Erasmus experience in Bologna, Italy by Javier

Why did you choose to go to Bologna, Italy?

In the beginning I wanted to go somewhere that spoke English, but there were people who achieved higher grades than myself, so in the end I chose Bologna, which I read has one of the most important universities in Europe, is a city with a lot of Italian students, as well as foreign students, has a good night life and is a country with a lot to see.

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For how long did you receive your grant? How much money did you receive?

I had a grant that lasted 10 months and the total help I received was 2100€.

What is the student atmosphere like in Bologna?

It has a great atmosphere, a lot of young people in the streets any day of the week, we say it’s like the Salamanca of Spain, although I would say it’s much more. From what I understand it is the place that receives the most foreign students.

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

I would totally recommend it. I only have good memories from my stay in Bologna.

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What is the country’s food like?

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Man well, the food is basically based on pizza and pasta, they adore it, either for lunch or to have dinner, you will find Italian restaurants, pizzerias and small food stands everywhere that sell portions of pizza. For my taste and I think that of any Spaniard, the pizza and the pasta is not really a delicacy, because we consider it as junk food, but certainly for student life it is the best option.

Did it cost you anything to find accommodation in Bologna?

Yes, my course started at the end of September and I went at the start of July to find accommodation because I was advised that going in September without anything wouldn’t have been a good idea and I was totally certain this was the case. When I arrived in September with my flat and my keys, the majority of people didn’t have anything, they wasted a lot of money on hotels whilst looking for a flat and ended up staying in the worst flats in the end. I went for 5 days in July to find a flat, which I managed to do quite quickly and I would definitely do it that way again.

How much does it cost to live in Bologna?

Living in Bologna or whatever city in Italy seems to be very expensive. Everything is much more expensive than in Spain, rent, supermarkets, whatever, and if like every Erasmus student you want to travel, you can get by with around 1000€ each month easily, and the total help is 2000€, so you can already see roughly how much you need. I paid 390 for a single room, they are all very expensive and very old.

What is the language like? Did you attend any language courses at University?

The language is easy to learn, you learn things straight away and you start to speak it little by little. I did a 3 month course before going and after I did another course there that lasted a similar period of time. But the way you really learn is with the Italians themselves, or living with an Italian, I was lucky because I lived with 2 girls from Sicily and hung out with other Italians which helped us so much. We had friends that only hung out with other Spanish people and so they went back after 10 months without knowing how to say anything well… which to me seems disgraceful.

What is the cheapest way to get to Bologna from the city?

I went from Asturias to Madrid with Ryanair and again Ryanair from Madrid to Bologna. It was the cheapest and the quickest option. But now Ryanair do not fly from Asturias to Madrid.

Where would you recommend to go out in Bologna?

From one year to the next this can change, what I recommend is going to organisations for Erasmus students, ESEG and ESN, they are essential if you want to say truthfully that “I did my Erasmus in Bologna”. They change the places every day of the week, Corto Máltese, Giardini Margarita, Sodapop, Lab16, Millenium... there are so many, and each one has an assigned day of the week.

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

There was a pizzeria that was called Scapa Napoli that for me was amazing, and around Bologna you will find hostels that have really tasty dishes. It also has a website called http://www.pizzabo.it, with a home delivery service, perfect for days you don’t want to cook. As well, all the pizzerias in Bologna have websites, where you can choose the pizza from whichever place that you like the most. The pages are very useful.

And for a cultural visit?

You must see the secrets of Bologna, I am sure you have heard of them, it is the first thing you show your friends who come to visit from Spain, apart from the parties. It is important to visit the The Basilica of San Petronio, go up the Due Torri, the Piazza Maggiore and take walks along the miles and miles of architecture there is to offer.

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Do you have any advice that you want to give future students in Bologna?

Make the most of this year because it will be one of the best of your degree and I’m sure one of the best of your life for many people. Sign up for the ESEG and ESN for sure! You have the airport close by to Bologna with Ryanair, so travel! Take a bike to get around Bologna, everyone does it and you will see how they work; ) Make the most of learning the language because being able to communicate with Italians is a delight. Eat lots of pizza because the ones there are just something different and you’ll soon miss it. Also the ice-creams because they are incredible, they are just not the same in Spain, it’s no joke. Make sure you drink lots of beer at Piazza Verdi because it has such a great atmosphere every day of the week.