Banská Bystrica or where Christ lost his sandal

by Andrea Almansa and Pablo Brandolini (Spain)

Warning: Banská Bystrica is not what an Erasmus student expects at first sight. But don't worry, in a few days you will find that charm that big cities don't have: you end up meeting even the bus driver, the parties are in a family environment, you get to know all the gossip and you get free beers from the waiter at the Break Bar, the bar of the residence.

How long will the European Union keep you?

The scholarship lasts for a maximum of 7 months (note that you will spend it in the first three) and we receive 250 euros per month (this is the one they have to give you yes or yes and it is the same for everyone).

Yes, it is true that you can access more scholarships (specific to the university, specific to the country... ), but in Pablo's case and me do not meet the requirements because we did not receive the letter from Hogwarts and we do not have the C2 in Chinese.

Spending money. How much does it cost to live here?

If you don't like to travel or party, with 250 euros a month you can survive perfectly. Of course, if you want to see a little bit of the world and partying you will need 300-500, depending on the month.

Important: this price does not include the penalties (of 15 euros) that are very likely to fall if you stay in the residence; you can not bring anyone, you have left dirty dishes, we have a party, you have a very messy room.... It's all complaints.

Tajovského 51. Good residence, better beer.

All Erasmus students are in the SD3 residence on Tajovského 51st Street, specifically in blocks F and G. The residence is about 15-20 minutes walk from the centre, but there are many buses that take you there.

Here you have the website (also there is an app for mobile phone) where you can consult the buses.

Don't bother asking too much in advance to have a triple room (57 euros per month) or an individual room (61 euros per month), because they don't pay much attention to that. It is important to note that you have to pay every month as soon as you arrive and in cash.

At first sight it may seem that the residence was built in the century of Tutankhamen, but in the end you get used to it and you wouldn't change it for a Royal Suite in the Hilton.

Important: Beware of doorkeepers, they will be your greatest enemy during your stay.

Living Erasmus (Banská Bystrica Version)

Being in Erasmus is a non-stop experience and the atmosphere is great because all of us come to the same thing: to have a good time, and if that's the case, to learn something.

There are many activities scheduled in the residence, among which there is no shortage of the legendary Kitchen Parties. Every week there is a new program: Beer Pong, Karaokes, themed parties (Retro, Gatsby, charity, Hawaiian, costume, Latino... ), International Village, social activities (blood donation, dog walking, writing letters to older people), Pub Quizs, Movie Nights, sports activities, excursions, Secret Santa, Goodbye Dinner....

Of course, if you are in a resi that is not the one of Tajovského 51 or in a flat (not the normal thing but who knows... ), you will not spend it not even half as well, so be sure of that.

Flixbus and Regiojet will be your greatest allies when you travel. The cheapest destinations from Banská Bystrica are Budapest, Krakow, Prague, Vienna and Bratislava. It is worth noting that with the Erasmus card you can travel all over Slovakia by train completely free of charge. Here you can reserve your seats free of charge (since it is necessary to reserve them in advance because there are not unlimited places): http://www.slovakrail.sk/

In Banská Bystrica you will meet people of many nationalities and cultures, don't refuse any opportunity to meet someone and venture into new thoughts and experiences, which is what Erasmus is for. In the same way, don't be afraid to show your lifestyle or your way of thinking, there will be many people who want to know it.

The city and the University (because yes, we also study)

The city, in terms of landscape, is beautiful. In winter it is all snowy and during the rest of the year it is also very beautiful because there is a lot of nature. The main square is very charming.

Source

About the University, it depends a lot on the faculty what you are going to find. In the Faculty of Economics they demand more than in other faculties such as Politics or Education, where you can go more relaxed.

It is true that the first three months nobody did anything, so now that we are finishing we are a walking ball of stress.

Food in Banská Bystrica. Survival Guide

Banská does not stand out for its gastronomy, to be honest. In supermarkets (Lidl or Tesco, although the latter is further away from the resi) there are many products that are missing in Spain is common to find such as hamburgers, the typical cereals or pads (the latter are not eaten). As for the eggs, we still don't know why, but they are usually replenished every two and a half years.

There is a Kaufland next to the main train and bus station. It's far away from the resi as if you were walking, but if you come back from a trip you can always spend too much time because it's very well priced and there are things in Lidl and Tesco that there are no things in Lidl and Tesco.

Going to eat out there costs a little less than shopping at the supermarket, but you still come home from Erasmus rolling.

The food in the canteen of the resi SD1, no matter how inexpensive the menu (1. 74 euros), is not very advisable. But hey, it's all about proving it. It is worth mentioning that to learn how to pay with your student card you must first obtain a Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Harvard.

In the kitchens of the resi do not provide you with ANY utensils, so you have to buy it (you can always choose to gorronear of another person or buy it with pachas). The best place to buy it is Pepco or at most the Tiger (they are in Europe) because it is very cheap.

"You can not make everybody happy, you are not food"

Here is a list of our favorite places to eat.

• Pizzeria Borsalino (important: open until 4 in the morning. It costs 1. 20 euros a slice of pizza. It's very close to the Njoy and Ponorka, so it's traditional to have some good slices of pizza at the end of the party).
• Pizzeria Evijo (very cheap, costs about 3-5 whole pizza).
• The 'restaurant of the lake' (we don't know what it's called or whether it's actually a lake or a pond, but the menu costs 3-4 euros and the views are very pleasant).
• Tiffany's (about 6-7 euros).
• Cartel (for your birthday and that's fine, but you can save 11 euros).
• Europa (there is a common table area on the second floor where you can eat from different places, you can eat for 2-4 euros).

Let's get down to business: Party Hard in Banská

Warning: The party in Banská ends around 3-4 in the morning, so it starts around 21-23. Don't worry, in the end you get used to it and it's even better than the Spanish timetables because the next day you can go to class' quietly' or get up relatively early (around 11-12).

Without a doubt the best places to party are Njoy the Bar and Ministry of Fun. Even so, since they don't open every day, we leave you a schedule for those who come to unburden.

• Monday: don't bother going out as you won't find anything open
• Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday: Ponorka (it's where the Slovakian people party. Be careful that here they drink a lot)
• Tuesday: Njoy the Bar (not every Tuesday is open). It's exclusive to Erasmus so it's cool because we all know each other.
• Friday: Ministry of Fun (usually house and the biggest nightclub in Slovakia), Piano Bar (another typical place among the locals. There are usually a lot of people)
• Saturday: Ministry doesn't usually have a lot of people, who don't fuck you up. Piano Bar
• Sunday: Nothing is open

The only place where you have to pay to enter is Ministry, which usually costs 3-4 euros on Fridays and Saturdays 7, although it depends on the party.

Important: Beware of Borovicka (the typical Slovakian alcohol) which is a bomb.

There are no typical Spanish cubatas with Fanta. You can always turn to shots, especially tequila shots. You can also opt for the Jaggerbom or vodka with juice of what they have xd

To drink beer (which, by the way, here you drink the Urpiner, which is made in the city), the best place for quality and price is the Break Bar (1 euro = 0. 5 l), or a restaurant in the main square right on the sign where it says' Pizza' (0. 80 cents = 0. 3 l). Although anywhere you'll find it cheap compared to Spain.

Impossible mission: the Slovak language

Language is very difficult. We've been here four months and we can only say' Thank you' and' Hello'. There is a subject called' Slovak for Foreigners' with which you are validate 3 credits, as we understand it.

Important: since the doorkeepers of the residence hall do not understand English, it is necessary to learn the word 'Dobre', which means 'Vale', since it is the method that most calms them. It will also save you from many other situations.

By the way, they are quite racist and violent with people who don't speak Slovak, don't get upset and use the technique we just taught you. You're welcome.

How to get to this f***** city without dying in the attempt

From Spain the cheapest way is to fly to Vienna, from there to Bratislava (1h) and from Bratislava to Banská Bystrica (3h). Travelling in Slovakia is free if you have a special train card (so you don't have to pay for the Bratislava-Banská route).

Other nearby airports that can also serve you are Budapest, Krakow or Bratislava.

Flights from Bratislava to Girona sometimes cost 11 euros.

It's not all partying. Cultural visits that are no longer necessary

There is the Urpin mountain (go upstairs without a doubt) and the SNP museum. At Christmas there is a Christmas Market in the main square very nice. Sometimes there are also cultural activities in the city but we don't know much because they are in Slovak. ESN (is the organisation where buddies are located) also usually organises cultural outings.

About Slovakia: High Tatras is an essential visit (photos).

The Buddies, those saviors who are so fond of marching

If you have a Buddy who has touched you not long ago, don't worry, there are 4 or 5 Buddies that will welcome you without any problem and will help you in whatever you need. They are also the organizers of most (if not all) activities and, believe us, they never disappoint.

Our advice

The most important thing is that you stay at the Tajovskeho 51 residence, as you meet a lot of people, and there are always plenty of activities.

At first when you arrive, everyone finds a city that is not what we expected, but in a few days and as you get to know people, you wouldn't change your destiny for anything in the world, even though it isn't as big a city as it is, for example, Krakow or Prague.

We have a special affection for Njoy because it is our private discotheque for Erasmus, we all know each other inside and it is like a family party where everyone always goes very blind.

Do not hesitate to go to the lost city of the hand of God called Banská Bystrica, and one of Barcelona city tells you so.