[Mikestar]

Next year I will have the chance to spend 1 semester (around 3 months) in a partner university for my degree, these are all my options:

- Karlskona, Sweden
- Leuven, Belgium
- Torino, Italy
- Chiyoda, Japan
- Dortmund, Germany
- Tours, France
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Rome, Italy
- Bilbao, Spain

All of these universities in the cities I mentioned have a relatively similiar course so i'm mostly interested in the location. I was thinking Bilbao as I want to learn Spanish but I read a thread here about Bilbao and it seems they speak Basque and that it's not the best place if I wanna have fun and meet girls. I know a bit of Italian so Turin could be an option as well as Rome. Can anyone recommend any of these specific places for an exchange so I can have the best experience?

[musampa]

(11-14-2017 08:19 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  

Next year I will have the chance to spend 1 semester (around 3 months) in a partner university for my degree, these are all my options:

- Karlskona, Sweden
- Leuven, Belgium
- Torino, Italy
- Chiyoda, Japan
- Dortmund, Germany
- Tours, France
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Rome, Italy
- Bilbao, Spain

All of these universities in the cities I mentioned have a relatively similiar course so i'm mostly interested in the location. I was thinking Bilbao as I want to learn Spanish but I read a thread here about Bilbao and it seems they speak Basque and that it's not the best place if I wanna have fun and meet girls. I know a bit of Italian so Turin could be an option as well as Rome. Can anyone recommend any of these specific places for an exchange so I can have the best experience?

1. Amsterdam bro! Don't even think twice
2. If you think twice then Leuven, Belgium

[Mikestar]

^Thanks for the recommendation but can you elaborate why? Would you say students in Holland and Belgium are fun in general?

[Beirut]

Where do you live now?

I have no idea where chiyoda is but Japan sounds interesting.

[asdfk]

Sweden. Check with someone who has done Erasmus there to see if that particular town is a party town.

Sweden = lots of blond girls + some migrant black/brown girls + Erasmus sluts from Southern Europe.

Amsterdam: native Dutch women are like German women, mostly overweight or not so good bodies and entitled attitudes. But hey, maybe you are into them. Might be a good location for networking in certain industries such as tech and publishing.

Can’t comment on the other places.

[mementoaudere]

I think you will have fun in Rome. Italian girls aren't the easiest one but there are many foreign students and you can probably party every day of the week. I don't know where Chiyoda is, google said Tokyo. If so that sounds like fun too.

[Traktor]

I did my Erasmus exchange in Bulgaria for one academic year (2003-04) and it was perhaps one of the most memorable times I ever had. In terms of culture and food, it was an amazing experience. In terms of chicks, let's just say that I picked up a few flags along the way. If anyone is thinking of doing Erasmus, by all means do it. I would highly recommend it.

Now as for your choice, I would concur with what Musampa said. Amsterdam followed by Leuven. Both are big uni towns with chicks from all over.

Swedish birds are overrated IMO.

[Mikestar]

I live in Newcastle, been in London for 12+ years, am a blonde Polish guy who likes brunettes the most. I like Italian girls but they're hard work. I've been to most of these countries before (except from Japan, Belgium, Netherlands) and I found to like the girls in Spain the most. Japan is a long shot and very expensive so I think it's the least likely possible option.

[Beirut]

Yeah I would've went to Japan because you being in the uk means all those other cities are easily available to you always while Japan being more difficult makes it the least likely to be in your plans in the future, making it more appealing to me in your case.

Sort of a "if I don't do it now I'll never do it" thing.

[Mikestar]

This has got me thinking about Amsterdam, Rome and Japan, @Beirut that is a true point, @Traktor yep I also think Swedish chicks are overrated, shame my course doesn't have locations in EE.

[Traktor]

(11-14-2017 10:16 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  

This has got me thinking about Amsterdam, Rome and Japan, @Beirut that is a true point, @Traktor yep I also think Swedish chicks are overrated, shame my course doesn't have locations in EE.

What is your field of studies?

I remember when my classmates and I were given the choice of going on Erasmus, I was out on sick leave. When I came back, all the spaces for Canada, US, Scandinavia and WE were all taken. It was just Huddersfield (UK) and Bulgaria. And I was fucked if I was going to go to Huddersfield.

Out of all of us (50+) I can safely say my mate James and I had the best experience. He went to Accra (Ghana). While there he also visited neighbouring countries Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin. He crushed it there.

[Gusamaso]

I did my erasmus half in Sevilla half in Hamburg back in 2010, both extremely enjoyable, but I'd choose Sevilla because of the greater number of students (and weather).

[GillesDeleuze]

Amsterdam, or Bilbao if you are good looking blond

[Mikestar]

(11-14-2017 10:25 AM)Traktor Wrote:  

(11-14-2017 10:16 AM)Mikestar Wrote:  

This has got me thinking about Amsterdam, Rome and Japan, @Beirut that is a true point, @Traktor yep I also think Swedish chicks are overrated, shame my course doesn't have locations in EE.

What is your field of studies?

I remember when my classmates and I were given the choice of going on Erasmus, I was out on sick leave. When I came back, all the spaces for Canada, US, Scandinavia and WE were all taken. It was just Huddersfield (UK) and Bulgaria. And I was fucked if I was going to go to Huddersfield.

Out of all of us (50+) I can safely say my mate James and I had the best experience. He went to Accra (Ghana). While there he also visited neighbouring countries Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin. He crushed it there.

Urban Planning. Thank god you didn't go to Huddersfield that would have been depressing. The best ranked universities I can go to are Uni of Amsterdam, Uni of Rome, Turin Polytechnic, one in Spain is University of the Basque country and Belgian is Catholic uni of Leuven (never heard of them either).

[Gopnik]

They do speak Basque in Bilbao, but Spanish is still the predominant language.

It's a bit how Ireland has the Gaelic language, but no one would have a problem there with English.

I don't think you'd have a bad time there if you have access to erasmus students (locals are a tough nut to crack in Spain, perhaps more so in the Basque country)

This being said, Amsterdam sounds pretty good too.

[Merengues]

The more distant location, the more memorable the experience will be. Me thinks do everything you can to go to Japan.

[Mikestar]

I just researched that I have to pay for flights and if it's outside the EU (Japan) I have to have a minimum of £3K emergency money - That throws Japan out. I found out the Spanish university will actually most likely be in San Sebastian campus - my friend went there for an exchange and had a blast. However, I want a place with pretty good nightlife and for that reason Rome might be the best option plus my foundations of Italian will give me a headstart. I also prefer it cos of the weather. Amsterdam then comes to mind after Rome.

[Heightcel]

Dont go to Dortmund, it has a lot of ugly girls and ghettos.

Amsterdam is fine, lots of international girls all year, great for daygame.

[morales]

I did my erasmus in Rome, amazing months but that can be said for any erasmus. The city is not the most important per se, you'll have fun everywhere you go. The memories and friendships are definitely what you'll most treasure for the rest of your life.
I would choose the one that goes more out of your comfort zone, such like Japan (if you are an european guy).
Leuven has a great students environment
Torino is a beautiful rome like Rome
Amsterdam seems a great party city but maybe a bit artificial for me.
Rome has cool weather, food, parties and lots of students and it should be one of the cheapest along with bilbao
I can't speak much for the other cities

[kirdiesel]

For the love of god do not go to Dortmund instead of those other locations.

[Rossi]

(11-14-2017 09:43 AM)mementoaudere Wrote:  

I think you will have fun in Rome. Italian girls aren't the easiest one but there are many foreign students and you can probably party every day of the week. I don't know where Chiyoda is, google said Tokyo. If so that sounds like fun too.

Assuming he's English, he won't do well in Rome. I don't think we have very positive thoughts on English people. Especially when it comes to picking up Italian girls

[Mikestar]

^Rossi sono un Polaco! What is the word about us in Italy?

[Rossi]

(11-15-2017 12:36 PM)Mikestar Wrote:  

^Rossi sono un Polaco! What is the word about us in Italy?

I mean, nothing negative like French or English but nothing positive either. It happened to me quite several times that when I told girls that I'm Italian, girls were very responsive. They adore us for some weird reason. Happened to me a lot in Sweden, Lithuania, Brazil, Poland, Russia, Turkey for example.

I didn't get any reaction at all in places like in Spain and France. I would suggest you to skip Italy if you're coming solely for girls. If you want to come to enjoy the city and culture, you're more than welcome to come but don't have much expectations for Italian girls. It'll be extremely hard for you unless you're loaded or looking like Beckham.

I'd say Sweden is your best option here, really.

[Svoboda]

(11-14-2017 02:59 PM)Mikestar Wrote:  

I just researched that I have to pay for flights and if it's outside the EU (Japan) I have to have a minimum of £3K emergency money - That throws Japan out. I found out the Spanish university will actually most likely be in San Sebastian campus - my friend went there for an exchange and had a blast. However, I want a place with pretty good nightlife and for that reason Rome might be the best option plus my foundations of Italian will give me a headstart. I also prefer it cos of the weather. Amsterdam then comes to mind after Rome.

Please do yourself a favor and don't pick Amsterdam over San Sebastian. I know Amsterdam is a bigger name, but it's mostly fiction. The night life isn't that great, and try to go to a restaurant (not a pizza/kebab place) after 9pm. Check if the school provides housing. If they don't, don't even consider Amsterdam.

Go to San Sebastian, you can improve your Spanish, enjoy the food, and have a great time.
One thing to keep in mind, when you're there always call the city Donostia.

In my personal experience the other Erasmus students (if you plan to hang out with them) will be more fun in a city that isn't a big name. I mean San Sebastian, Bordeaux and Utrecht attract "better" erasmus students than Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam etc.
* better in terms of a more vibrant and fun vibe.

[Mikestar]

^You know what you have a point, after being in London for so long (Amsterdam must be a similiar type of city) I think that San Sebastian may be a better option, however the ranking of the university is no near as good as university of Rome - but I will leave with Spanish which I always wanted to learn, then this will later become useful for my life when I wanna travel to SA. Then the other option is to go to Leuven, Belgium as it is the highest ranked on my list (top 50 world, Spain is top 300 in comparison) but does it really matter how well repped the place is for my career? I think learning Spanish is a big benefit despite the low-ish ranking.