Andrew Wicks, native of Cape Town, gives his first-hand advice about the capital, where to go out, where to eat and some useful tips about finding accommodation in this South African haven...

Bristol, UK - arty, friendly, bohemian, pretty, urban

Bristol has tons to offer, whether you're working or studying. Bristol University is really central and is housed in some of the finest buildings in the city, whilst UWE (University of the West of England) has a really friendly vibe; so many students running around the city means there's loads of cute places to have a snack in, tons of bars with cheap student deals and fantastic shopping to be done! You can take your pick from the cool, alternative shops on Park Street, or down in the newly refurbished city centre, with a load of high street chains and some one-off superstores. I really loved the buildings, which looked a bit like nearby Bath, but also the fact that there was always something to do, as Bristol offers a really lively cultural calendar. Bars and clubs have all sorts of music, from folk to pop to jazz to dubstep, you can't go wrong with the food bars scattered across the Triangle and Park Street. The universities themselves are also very prestigious and there's loads of foreign students walking about, so you won't feel too out of place, yet you'll find it really easy to make friends with British students as there's so many societies on offer!