Fresh semester, new city

Are you in the process of moving to a new city, figuring out your school timetable and life admin, and most importantly – on the hunt for your new local coffee spot? We’ve highlighted four cities where student life is welcoming and cosy, so you’ll settle in with ease. Read on to see what a “day in the life” could look like for you in one of these European cities. 

Surf and play in San Sebastián: 

A gem nestled in the Basque country, San Sebastián offers a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle with its surfing and hiking possibilities, while also having a down-to-earth and relaxed daily pace. 

Easy morning movements  
Stroll over to your new favourite bakery, The Loaf, for your morning fuel, conveniently located close to the “Surfer’s Paradise” beach. Whether you’re a surf pro or a newbie, you can easily get involved and ride the incredible waves that San Sebastián is known for. Make sure you check out Kresala Surf School for classes – we organise monthly surf lessons together with our Social Hub community. It’s a great way to meet locals and expand your network! 

Afternoon into evening adventures 
Done with your school work? Treat yourself to the best part of Donostian culture, the pintxos. Get a group of friends together and work your way through the Old Town eating, drinking and chatting. Some top spots we’d recommend are Bar Juantxo for the Spanish tortilla sandwich, Ganbara for local cider and leave space for dessert at Bar La Viña, the Basque cheesecake is out of this world. Once you’ve got a belly full of elite gastronomy, shake a leg at the club. Nightlife in San Sebastián is diverse in offering and pretty down-to-earth. Doka is always a good time and much loved by locals. Find all the hotspots of the city in this curated guide. Then it’s time for a good night’s sleep! The Social Hub beds are known to be quite cosy…

Keep an eye on upcoming events in San Sebastián. 

Thrift and thrive in Glasgow 

This mighty city packs a lot of charm in its grey haze, offering eclectic cultural and creative spots, lush green spaces and a vibrant student community.

Start your day right 
After your morning brew (Scots are obsessed with breakfast tea), why not freshen up your wardrobe at one of the many vintage clothing shops in the Calton area? Mr Ben's always has a funky shirt or two. The Social Hub is also conveniently located close to Barras Market – a great place to discover vintage and antique pieces to give your new home some character.

Post-study-plans 
Did you know that Glasgow is one of the most affordable cities in the U.K.? With its great student public transport offers, thrift stores and diverse food and bars for varying budgets, you don’t have to have a lot to enjoy a lot. Make the most of Glasgow’s UNESCO City of Music title and enjoy the diverse music scene. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the  University of Glasgow have many emerging talents that play for audiences at no cost. Plus many city museums are free so you can pop into an exhibition in-between classes with no strings attached.
 
Dinner options
A few dinner spots even have BYOB (bring your own booze policy), such as Errol's Hot Pizza, so that’s a budget-savvy option when going out with friends. Discover the local’s favourites in our city guide.

Keep an eye on upcoming events in Glasgow.

Become a cafe expert in Vienna 

Home to 21 universities, this charming city is bustling with students like yourself, all looking to uncover the best spots in Europe’s most livable city.

Rise and shine (and then study)
Cafe culture is huge in Vienna, with many spots having large terraces that are packed during summer and elegant inside decor to cosy up in during winter months. Check out Kaffein Zeitgeist, Vogel Kaffee and Café Landtmann to suss out your new local favourite. We’ve got more hotspots in our curated city guide, too.  Hop on your bike (rent one at The Social Hub) and cruise around the city safely – there are designated cycle lanes all over. It’s an especially nice way to see the River Danube that runs through the city. Why not take a picnic and study material to get a head start on your reading?

Cultural evenings
Reward yourself with some downtime in the Mariahilf disctrict, known for its hip and trendy bars and food spots, as well as concept and vintage stores. A great place to find unique furniture to jazz up your new room! 

Vienna is one of Europe’s more affordable cities, so cultural activities like cinema, museums and music events won’t break the bank. Why not check out a movie (English subs) at Artis International where they show world-cinema as a chill evening activity? Or get to know your new friends at our weekly Social Hub Pub Quiz and see if there are some general knowledge geniuses among you.

Keep an eye on upcoming events in Vienna.

Take it easy in Toulouse 

Ville Rose has a rich cultural heritage dating back all the way to 2BC when it was founded by the Romans. These days, its terracotta buildings, vibrant nightlife and dynamic innovations make it very popular among students. Check out our full guide on what makes Toulouse a student's dream.

First things first
Start your day heading to the famous Marché Victor Hugo for seasonal and local produce, the best quality for reasonable prices. A great reason to invite new friends round for dinner to sample the market goods. On your way back, take a zen moment in the Jardin Japonais Pierre- Baudis. Modeled on gardens in Kyoto, Japan, it’s a little oasis in the middle of the Toulouse (and very close to our hub). 

The city is very flat so walking isn’t too much of a chore, but the public transport is well connected and reasonably priced. If you want to do more than just hit 10k steps a day, Toulouse is famous for its rugby – both local clubs and internationally. Sports bars like The Danu and La Brasserie du Stade are good fun on game day.   

Afternoon and evening fun
Got through enough of your reading list? Time for an apéro - an afternoon snack and drink at some local favourites such as Le Concorde, Au Pere Louise and Le Quintina. Then kick back and relax at our weekly Movie Night hosted at The Social Hub – free for our community and it goes without saying that popcorn’s included! 

Keep an eye on upcoming events in Toulouse.

Watch our community video to see the ins and out’s of life at The Social Hub.

Why The Social Hub? 

Student life at The Social Hub is like a home away from home. We’ve thought about all the ways we can help guide newcomers to a city and make the process easier. You can expect a community that takes care of you and encourages you to grow outside of just our four walls.  

• Options and spaces for all types of enjoyment; hotel stays, student accommodations, coworking spaces, meeting rooms and events, as well as a restaurant and bar. 
• Premium basics such as comfy rooms, laundry services, amenities, safety & security (to name a few). 
• Inclusive and community building environment: social spaces, gyms, cinemas, communal kitchens. 
• Huge focus on community events: creativity, learning, wellness, social, volunteering. 
• Connecting with locals to integrate you into your new environment and culture.  
• Dip in and out as much as you feel; stay up to date about our events calendar through each city’s own social channels.  
  
  

Ready for a change of scenery?

If you’re ready for an adventure, let us be the ones to go on it with you. With 21 locations to choose from (and more on the way!), there’s a place for you to explore the benefits of living abroad in a safe and exciting way. 

Explore our student stay