Personal Bologna

What I'm going to tell is not personal, it's business: my landlord was called Michele Corleone. I swear. Traffic with a very cool flat on Frassinago street. In Bologna itself, the dotta, the grassa, the rossa. Maybe that's why, no, it was certainly for that reason, my father told me: "Don't discuss the price, never do it. " And, as is often the case with parental advice, I hate to say this, I was right. You couldn't argue with that guy, but I'll tell you later.

I have been fortunate to live an Erasmus year in Bologna so I would like to share my experience hoping it can be useful for new students arriving in the city. Also to the old Erasmus who enter the morriña from time to time and want to remember their stay in the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Bologna gives to write several books about her; However, I will try to focus on those issues that I consider fundamental for newcomers, as well as some things to discover when you are more settled.

(Foto: Italy magazine)

Apartment search

My first advice is find accommodation as soon as possible. Bologna is a university city and, as such, thousands of students (from all over Italy and Europe) try to find a flat every year. I was lucky enough to find it through Erasmusu in June (the course started in September) but don't think it was an easy task. My roommates and I were looking at different pages for months. Another option is to go find it on-site either in summer (if your pocket allows it) or wait until September and stay in a hostel while you search. This last option I advise against. At that time the city is saturated with students looking for the same as you and I have met many people who have had a hard time finding it, even at risk of returning home. Some friends had to sleep on the sofas in our living room while they searched because there was no room or in the hostels. Real chaos. You could also opt for a residence like We Bologna but the experience of my friends tells me that they are more expensive than an apartment and are usually far from the center; however, I'm sure I don't know all of them.

As for the location, my recommendation is to find a house within the limits of the old wall, in the historic center. Do not look for such a fortress because it no longer exists, instead of wide avenues full of cars delimit the old part of the city. Almost all faculties and sites of interest are within these limits or very close to them.

As you could have imagined, so much demand for apartments derives in a high price of the rents, that usually go up to € 300 per month or even more; although if you look well you can find real bargains. In most cases, you will have to share a room, which does not have to be a problem.

Finally, be careful with the landlords! I already told you at the beginning of the story. All the luck that I had found a flat turned against me when it came to recovering the deposit. He asked us for two months of rent in advance that he would return to us at the end of the year. The day before leaving he came to see the floor and said everything was in order. Two days later, when we were already in Spain but had not yet made the transfer, he told us that with daylight he had seen many damages. Not only would he not return the bond but he would ask us for more money. A real Corleone.

Student associations

Once you have a place to sleep and you have arranged all the paperwork with your university and that of Bologna, do not hesitate to sign up for Erasmus associations such as the ESN or Erasmusland. You will have to pay for a membership card That is about € 10. It may seem expensive but you will quickly amortize them by going to discos for free.

Not only of the party live these associations. They make trips in large Erasmus groups throughout Italy. They are usually cheaper than traveling on your own and a good way to meet people from all over Europe. In addition, they also organize all kinds of cultural and sports activities.

Transportation

The Bologna city bus network is very useful both for the number of lines and the frequency and breadth of its schedules. Not a few work at night (with shorter hours) even on weekdays.

Another very good option to get around Bologna is get a bike. It is a completely flat city so it is full of them. Arm yourself with patience and ask at the repair shops if they have any second-hand ones. They usually have few because, at the beginning of the course, all students try to get one; however, after asking in many stores you can find something affordable. As an alternative, a peculiar bicycle auction is organized at the beginning of each semester in Piazza Maggiore. The different thing about these bids is that the price is not bargained (which is fixed, but not very high) but you will have to attract attention by singing, dancing or doing anything you can think of. The most original will take the coveted trophy. If you do not have so much patience you can always go to Piazza Verdi and they will sell them even cheaper on the street but, beware! They are of origin say "uncertain".

Language

If you are thinking of doing Erasmus in Bologna but not knowing Italian makes you doubt… Do not think twice! I went with a less than elementary level (A1) and most of my classes were in Italian (I study electrical engineering). I had no problem. The university offers a free Italian course for different levels to exchange students. You may notice a little fish the first few weeks but then you will take it easy. This has been my experience as a Spanish speaker, but it can be applicable to anyone who knows a Romance language.

Places

I do not intend to make a tourist guide but I do believe that pointing out some of the most emblematic places could help you get a general idea of ​​the city.

Piazza Maggiore. There you can find some of the best known points of Bologna such as the Basilica of San Petronio and the statue of Nettuno. When I lived there I was under construction (they were supposed to end in January and I left in June without seeing it in all its splendor). The only advantage was that, on the first Sunday of each month, they opened it to the public and you could climb the scaffolding until you came face to face with the very god of the seas.

Via Pescherie Vecchie. One of my favorite places in Bologna. In this street are the oldest fishmongers in the city (as the name implies) as well as il Mercato di mezzo and many other grocery stores. In addition, there are many bars with their terraces always overflowing with tapas. It is the ideal place to try the well-known Bologna in Bologna, but do not hesitate to delve into the other sausages that they usually offer in tasting tables.

(Foto: Tripedia)

Via Zamboni. The street of the students. Start at Due Torri (a symbol of the city) to spread through the university district. Most of the faculties are there. It is always packed with students, especially Piazza Verdi where they meet after classes to have a drink sitting on the floor or playing music. Young people to the hull.

(Foto: Divento)

Piazza San Francesco. An environment similar to what you can find in Piazza Verdi but if international students predominated there, here the Italians do.

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. A must-see pilgrimage for any Bolognese worth his salt. It is an incredible 4km walk under the famous Bologna arches, yes, uphill.

(Foto: Foro de ciclismo)

I Giardini Margherita. Fundamental for times of good weather. Always full of people, it is an ideal place to spend the afternoon surrounded by friends. It is also an important part of the city's nightlife as we will see later.

(Foto: Bologna Welcome)

Of course, I have left many buildings and monuments without commenting. I think that is information that you can easily find on the Internet and much more detailed than what I can provide. You can start researching one of the most famous routes, the 7 secrets of Bologna, including Venezia Piccola.

Travel

An essential part of Erasmus. Bologna is a very important communications node in Italy, so it is very easy to move around the country. Where the train does not arrive, surely the student associations do. In addition, very cheap flights depart from the airport throughout Europe. It is an opportunity to travel east of the continent at balance prices (€ 20 round trip to Sofia, for example). Another option is to rent a car for some excursion. If you fill them with people it is not expensive with some companies.

Restaurants

Pizza Casa. You will surely hear from him as soon as he arrives. The cheapest pizzas in the city (€ 2. 5 the Margherita). It is almost permanently open.

Pizzeria Due Torri. One of the best to eat pizza in trancio (by portions). In the heart of the city.

Spacca di Napoli. The most popular among Erasmus when we could stretch a little more. In return, we ate a high-quality pizza that goes beyond the size of the plate. They also serve another type of food.

Osteria dell’orsa. One of the best-known restaurants in Bologna. It is not a pizzeria so it is a good option to try other types of Italian dishes at an affordable price.

Caffè Zamboni. The best of the aperitivi. What are aperitivi? All an invention. They are a custom of Bologna to pay a drink at a higher price than normal (between € 6-10, this one was € 8) and to eat as much as you want from a buffet that they constantly replenish.

For a considerable budget (ideal if the visiting family comes) I also recommend All’Osteria Bottega and the Postiglione taverna. Eye! You have to break the piggy bank.

Culture

Mens sana in corpore sano. We have already talked about corporate. Bologna is a city with an intense cultural activity that students can enjoy with multiple advantages. The communal theater of Bologna usually makes discounts with the university card. There we could enjoy shows like opera and theater for a price of € 10 (the cheapest ticket at a normal price could be around € 40).

Another advantage of the university card is to be able to enter the Palazzo Pepoli for free on Tuesdays, where the Bologna history museum is located, which I highly recommend. Various exhibitions are also held.

For lovers of the seventh art, Erasmusland organizes a free cinema of Italian films in the original version. If you dare, you can approach every Monday by the faculty of economics. In addition, in June, with the arrival of summer, the town hall installs a giant screen in the Piazza Maggiore where it projects films of all kinds in the original version.

(Foto: Zero)

Nightlife

Surely many of you were waiting for this part to be treated, and if you are looking for a party, Bologna will not disappoint you. Every day of the week you can enter a different disco with the Erasmusland and Esn cards. Tuesday, Soda Pops; Wednesday, Kinki; Thursday, Hobby one and Saturday, Qubò. This could be the week of any Erasmus in Bologna to which we must add the parties organized by the associations. In addition, there are summer clubs that open in good weather (in spring and continue until September) such as Chalet dei Gardini Margherita and Villa Serena. It is what a city with so much university life has. The best way to keep up on these issues is to follow the social networks of the associations. Apart from the Erasmus bars, there are other nightclubs such as Millenium (which needs its own card to enter just like Kinki) and the big clubs on the outskirts (which charge a considerable fee).

You can also party without leaving home. I mean, from houses. Bologna is full of student apartments and since not everything is going to be studying, some of the best parties in Bologna are organized in these apartments. Find a friend in the building of the 13 singolas (single rooms). A house was full of Erasmus with parties all year round.

Làbas

A very peculiar site of Bologna. It is an occupied site, tolerated by the town hall, where they organize activities of all kinds. On Wednesday nights you can go over there to have a drink. When you read this it may not be open anymore. News has reached my ears that they want to tear it down to build on the site. It would be a shame because they really managed to mobilize the entire city for their activities.

Grotte di Labante.

I recommend this place in the province of Bologna. It is perfect for a day trip and not many Erasmus people know it. To get there, you can go by train to Vergato. Once there it will be your decision whether to take a bus or continue on foot. Google Maps will show you the way. I leave a video of the place.

(Foto: Sassomolare)

So after a year that has changed my life, I have no choice but to also change the beginning of this story. It really has not been business, everything has been personal. Growth, learning, fun, companionship, effort, travel, more fun, new languages, new landscapes, old cities, new horizons, and many studies. And, above all, Europe.

I think that, after this adventure, I will never be the same person again. I will be another better person. With more wisdom and, especially, more experience. That is why I can say, to whom it may concern, that if in an advertisement, tweet, reference, screenshot, Instagram, Facebook or whatever, a landlord named Michele Corleone approaches him, do not do business with him. It has nothing personal.