My Erasmus Experience in Bari

Why did you choose to go to Bari, Italy?

I chose Bari as a destination simply because of curiosity and not knowing much about it. When applying for the Erasmus grant, I had the option of going to three other destinations in Italy, where I was not asked for any language certificate. The other three were Rome, Bologna and Catania, I already knew about all three of them and was able to place them on the map, but I couldn't do so with Bari. The only thing I knew about Bari was the football team, which currently only plays for the second division, nothing more.

So I chose Bari because I didn't know much about it, and because it was the city that I had heard the least about, so I thought they would give it to me nomatter what, and so I chose it.

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

My grant covered only 6 months although, depending on the coordinator of your home university and the coordinator of the destination university, it can be extended until the whole course is completed. Normally, they don't tend to impede requests to expand an Erasmus period, especially not the coordinators of the destination universities, but there are times when they don't allow you. So, if you want to be away for the whole year, it is better to choose a full course grant from the get go.

Another important issue is money, which varies according to the university and the autonomous community, so some may have more scholarships than others. In my case, I received a total of €1, 800, or the equivalent of €300 per month (the grant that everybody receives when they go on an Erasmus). You receive 70% at the beginning of the stay, after finishing the necessary paperwork at the destination university (the time also varies, some are given the grant a few weeks later and others in December, so it is better to not count on having that money from the get go). A very important thing to keep in mind is that if you want to extend your Erasmus the grant doesn't increase. That is to say that you can extend your stay, but they won't give you more money, they will only give you the amount that was agreed upon at the start.

Another very important thing about grants is that private entities also offer grants, such as savings banks. One tip is to ask for all the help you can, even if you think that they aren't going to give you the grant, you can never be too sure.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bari?

The student lifestyle is incredible, there is always something to do whether it be with other English people, Spaniards, Italians or Erasmus students from other countries. This is one of the things I liked most about my Erasmus in Bari, and the people here are very nice. From the first day you arrive you feel a part of the crowd. I'm talking about the ESN, an association of students that help you from the very beginning of your stay. They help you to find a flat, with the contract, to orientate yourself, with the paperwork of the university, they help you with practically everything. In general, there is always something to do.

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

Yes, I would, without a doubt, recommend the city. Bari is a relatively big city but it doesn't really have much to it. That is to say that you can see the old town, or "Bari Vecchia" as it is called, in 2 - 2. 5 hours. You could say that I live on the other side of the city almost, and yet it is only 20 - 25 minutes to where we usually went to drink. The old part of the city is beautiful, the newest part is less so, but in the style of any other city. Another important thing is that in Bari is not like the typical Italian city that usually comes to mind; there are not many large monuments and things like that.

The university... like all universities in the south of Italy, it is chaos. When you start there are professors that don't turn up, timetables, classes and everything changes. The timetables and subjects that run until September do not change, so keep calm. If you intend to always go to every class and study a lot, it would be better to go to the north.

What is the food like there?

The food in Baria, like in all of Italy, is incredible. You can eat the typical pasta, pizza, risotto, ice cream and panzerotti. There are so many things to try, and they are all so good, that is best that you go to try them yourself.

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Bari?

No, it wasn't difficult for me because I had the apartment from before I arrived, some acquaintances were here from the previous year's Erasmus and when they left we took their flat. In any case, it's not too difficult to find a flat here, the student association that runs here (ESN Bari) helps you by offering all the flats they have. From that you can summise that if you go relatively soon, the range of floors will be larger, and in just a few days you will have it sorted.

In any case, don't expect to have an incredible flat, the majority are old, which is why you pay between 200 and 300 euros, depending on the area and what it's like.

How much does it cost to live in Bari?

Bari is an accessible destination in regards to going on an Erasmus. That is to say that, adding together the flat, expenses and parties, it is normal to spend around 500-600 euros a month. If you add to that travel, something that for an Erasmus is the most normal thing in the world, the expenses mount up. Going on an Erasmus isn't cheap.

As far as food is concerned, prices are quite similar to in Spain, although always somewhat more expensive (similar circumstance for English people).

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

Italian is similar to Spanish, yes, but this doesn't mean to say that if you haven't studied any of it before and come without knowing the bare minimum that you will understand everything. Just like in the south of Spain, the people here also have a very strong accent, as well as speaking fast, so at first they will have to repeat the phrase two or three times before you can understand them.

It's very good idea to start Erasmus by knowing some Italian, especially since almost all Erasmus people make the same mistake: we get together with people from our country for the convenience of speaking the same language and proximity. And it is very normal to see Spaniards with Spaniards, French with French, Poles with Poles etc. That does not mean that when you go out to party or do something else not everyone gets together, but in the day to day this is the most normal thing to happen.

My university did not offer me any language course, nor did it ask me to have a degree to do an Erasmus. A few months before coming I learned a bit with free apps, although they don't seem to help much. Even so, when you really learn is when you're on an Erasmus placement.

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

From my city, Bilbao, the cheapest way to go is by going to Santander and then flying from there. It leaves much cheaper than going from Bilbao, and you will have a layover from both places. The times I have returned to Spain or I have come to Bari, I have had a day's layover in Brussels, a good opportunity to see Brussels, a city in which there are many things to see, and never disappoints. Of course, you could also do the whole trip in one day, with a layover in Rome, for example. Even so, you have to juggle schedules, especially because in Rome you have to change airports, and since there is no direct connection between them it takes around two hours.

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

Like in most places in Europe, the party starts soon and ends soon, so don't expect it to be like in Spain and be partying until the sun rises. There are a couple of clubs, but the only way to get to them is by car. But that is not a problem, the ESN organises parties in that club about once a month, and every time a they also organise a coach.

The usual thing to do is to go to the Piazza Mercantile (a square in the centre), which in good weather (or rather, when it does not rain) is the meeting point of the Erasmus and Italians. The plan is simple: drink Peroni (the beer of Bari, it costs 1 euro a bottle in the bars) and socialise. Even so, every day there is something organized by the ESN, so there is always something to do every night.

Something that is often done in Bari is to go to an afterparty at somebody's house when the bars and clubs shut. Normally somebody offers their house for this, and you will also do this at some point. In these makeshift after-parties you continue drinking while some Italian cooks a pasta dish with the first thing they find in the kitchen that, considering the time it is and the level of alcohol in your system, it seems like a delicacy worthy of any restaurant with three "Michelin stars". It's obligatory to do this as least once during your Erasmus placement.

Is it good to eat out in Bari? Can you name some of your favourite spots?

In Bari you can eat well anywhere, every few meters you have a pizzeria which, comparing the quality price ratio to those you can eat at in Spain (or England), are a delight that you will never get tired of eating at. It doesn't matter what the place is like because, with the company that will go with you, you will not care. You can eat panzerotti in Piazza Mercantile, go to the food vans near the "lungomare" (waterfront) or even find a "cornetteria" (Italian bakery) at dawn, when you leave the club. The cornetti are a tyoe of croissant stuffed with chocolate spread, cream, etc. The best cornetti store is close to the prison, although there are several throughout the city.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

This is the part where Bari falls behind, in the city there are not many things to see. You can see Bari Vecchia in practically 2 - 2. 5 hours, it is a small, old city, but it does have its charm. The streets here are very similar to each other, so it is normal to get lost between them and see the real Italian streets. Furthermore, in one of those streets there are ladies making pasta that they then later sell, all 100% natural and homemade. This is really good, but don't expect the same thing in the supermarkets. There is also the Basilica of Saint Nicola (one of the patrons of Bari) and there is surely something else that I have forgotten about.

Near Bari there are also several villages that are beautiful and you have to visit them, such as Matera and Alberobello. They are well connected, so it is a good idea to visit. Of course, it is advisable to go see them in good weather, the best time to go is at the beginning of the Erasmus period.

As an extra piece of advice, I leave you with this, which will interest you when you being your Erasmus

The climate:

Although it is the south, Bari is level to Barcelona, do not make the mistake of thinking that it will be like Andalucia. You can wear short sleeves and shorts until November, but not much later. In the morning it is hot, but then it cools, which is nice. The bad part is that the sun rises and sets early; at seven o'clock in the morning it is already completely day and at six o'clock in the afternoon it is almost night (this is in November or so). Although at first this may seem silly to you, when you are in bed asleep and the light sneaks in, you will remember this.

The people:

This is what I liked the most. From the moment you arrive they help you in everything, from the people of the ESN to anyone you meet. The people of the ESN (although now it does sound a bit odd, that the organisation makes any problems you come into contact with disappear) are the best there is; they pick you up at the airport when you arrive and take you to your flat. They will help you to find one if you don't have one already, and they even help you in the contract so that you don't fall for any scams. They also organize activities, both cultural and for sports or entertainment; you will not get bored.

Travelling:

A special mention for travel, and that's because if Erasmus has anything it's that you spend all day with your rucksack on your back, and not necessarily for studying.

Plane:

It is a fact that nowadays there are many airlines that offer flights for almost laughable prices, and if you search properly you can find real bargains. Of course, you have to spend a while looking at different airports and connections, so that you have the least layovers (if necessary) or you get the cheapest ticket possible (being Erasmus you really have to be very careful with money so that you can travel even more).

Ryanair and Wizzair (it is a Hungarian company (I think)) operate in Bari, which I personally did not know about until I arrived here. The prices are still lower than Ryanair's and the destinations are much more interesting. It's very important to keep an eye out each time you want to travel, as you can find some real bargains. Of course, another important fact, the planes are larger and much more comfortable than those of Ryanair, so you feel more comfortable. Of course, the backpack that you can bring with you is carry-on size, so you have to use the classic tricks such as wearing more clothes than usual or, if not, travel with minimal luggage. They are two low-cost companies, and you can travel around Europe for very little money. I will give you the example of some trips I have been on: I went to Romania for €20, to Malta for €30 and to Brussels for €35, all return trips. In addition to that the ESN organises trips that don't cost too much, either to visit niehgbouring towns or to other places.

But it is not only that, Ryanair has direct connection with cities like Rome and Milan (with very low prices, going to Rome costs barely 14 euros) and from there you can reach practically any country in Europe for a very interesting price. It seems that I am advertising the airlines, I know, but it's just that when you leave Spain and see what the flights cost on sites as interesting as the ones I have already mentioned (there are many more) you still really want to look for flights. When you come you will experience it yourself and you will realise that I have reason.

Train:

The train is a very good option for trips that are not very long, for example if you go to Brindisi or Lecce. The prices are very affordable as long as you stay in the south; when you go more to the north things get more expensive. In this way it is very similar to Spain.

Bus:

This has been one of my discoveries, and it is that Flixbus is a low cost bus company. You could say it is the Ryanair of buses. It is the best option to go from city to city when they are close together, especially when you want to travel to different cities on the same trip, making a route.

The closest example would be the Bari-Naples route, and it is normal to find this route, return trip, for just 10 euros. Of course, you can not wait until the last minute if you want to travel with Flixbus, because prices usually rise when there are only a few days left before the trip. This isn't just the case for in Italy, it's essentially the same for across all of Europe. Another interesting route is the Brussels to Amsterdam route, and because the Bar to Brussels flight is really cheap (although this leaves you in Charleroi, not in the Brussels capital city (this trip will be explained in a later post of my blog: Discovering Europe)).

Ferry:

It is the third option, and really the least used. If you are very good at comparing prices and looking for a trip a long time in advance, you can surely find some bargains for travelling to Alabia, Croatia or the Greek Islands, for example. Bari has one of the most important ports in the south, so there are places that you can get to. Of course, of all forms of travel it is undoubtedly the most expensive of them, at least from my personal experience.

- Codice Fiscale:

(Fiscal Code) It is the most important document you need when you get here. It is like your ID, but an Italian version. You can get it in Bari as soon as you arrive, so remain calm. Although there is also the option to do so before coming, by contacting the Italian embassy in your city and filling out and sending a form (it is free), you only need to send two certified envelopes. It takes about a month for the card to reach your house (highly recommended to be able to buy beer from the street machines, you will need it). If you do it in Bari, they give you a paper that same same instant and days later you get the card delivered to your house. It is absolutely essential to for flat contracts, so you need it no matter what.

- Flats:

Flats are something special in Bari. Do not expect anything other-worldly, they are all quite old, most of them don't even have microwaves or coffee makers, to give you an idea. It is essential to sign the contract, as there are landlords who want it signed, so to be sure it is better to have the document, just in case.

The biggest problem here is the neighbors, because they are already fed up with living with Erasmus. At the slightest opportunity they will call the landlord or complain to the administrator, and as they are there all year they have to win. I don't know if I would recommend that you greet them and always talk to them, or completely avoid them, so there you are alone.

From my experience (I have a neighbor that is the typical lady attached to the peephole), it is best to ignore them and maintain conversation with your landlord only, who is the important one after all. It is also true that my problem in this department was because, using the huuuuuge terrace of my apartment, my colleagues and I had a party to which we invited, in total, about 95 people. Everything went smoothly, but they ended up complaining and now there are certain arguments. Even so, it was all very funny.

- What do you do before and, above all, after partying?

We begin now with one of the most important sections because, let's be honest, Erasmus is mainly parties and alcohol. As I said before, in Bari the party starts early and ends just as early, so you will want to continue with the party more than once, surely, but all the bars will be closed. A great annoyance, so we cheat. You could look for a pub, in which the Peroni is €1. 50 - €2 instead of €1, and pay that for a Peroni to burn you. You can also mix it up and start with predrinks, but that isn't really worth it.

Let's imagine you are in Piazza Mercantile, and the bars are closed, or about to close. They no longer have Peroni left, so the beer costs €2 - €2. 50, which is now too much. The solution is to go to the vending machines, which are in strategic points in the city, and there you can buy your long-awaited Peroni for €1, or you could buy two, or three, or four, or as many as you can see, but at its normal price. For that you need the plastic card version of the Codice Fiscale, but you will have to suffer the trouble of asking an Italian friend, who will surely give it to you, but it is not a good idea to always ask for it.

Now let's imagine another assumption, that you get hungry while partying, or that you have no food to make when you get home at 5 in the morning; a task right. But no, there is a solution, remain calm. You can go to the famous Panemerda. They are food vans that are next to the promenade, the quality isn't too bad, and at that time you'll eat anything, it is true, but they take away your hunger, which is the important thing.

But, without a doubt, the best option is to go to the cornetteria (you will be very lucky if there is one near your house) and eat all the cornetti you want, one right after the other, as they only cost €0. 80. There is a very wide range of flavors, and there are the typical nutella and cream to the pistachio, lemon or coconut cornetti.

The best thing is that, in Bari, they open this type of premises very early, which makes no sense, since here the party ends early. But it is not unusual to see a "charcuteria" open at that time. The reason does not matter, honestly, the good thing is that they are open and save the lives of hundreds of Erasmus students.

Do you have any advice for future students going to Bari?

A final piece of advice is that you remain calm. Surely when you see Bari on the list of options you would think "where the hell is that? " Keep calm, we all thought the same thing. And when they gave you the place (if they have already given it to you), you will have begun to look for information everywhere to get an idea of what it is like. Yes, we have all done this as well. Did you find a picture of some cliffs with red flowers, which seems to have been taken of a paradise island? Well that is not the beach of Bari, it is Polignano a Mare, which is nearby and you can easily get to it.

Now in all seriousness, I will tell you that you are going to live one of the best experiences of your life, you will meet new people, especially at the beginning, when every day you will meet a dozen people. At first, you will not remember their name, but as the days go by they will become your family here. They will become those who you share your fears, concerns, doubts with and those you will share incredible travels through Europe with (if there is one thing you will do on Erasmus, it is travelling, wherever and however) and epic parties that you will not get tired of remembering.

A person I love very much told me that when you come to Bari on Erasmus you cry three times. One when you say goodbye to your family, one when you arrive in Bari and one, the worst of all, when you leave Bari.

The only thing I can tell you about Bari is that I liked it so much that next year I will come back here on Erasmus again. If you have any doubts or questions, don't be afraid to ask.

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