New studies, new place. This is it, this year you have to move away from your friends, your parents and perhaps from your country. Living in a student city sometimes means changing your habits, which usually involves travel: going to your campus, practicing a sport, shopping, going out at night. For some of you, it also means having to manage the weekend commute between your family home and your student housing. Taking into account the cost of living, sometimes we need to be smart about how best to use our money. So, here are a few tips on how to get your bearings in your new environment.
Your transportation
Did you know there are specific fares or schemes for students – and young people in general – to help you get about more cheaply on public transport?
Subscribe to a public transportation
This new city will feel like home when you know how to get around. Which bus, tramways or metro stations are closest to you? What is the most affordable transport? To get a feel for distances and travel times, it’s best to try several routes between your home and your school or Uni. In the main metro stations, bus stations, city halls, tourist offices, etc., you will also find maps detailing public transit lines and bike paths. Keep them or post them – on your fridge for instance – so that you can quickly find your way around this new space. So visit your local public transport website, or station and find what student discounts they offer!
Get a bike, the best way to move around
Let’s be honest… Buying a bike is probably not your first priority when moving to a new city – such as knowing the coolest bar downtown or the cheapest coffee place, right!? But still, you can save by acquiring a second-hand bicycle at a fair or at a repair shop.
Buying a bike is a fantastic move, both for yourself and for the environment – you can also do some car-pooling – but you might wonder if it is worth it as you will maybe move to a new city again in a few months. That’s exactly the reason why you should consider subscribing to a bike-sharing system such as Donkey Republic!
Via a subscription or a one-time booking, you can access bicycles parked in the street or in the terminals provided for this purpose. The advantage of this system is that you can make single trips without having to bring your bike back afterwards. It also solves the problems of parking and theft, especially in the evening.
Want to try out Donkey bikes at half price for 2 weeks? Click below to get your discount!
Explore the city and find your new local environment
Maybe you’re a coffee lover or you have an interest in vintage clothes. Get out, explore the city, and make it your mission to find the niche things it has to offer that interest you. Check out that random bar on your corner that’s always full of locals. Pop into that shop with the intriguing display window. Spot second-hand shops: it’s quite sure you will find hidden gems for a ridiculous price! The more you explore and get to know your new city, the more you’ll start to feel like it’s your home.
There’s nothing that makes you feel like more of a local than showing someone who has come to visit all the cool new places you’ve discovered. Once you come across somewhere you’ve fallen in love with, make it your local. Having a routine within your day can help acclimatize you to your new home.
Discover your student life
Look for the student district
In most European towns, the “student district” is a must, with its cafes, restaurants and stores. You’ll have no trouble finding it by talking to older students on campus. The cafes are full of information about concerts, the city’s cultural agenda, and often have more affordable prices. To meet new people and find good deals, don’t hesitate to join discussion forums between students from the same city, school or university. They allow you to find specific information and to quickly get advice on questions you may have. Finally, tune in to your city’s campus radio station and go regularly to your student houses to get the latest news.
If you’re studying somewhere where the language is different to your native tongue, it’s also worth attempting to learn the language basics. You might soon realize this will open a lot of new and interesting doors for you and people to meet from other programs or walks of life.
Show your student card… everywhere!
The student card that you will receive when you register gives you access to many services at your institution. It also entitles you to many discounts on a daily basis! Hairdressers, fast-food outlets, ready-to-wear clothing… Many stores offer special deals to students on their in-store or online purchases. Here again, your student card will serve as a discount coupon. When you are a student, there are no small savings! One rule to remember: keep your student card in your wallet!
Don’t forget the discounts on computer equipment (Apple, Microsoft, etc.) offer lower prices for students on their computers, printers, software…
Are you an ERASMUS student abroad? You should definitely consider getting the ESNcard, which gives you dozens of amazing deals all year long! You will for instance benefit from up to 50 % off Donkey memberships to ride a bike like a local!
Create rituals for yourself
Feeling at home is often about creating rituals, small, comfortable, recurring habits. Whether it’s a weekly pizza party, a night out with friends, find a student gym, a sports class or a call to your family every Sunday night, anything will do as long as it feels good. On another note, you can set your smartphone to get the weather forecast of your parents’ city or the time of your BFF who lives abroad. It’s a great way to keep in touch with your loved ones on a daily basis. And that, wherever you go, is essential.
Know the key practical information
Look for your rights and duties
If you haven’t already done so, find out where the town hall (of the city or the district) is located and, above all, consult its website, its municipal newspaper and its newsletter. You will find a lot of information about cultural life (theater, cinema, concerts…), associations and sports, useful for your leisure activities, as well as practical information about social and administrative services, pharmacies on call and classified ads. If you are still missing a piece of furniture or some odds and ends, this is where you will find information on markets and garage sales. Some city halls organize tours of the city for newcomers, or provide a list of the steps to take to get settled.
To attract tourists and locals, the cities are used to organize several events all year long, like carnivals, festivals, concerts, etc. Most of them tend to be free of charge or with a discount price for students, which can help you both enjoy the city life and save money!
Download some useful apps
Apps are used to organise every area of our lives nowadays, so it should come as no surprise that there are lots of useful apps you can download to your mobile phone that will help you settle into your new city.
For example, if you’re worried about getting lost, route planning apps such as Citymapper will give you clear instructions on how to find the quickest route home. Alternatively, if you’re planning on going cycling in your new city, it is a good idea to download the Donkey Republic app for free, so you can jump on a bike whenever and wherever you need. To help you find your way in the UK for example, CycleStreets allows you to plan your cycling route based on your ability level, ranging from beginner to regular commuter. This will help you to stay safe when cycling on busy roads!
To add a sustainable approach in your daily life, you can also look for food apps like TooGoodToGo or Karma: grab unsold food from grocery stores or restaurants for half price. Buying your tickets through local public transport apps also helps you to live on a budget.
Enjoy every second
Last but not least, you are embarking on a new and thrilling experience, laying the foundation for your future. It is the ideal time to learn and explore. Take the challenges as learning experiences, work hard, grow yourself and have fun. There’s no better time than now, your success story starts here!
