Vanessa's Erasmus Experience in Cagliari, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Cagliari, Italy?

I kind of chose Cagliari by chance. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to travel to Italy, but I just didn't know exactly where to. In the end, I have to say that it's the best place that I could have gone to.

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How long does your grant last for? How much money do you receive as financial support?

My programme lasts for 10 months and it's with EVS (European Voluntary Service), which belongs to Erasmus+.

Monthly, I receive 265€ of "pocket money", but the programme actually covers the cost of housing (rent payments), transport (money for the buses), and expenses (light, gas, water bills).

What is student life like in Cagliari?

It's absolutely great!

In Cagliari, I have made lots and lots of friends from all over the world; if you take into account that I am originally from Venezuela, you can really see that there is everything for me here on this little island. The atmosphere is lively, you will find people with their guitars, singing and very willing to socialise, especially on staircases, in Plaza San Sepulcro, at the Marina, or in the Bastione. Then, when summer finally arrives, the party scene moves over to Calamosca and Poetto beaches, as well as the east coast of Sardinia.

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Would you recommend the city and the university you study at in Cagliari to other students?

Yes, in all honesty, the city is beautiful. It's not huge, not in the way that you can really lose yourself in the vastness of it. If what you are looking for is a place where you can make true friends, have unique experiences, and, at the end of the day, get to know people (even the owners of your local bar), this is the perfect city for you.

Bear in mind that Cagliari is not only home to students, but also young entrepreneurs, volunteers, and young people undertaking professional internships, so the diversity amongst citizens is really obvious!

It's a lovely city, full of warm colours, clay ceilings, and stone walls; with history in all of its streets, and with a magical spirit that only this place in front of the sea can offer.

What is the food like in Italy?

The food is truly delicious!

'Fregola' with seafood, sea urchin, risotto with mussels, Sardinian desserts, sheep, tomato and basil tortilla... it's all absolutely delicious!

A positive thing is that the Sardinians are very generous by nature, and they have a lot of pride when it comes to their food. Therefore, if you go to Cortes Apertas, or to a party at los Mamutones, or any event on the island, prepare yourself to eat until you no longer can!

Another important thing, local wine production is a huge deal here, so forget factory-produced bottles of wine, here you will drink wine from plastic water bottles; these very same bottles that you take to the wine cellar to fill them directly from the local producer's barrels. It's a thousand times cheaper, 100% more natural, and very, very good!

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Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Cagliari?

Within the conditions set out by my programme, I already had accommodation sorted upon my arrival in Cagliari, but I know from my friends' experiences that it's not too difficult to find a good place. There are lots of people who live in big shared apartments, and they always rent to students, irrespective of whether they are actually from Sardinia or are foreign. This makes it quite interesting for new Erasmus students. My only piece of advice with regards to this is that if you really want to learn to speak Italian, move into an apartment with Sardinian students.

How much does it cost to live in Cagliari?

It depends. With the "pocket money" that I receive monthly, I am able to live comfortably. Obviously, I don't have strange tastes, and I'd rather drink a beer on the stairs accompanied by my guitar than go to a nightclub, but, if you take into account the fact that accommodation can cost around 300€ a month (with all bills included), 560€ should be more than sufficient to comfortably see you through the month.

In my house, there are 8 of us (from all over the world, from Norway to Costa Rica! ), and we split the shopping between us. In other words, once a week, we shop for all of us. This way, it's a lot cheaper (we only have to set aside 15€ a week), and it's a thousand times more fun, especially as we always cook together!

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What is the language like? Did you go to any language classes at the university?

Upon arriving in Cagliari, I took a language class at an organisation called 'Alfabeto del Mondo'. It's a really good place to go to and the people are warm and friendly. However, in terms of gaining experience in speaking the language, I would say that the real learning happens out and about in the city's streets. Going out and socialising, not only with other Erasmus students but also with the locals, will guarantee that, a couple of months down the line, you will speak Italian fluently, and, after 10 months, you will be mistaken for a Sardinian. Don't be scared of not being understood: those who are truly interested in talking to you will find a way to do so, and the end result will be something of a mix between mimes and laughter. Even by having conversations like this, you will learn a little more Italian without truly realising it!

What is the cheapest way of getting to Cagliari from your city?

Well, I took a flight with Aerolíneas Argentinas to Roma, and from there, another flight with Ryanair to Cagliari. It's not cheap, but that's Latin America for you.

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Which places would you recommend for nightlife in Cagliari?

La Piazza San Sepulcro, El Bastione, La Marina, Lelo's, Vinvoglio, Lima Lima, to name a few. In summer, I recommend the bars Poetto and Cuba Bar. There are lots of places to choose from, so the ones you go to will really just depend on your personal tastes. The options are endless. Another option for a great experience here in Cagliari is going to the Campidarte parties... they are usually held on a weekend and are fantastic!

And eating out in Cagliari? Can you name your favourite places?

Vinvoglio is a really chic place - it's a jazz bar that has some amazing appetisers. Johnny Drake on Via Garibaldi also has some delicious pizzas accompanied by good beer. The kebabs from ZaZa coul save your life at any time of the day, and the aperitifs at Tiffany's are excellent.

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And cultural hotspots?

Castello de Calamosca, Pula Beach, Mamoiadas, Cortes Apertas, Nurri, Villasimius... oh, and on the last Sunday of each month, the event Musei Aperti is great for getting to know all the archaeological spots and museums in the city.

In addition, there are lots of little cultural centres in the city, which hold concerts and poetry/theatre/photography events. To stay up to date with all the happenings, the information point at MEM can give you an agenda of activities in the city.

Is there any advice that you want to give to future students in Cagliari?

Enjoy every single thing you do - Cagliari is a truly incredible city!

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