Erasmus Experience in Rome, Italy by Rick

Why did you choose to go to Rome, Italy?

In all honesty it got chosen for me, but who the hell wouldn't want to live in Rome?!

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I was on a three month work placement with the International Development Law Organization and I received around £1000 from Erasmus.

What is the student lifestyle like in Rome?

INCREDIBLE!!!

Would you recommend the city and the University of Rome to other students?

Definitely, its a very young city with plenty of British, European and American students.

What is the food like?

Not as great as you might think, but if you're prepared to go off the beaten track you will find some great places - L'Archetto on Via Germanico springs to mind (very cheap but fantastic pizza)

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Rome?

No - Look on EasyStanza or Craig's List

How much does it cost to live in Rome?

I paid about 550 Euros a month but some of my friends found places quite a bit cheaper than that.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

There are always Italian courses available at the University of Salford. I went there with no prior knowledge of Italian but picked up enough to get by - I would recommend first learning the words fr directions because if you get into a taxi and start speaking another language, that is their green light to rip you off!

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Rome from your city?

Easyjet

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Rome?

Trastevere!!! There are plenty of good aperitivo places to go before the night gets going - Also, buy your beer from one of the cheap shops all around the city. A bottle of Peroni costs about 1.20 Euros in one of these whereas you might pay up to 8 Euros at a bar. Just go drink in the square its all legal.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Rome?

L'Archetto and a number of good sushi places around the Vatican area. Sistorane is cheap and good amount too.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Take your pick, history is round every corner in Rome!!!

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Rome in the future?

Take the opportunity!!! Only problem is you will come back home so depressed that you're not still there - This is why I'm planning to go back over as SOON as possible!