Along with Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia forms part of the Baltic States which are situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, bordering Russia (Estonia and Latvia) and Byelorussia (Latvia and Lithuania) in the east, Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia (Lithuania) in the south.

Latvia offers good value for money with its relatively low living costs. For 2011/12 it has also been designated as a Priority Country for Supplementary Funding which means that this year there is also a one-off supplementary grant of €400 for students studying or working here, on top of the standard Erasmus grant.

With its medieval streets, lively night-life, endless forests, picturesque lakes, long beaches and beautiful countryside it has something to offer to everyone. Read more about Lativa on our country guide page or read a case study written by a former Erasmus student who went to Riga.

LIZZIE ARTHUR- Art/metalwork student