Erasmus Experience in Bologna, Italy by posy

Why did you choose to go to Bologna, Italy?

I think the Italian language and the country itself is very beautiful, and for me to be inspired in my work I need to be around things I find beautiful and that makes me happy. from past experiences, I new Italy did that. I also knew that art (painting, sculpture, mosaic.. the list goes on) has been a huge part of their culture throughout history. I wanted to go somewhere with a more traditional approach to working. not so many ifs, buts, whys, and donut's... for me to just make, for the pleasure of making.

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

My Erasmus program started on the 2nd of March and will end on the 17th or June. I am being given £664 so far and should be expecting another £330 or so when I have completed my course here.

For me, I'm lucky because that about covers my living cost. I am living just outside the old city walls. paying as little as 180 euro a month no bills included. but I am sharing a room. this I highly suggest as you get to meet more people and way cheaper. I know friends in the city center who are pay between 400 euro to 600 euro a month. it is quite hard to find housing in bologna as it is such a small city filled with students. hostels are quite expensive as are airbnbs. I would suggest finding a place before you come. I found mine on the website 'housing anywhere'

What is the student lifestyle like in Bologna?

Great! class is very chilled. as are most things in Italy. it is just the way things run... people are late, it doesn't matter, so on. class may start at 10 am, but you probably won't see your teacher till 10:30 am. the teachers are really lovely but the language thing is a bit of an issue. it's not holding us back but I would highly recommend doing as much duolingo as you can before you get out here and to also do the 3-week long language course in Perugia that is offered to you.

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Lunch break - spent sitting in the sun with all your mates.. maybe go to piazza verde for a beer. ( piazza Verde is where all the students hang out most of the time. it is always packed, people sitting in groups on the floor drinking, smoking, eating playing music)

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

Yes of course.

What is the food like?

So good. Bologna is known to be one of the main foody cites of Italy. so you can imagine there is a great selection. you do have to be careful though.. all that beer, pizza and pasts do start to pile up.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Bologna?

I paid on website £30 called Erasmus but I wouldn't suggest that as it doesn't guarantee results. just use housing anywhere

How much does it cost to live in Bologna?

180 euro - shared room, just outside the city center - no bills included

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

Bristol offers a 3-week language course in Perugia and then the academy di belli arti offers another with a reduced price. normally it would cost 360 euro but at the end of the art Italian course if you take to the university your tax code ( they will tell you about this when you arrive) you should be given 200 euros of that back. so in result, you are only paying 160 euros. this is 2 lessons a week of 1hr 40 mins lasting for around a month and a half.

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

I can't tell you anything about the transport to get to Bologna, but I recommend you taking the bike to move around the city. You can buy a bike from this Facebook group

Busses have also a good price. but more often than not you will find that in Italy people just don't pay. they hop on the back and no one ever checks the ticket.

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

Ahhh well, there are lots of clubs outside the city walls. I'm afraid I'm not very good at remembering names- but I can tell you to bars we love to go to.

- One that is run by the deaf ( senza nome) meaning without a name. just so you know there is no sign above the door for you to know where it is--- you will only tell by the crowd of people that surround it.

L'altro spazio is the other.

But as it is starting to get hotter lots more is happening on the streets. Bologna is a city for the people, not the cars. and on the weekends the main street is closed for cars so you people wandering around everywhere.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Basilica san Luca. so beautiful. you must take a walk up there. there is a tourist train/bus ting that can take you up for 5euro then you can walk down via the park. you just have to follow the red and white stripes to go in the correct direction. this is so beautiful.

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

Have fun