Birmingham City University
Although I had been at several places in the UK before, I never really intended to pay a visit to the official heart of England – Birmingham. I had always thought of Birmingham as an old, run-down, and heavily industrialized city. However, it was exactly these concerns that I easily learned to overcome during my Erasmus+ stay at Birmingham City University (BCU) from January until June 2017. With this brief report, I would like to point out all the wonderful advantages a stay abroad in Birmingham can have and why studying at BCU was one of the best choices I’ve made.
Getting started
Planning an Erasmus+ semester is said to be only about filling out forms, heading from one office to the next, and bearing in mind deadlines. I can say: yes, to a certain extent that is true! BUT: what is the effort you have to put into the organisation compared to the opportunity to spend half a semester in a foreign country, getting to know its people’s culture and language? So, do not worry too much about bureaucratic procedure, but instead always focus on the actual benefit you gain from it. It is definitely worth it!
Participating in the Erasmus+ programme, above all, means studying at a different university and attending courses (or modules). What made it difficult for me was that BCU does not provide an official “vorlesungsverzeichnis” as, for instance, the University of Innsbruck, but only a list of all the “undergraduate modules” without any start or end date, room number, or staff notices (http://www.bcu.ac.uk/english/student-information/course-modules). The range of modules, however, is impressive. Not only can you choose modules in the fields of literature and linguistics, but also in drama, creative writing, or philosophy. Therefore, I highly recommend considering some of the modules that are not on offer in Innsbruck as you get to know new approaches to the study of the English language. Each module is worth 15 ECTS, so you simply pick the two you like best. Moreover, the staff at the School of English is excellent: very helpful, supportive, and always encouraging you to do your best. Finally, BCU also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities such as sport clubs, which makes it very easy to get in touch with other students.
Living in Birmingham
The majority of BCU students, especially in the 2nd or 3rd year, live in private accommodation outside the city centre. Positive aspect: the chances to live with ‘English’ students is way higher and prices are rather low (around 80-90 £ per week). Negative aspect: living outside the city centre means a 20-25-minute bus drive to BCU. That’s why I chose to live in halls in the city centre, which, to be honest, was rather expensive (120 £ per week) but provided me with everything I needed. Moreover, its central location enabled me to get to the university in five minutes, and even more important, to stay up late in town as there was no need for public transport back home.
Birmingham is a very vibrant, international, and multicultural city. With a population of more than 1.1 million people (40% under 25!), it is the second largest city after London and provides a home for people from all over the world. One short walk through the renovated, modern city centre shows you a beautiful mix of different ethnic groups, all of which live and work together in a spirit of mutual tolerance and respect. Moreover, also BCU is proud of Birmingham’s multicultural spirit and organises various events focussing on the cultural diversity of its students. Without doubt, it was this open-minded and future-oriented atmosphere that captivated me from the first day and changed my mind about Birmingham forever.
Of course, Erasmus is not only about studying, but, let’s be honest, also about partying, getting to know other people, and travelling. Frankly, Birmingham is the best place for all of these points. With its truly amazing (!) nightlife, it is so easy to spend fantastic nights together. There are plenty of different clubs, bars, and pubs throughout the whole city that suit everyone’s taste in music, and those who have been to the UK are aware that British people know how to party!
Located in the heart of England, Birmingham also represents the ideal starting point for various city trips. Be it London, Nottingham, or Liverpool - every larger city is within reach and easily accessible via public transport. Also, have a look at the “VIVA Trips Birmingham” homepage as they offer students cheap tickets for day trips to cities and other national attractions such as the Lake or Peak District.
In conclusion, I would like to encourage you not to miss the chance to apply for an Erasmus+ semester abroad. You will not only improve your language skills, but also increase your cultural awareness and broaden your personal horizon. The idea of Erasmus+ goes beyond studying abroad. It is more about bringing students together, about overcoming national boundaries, and living the true idea of the European Union. Be a part of that - you won’t regret it! If you have any questions, I am very happy to help! J
Christian Rainer, SS 2017