IT IS known for its music festival, and Oscar Wild was jailed there, but we wanted to know what else is there for students studying in Reading. We asked Cristina Radulescu, a Law student at the University of Reading, what is (and isn't) so great about the city.
STUDENT WORLD ONLINE: What do you love about Reading?
CRISTINA: Most of all, I love the fact that it houses such a diverse community. Not just because it’s a student town, and (obviously) there will be many nationalities, but there are representatives of such different cultures among the townspeople. They have been here for generations and have carried on their cultural heritage throughout. You’re always likely to meet really interesting individuals you can learn from.
SWO: Did you feel differently when you first arrived?
C: When I first got here, a few years back, I felt that this was the most realistically authentic place I’d ever been to in England. I’d visited London and Cambridge previously and enjoyed them enormously, but they both had a strong element of touristy-ness which made them appear (at least at first glance) artificial in a sense. Reading, which is not as much as of an attraction as the former, lacked that air of pretence which made it all the more accommodating to me personally.
SWO: Is there anything you don’t like about Reading?
C: It can get dull at times. Although, that may be subjective, depending on how much exposure you have to events going on in London and how eager you are to compare the two.
SWO: Is it easy to get around in Reading?
C: The transport links are very good and you can pretty much take a bus anywhere. Truth be told, it’s just as easy to get around on foot or by bike, provided you don’t mind being surprised by the weather.
SWO: What can you see and do while in Reading?
C: To my embarrassment, in three years I haven’t made the most of my time spent in Reading since the temptation of just hopping on a 30-minute train to Paddington has always been too great! Nevertheless, the Feathers and Fur Falconry – where you can see and handle birds of prey - is definitely a place I’d recommend, as well as the Reading Climbing Centre – where you can practice up-sailing – and Escape Reading which makes for fantastic group bonding experience.
SWO: Good shops?
C: Reading has a really good mix of independent boutiques and big-brand stores. The Oracle is the largest shopping centre and it houses all of the high-street shops, like Zara, Topshop and John Lewis, to name a few. However, if those don’t cater to your style tastes and needs, independent establishments like ...But Is It Art? and Frock & Roll are really cool places to come across hidden gems.
SWO: Good places to eat?
C: Absolutely! There are restaurants and eateries for every occasion. The quintessential late-night pizza places and kebab shops are a permanent fixture. Places like Bill’s and Jamie’s Italian are my recommendation if you’re looking for good spot to take your family out when they come to visit. My personal favourites for when you want to treat yourself to something nice are Picnic – which provides healthy, home-made food in a location tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the high street – and Creams which has the best desserts in town!
SWO: Good places to drink?
C: Similarly, there are a lot of bars and cafes available. The Purple Turtle is one of the most popular among students due to its eccentric setting and mythical aura (EVERY student has a story about this place), but for a more classic setting, All Bar One is very popular. My preferred destination is actually Cafe Artigiano which has amazing cocktails as well as great coffee in a fantastic ambiance.
SWO: Good places to relax and hang out?
C: When the weather allows, it’s always nice to take a stroll along the river, or take a walk in Forbury Gardens or the Harris Gardens on the University grounds.
SWO: What is the surrounding countryside like?
C: Reading has rather typical South-East of England surroundings – predominantly fields and pastures that just blend together when you pass by them on the train. Since the Thames passes through Reading, it’s really popular among sailing and rowing enthusiasts.
SWO: What is the university like?
C: It’s a brilliant place to study and grow. The lecturers and staff are very supportive of your choices and always want to help you find your path (no matter how unconventional it may be). There’s a high standard of teaching which ensures that you get the most out of your degree.
What I personally love most about the University is the breadth of events and extracurricular activities you can get involved in. From volunteering in the community to building houses in Peru, career training opportunities or the amazing people that come to speak at Reading (most recently Eddie Izzard about the Brexit) – there’s so much to learn from and enjoy!
SWO: Do you live on campus?
C: Not at the moment, but I used to when I was in my first year. Although there are pros and cons to living in halls of residence, it’s definitely something I don’t regret doing and I recommend any student try the experience at least once. There’s a great sense of community and there’s a lot of student support at that level – ideal for any new student. You’re also really close to many of the facilities, Student Union and lecture halls. The downside is that there is the risk of it being quite a rowdy environment at times, so perhaps not the ideal option for someone looking for peace and quiet.
SWO: How much is your monthly rent?
C: Personally, I pay £300/month for a room in a shared house, but prices can go up to as much as £700-£800/month for a studio flat – bearing in mind that this is private accommodation. Living in Halls is slightly pricier (between £140/week and £200/week), but the benefit is that the conditions may be better than in a privately-rented house and there is the option to opt for catered accommodation.
SWO: Finally, how much is a cinema ticket, a two-mile cab fare, a 1kg bag of rice?
C: A standard cinema ticket at the VUE (Reading’s main multiplex) is £9, but there are many discounts on offer. The Reading Film Theatre, housed on the UoR campus, shows mainly indie films and the standard admission price is £8.
A two-mile cab ride can cost between £7 and £10, depending on the cab company. This is why I don’t recommend taking a cab unless you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, in a group or late at night.
Lastly, the price of a 1Kg bag of rice ranges from £1.50 at Tesco’s to £4.80 at Waitrose.
Have you read our other My Student City articles? Find them in our places section.
