My Erasmus Experience in Bratislava, Slovakia - by Juan Luis

Why did you choose to go to Bratislava, Slovakia?

A friend who had been there the year before recommended it to me, and I was also attracted by its location in the centre of Europe and low standard of living.

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How long did your scholarship last? How much were you paid?

My exchange was for four months, and I received about 150 euros per month. Due to problems with my university, I couldn't stay for the whole year. My grant covered my accommodation, since in the university residences the rooms are very cheap at 80 to 160 euros per month.

What's the student life like in Bratislava?

The atmosphere here is very good. I arrived late, in October, but fitted right in straight away. There are students of all different nationalities, and above all friendly people who were always willing to help each other out.

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

The city is quite a comfortable place to live in general. The public transport is good, cheap and still runs in the rain and snow. There are several central shopping centres, bars, and there's always something to join in with. It's not particularly pretty, but it's a nice to place to live, and the Christmas markets in the wintertime are great.

What's the food like in Bratislava?

The food was what I had the least trouble with, in all honesty. They like rice and chicken there, and in thousands of different combinations!

The food will never be like it is in Spain, but there are supermarkets where you can buy everything you need without problems. The restaurants are generally good.

Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Bratislava?

No, because my university signed me up to live in a student residence and in the summertime I confirmed this with Bratislava. I had no problems in this respect.

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How expensive is everyday life in Bratislava?

It depends whether you live in a hall of residence or rent a flat in the city centre. You'll need about 400 to 500 euros a month to be able to live comfortably.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language course at the university?

The language, Slovakian, is impossible. The Slovaks as people are quite private, and since there are lots of young people about, people speak English in a lot of areas. I didn't go to a language course. In general, I got on OK with the language, but it wasn't easy in some cases.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Bratislava from your home city?

Ryanair has lots of cheap flights on offer, especially if you go via Milan. I stayed overnight at a friend's house.

What are the best places for partying in Bratislava?

I quite liked Priatelia and there are lots of bars in the Old Town.

What does Bratislava have to offer in terms of culture?

There is a great music culture, since there are philharmonic orchestras with the city being only 60 kilometres from Vienna, a hub of cultural activity.

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Do you have any advice for future students coming to Bratislava?

Don't think about it, just go there. It's been the best experience of my life so far, the city has everything and you can do everything there. A harsh winter begins in December, but it's still okay.

The university's quite good, I went there to do Management (Comenius) and you learn English without realising it.

Choose Bratislava!