Erasmus Experience in Ancona, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Ancona, Italy?

It was, from the destinations that were available for my faculty when I was choosing, the one that appealed to me the most. It was the first time that Extremadura had established an Erasmus agreement with Ancona, and it didn’t have a lot of other references.

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

My grant was for nine months. This year we have received 120 euros per month (Erasmus funding), the Ministry gave me around 180 euros per month more and, for being on a scholarship the year before, I received another 300 euros. The Government of Extremadura gave me around 500 euros for the whole stay.

What is the student lifestyle like in Ancona?

It’s the capital of the province and there are lots of students. The problem is that there are very few from the city itself. There are many towns around, or almost all the students return to their houses at the weekends.

Would you recommend the city and the Marche Polytechnic University to other students?

Yes. I have had a good experience, but everyone will have their preferences. Ancona isn’t Bologna, of course. But, in the end, the Erasmus experience is much more than the place you go to, more parties or less parties. I recommend Ancona as I would recommend anywhere else.

What is the food like in the country?

For me, what I love is pasta. You have to try the fiorentina, the risotto, the thousands of varieties of cheese that they have, the wines… and, of course, grab a slice of pizza when you’re hungry. I recommend having an Aperitivo in Enoteca, it’s a winery and, for five euros, you can drink a glass of good wine, and they will give you something to snack on.

How did you find accommodation?

Through the internet. I don’t know if you can, but I used the page: www.easystanza.it. I shared a flat with Italians, which has been the best way to get to grips with the language.

What are accommodation prices like? And prices in general?

In relation to a Spanish city, of the same size, a little high (for England, it’s generally lower). Around 200-250 euros, that is, of course, for places that leave room for improvement. In regards to prices in general, everything is more expensive than in Spain (prices around the same as those in England). The weekly shop can cost around 50% more than a weekly shop in Spain.

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

The Marche Polytechnic University offers a course at the start of the year, from beginners and intermediate levels, which continues after Christmas, for those that have a scholarship of six months. They also provided the facilities to obtain the CELI qualification (official, I have done the B2), as we had done the exam in the same university, and with a good Erasmus discount.

What is the most economical way to travel to Ancona from your city?

Ryanair. For now, Ancona has a direct connection with Seville and Madrid. If not, go to Rome or Bologna, then travel by 4 or 3 hours by train, respectively, to Ancona.

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

Erasmus houses, Piazza del Papa (bars where you can have an Aperitivo, sing karaoke and more), Donegal, Paspartú, Saint George’s (these three are bars around the centre), Level, Sui Club (the first, a pub, the second a club, for during the winter in particular and they are a bit far…) and in summer: Rotonda (near the port), the beach bars Palombina and Falconara, you can drink something in Passetto, in Lazzabaretto… Near to Ancona, for those who enjoy parties the most, there’s Rimini and Riccione, where there are clubs of a high standing, but I couldn’t tell you much about them, because I have not been.

And to eat out in Badajoz? Can you name some of your favourite places?

Pepperoncino, Rosa, Il Giardino (restaurants), Pizza Paola (whilst you wait for the bus to go to your faculty…) or the pizzeria in front of the university dining hall in the centre. Poldo’s (do not leave here until you have tried the pizza). There are quite a few places.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The city has a lot of charm. The problem is that you have to move around a lot, because Ancona is very long, and everything is far away from each other. The views from Monte Conero are marvellous.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Ancona?

You’ll spend three months asking for it to stop raining, Italians will ask you, “Why Ancona? ”, among those of you who are there, you will always say that another place would have been better… but, in the end, you will like it, and you will want to stay even more.