Erasmus Experience in Bologna, Italy by Karolina

Why did you choose to go to Bologna, Italy?

I have a friend here. She have helped me with renting a flat. There are also direct cheap flights from my town (Wrocław) to Bologna, so the transport here was very convenient.

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

It was two months. I've got 600 euro/month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Bologna?

Bologna is a student city. There is a lot of students everywhere.

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

Yes. I have only very positive experiences with University of Bologna. Everybody here was very helpful and nice. Bologna is a typical Italian city. It is also well communicated with nearest cities: Florence, Venice, Verona, so it is a very good place to travel and visit Emilia-Romania region.

What is the food like?

It is typical Italian food. A lot of pasta, tomatoes, vegetables but also meat and fish. I like it very much!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Bologna?

My friend help me with renting a flat. I have rented it from friend of my friend, so it was not a problem to find a flat.

How much does it cost to live in Bologna?

For my flat in center of the city I was paying 450 euro/month (bills included) but it was very cheap.

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

Italian is quite easy. Language courses are available at university, but you have to remember to register for them earlier.

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

From Wrocław to Bologna is very cheap plain. In the autumn prices were very low - 85 zł for one flight.

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

Near via Zamboni and piazza Verdi there is a lot of clubs, pubs and places for students.

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

There is a lot of restaurants. Near students area (via Zamboni, piazza Verdi) there is a lot of restaurants, bars for students. One of my favorite is in via delle belle arti.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

- church of san Petronio;
- basilica of san Luca;
- two towers - symbol of Bologna;
- piazza Maggiore;
- cities around Bologna (Ferrara, Padova), there are not very far but worth seeing;

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

- the climate is quite humid, the autumn was quite rainy here;
- it is the city well connected with others cities worth seeing like Florence, Venice, Verona, Padova etc.
- I think that also San Marino is worth seeing; it made an impression on me.