometimes discouragingly sweet – such as sticky toffee pudding – end up becoming symbols of conviviality.

But Erasmus is not just about food, it's also about nightlife. For many Erasmus students, nightlife is a means of integration. And in Chester, nightlife often has a name – Rosies! A legendary club in Chester where the nights are loud, sometimes chaotic, but embody the spirit of Erasmus - dancing with strangers from all over the world, improvising friendships for the duration of a song, and returning at dawn promising yourself you'll ‘never go back’... before giving in the following week.

University of Chester -  a difference

Beyond the clichés of Erasmus, the University of Chester made a deep impression on me. Here, the teachers are approachable, curious, always willing to listen and ready to help. The approach to teaching is more direct and less rigid than in France. Classes take the form of lively discussions that encourage participation. This freer relationship with knowledge changes everything. We no longer come just to earn credits, we come for an intellectual experience. We enjoy coming to learn. The relationship with teaching is less formal, more lively. It makes you want to participate, to dare to speak up, to see classes as an opportunity rather than a constraint. I discovered passionate, approachable professors who are happy to chat after class, as if teaching were not a hierarchy but a conversation.

Club life and sport: discovering yourself in a different way

One of the most rewarding aspects of my Erasmus experience was club life. Student clubs offer endless possibilities - theatre, music, sport, volunteering. Taking part in these activities allowed me to meet local and international students outside the classroom and form lasting friendships.

When it comes to sport, rowing remains my favourite. I wanted to try a very British sport to discover the whole culture. I had never held an oar in my life before Chester. There, it's almost a national tradition, a way of life. Getting up at dawn, going down to the River Dee, and watching the mist rise to the rhythm of the oars... it's an experience I could never have imagined. Rowing taught me discipline and teamwork and gave me a different way of experiencing the city - through the water, through effort, through the strange serenity that team sports bring. It was a unique experience that I will never forget. But don't limit yourself to that. I also tried out some unusual activities offered by student associations. Sport quickly becomes a way to integrate, push your limits and share memorable moments with others.

Extracurricular activities are an important part of the Erasmus experience. Student clubs cover a wide range of interests, including sports, music, theatre and volunteering. Other sports and activities also provide opportunities to forge bonds, integrate and discover the local culture in a different way.

More than just a break

Of course, there were doubts, awkward moments, administrative hassles and moments of loneliness. But that's precisely what Erasmus is all about - accepting that nothing is smooth sailing, that everything is unpredictable. It's in those moments that you learn to cope, to put things into perspective, to laugh at your own blunders.

Today, when I think back on Chester, I don't just remember the rain or the parties, but that unique feeling of having lived a dense, full, different year. Erasmus isn't just a ‘plus’ on your CV. It's a school of life, a test that teaches you to grow while giving you indelible memories. So, Erasmus isn't a magical interlude. It's an experience that's sometimes chaotic, often exhilarating, always formative. And every student should try it at least once. Because living somewhere else, even for a few months, is the best way to discover yourself. It's not just a long holiday, it's a test that, without you realising it, helps you grow. If I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this - go without trying to have the ‘perfect Erasmus experience’. It doesn't exist.

  But there is a good chance that yours, with its highs, lows and excesses, will become one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Written by SARA MIGUEL (former BA Journalism student, University of Chester, UK)