Erasmus Experience in Cassino, Italy by Negin

Why did you choose to go to Cassino, Italy?

I was searching for English master courses related to business, I found two universities: one in Cassino and one in Rome that matched with what I was searching for.. I applied for both universities, but I got an admission from the university of Cassino faster than Tor Vega university in Rome but when I got my visa, I received an admission from Tor Vega university in Rome. Unfortunately it was very late.. so I came here..

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

For all students who are eligible for a scholarship (for regular student, I mean for a master or bachelor course not Erasmus), it is 5000 per year that is paid in 2 parts in a year.

What is the student lifestyle like in Cassino?

Cassino is a small city, so everybody knows each other. There are some parties or festivals in most of Saturdays and Sunday in the city centre but besides that there is not much to do in Cassino. There are two small shopping centres, a park and Monte Cassino for visiting, but people are nice and friendly..

If you enjoy travelling, Cassino is in a good area, it is between Rome and Naples, it is far from the sea only 20 minutes by car, there are different mountains around of Cassino for those who like trekking and climbing..

I got bored in first 6 months when I came here since I searched for a basketball team and a trekking group but I could not find them, there is just a basketball team for boys not girls, but when I found the CAI Cassino which is the most famous trekking group in Cassino (CAI is a trekking group in all cities in Italy)then everything got changed and I am enjoying beautiful nature in Italy and also some historical places which are not in cities.. so you should find something here to enjoy.. for guys there are different sport teams, there are some gyms and dance classes, and trekking and travelling.. for sure there are bars and restaurants good enough for those who just want to relaxed..

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

it depends on what the student is looking for.. university of Cassino is good, but there are some better universities in Italy, the City is nice for relaxing comparing some big cities like Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples, but there is not much cultural and historical places here and finding job for students is difficult especially if you don't know Italian language.. but in General I can say yes, I recommend it to others.. I am happy here.. except of one thing.. if you need to have permesso for living here, the immigration office which is under region of Frosinone is not working well at all.. foreign students receive their permesso very late and even not for an efficient time..

What is the food like?

it is Italian food.. I love it.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Cassino?

I requested for dormitory before I came to Italy and my request was accepted, it took 2 days until I received the dormitory key. but if you want to rent a room in the city, it is better you put 3-4 days for it at least.

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How much does it cost to live in Cassino?

About cost of life, for renting a room you need to pay 150-180 per month, between 20-30 euro for Gas, Electricity and water, transportation can be done by walking or bicycle, for food, it depends on person if he/she cooks at home or buys food from outside.. if you cook at home so something around 150-200 should be enough for food cost.. so in total I can say at least 350-400 is your living cost with normal expenses for students.. if you drink a lot of beers, eat outside and go to parties and etc more than one or two times in a week so the cost get increased. by the way, if you can use dormitory, then your living cost gets reduced a bit, since you pay 150 for the room and you don't need to pay for water, gas and electricity.. but it is a little far from city centre (Cassino is a small city so you can walk or go by bike.. also bus is passing in that way 3-4 times per day.

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

University arranges a course for foreign students, also there is a school that arranges Italian course for immigrants and student for free.. just you need to be lucky that the course starts when you are here.

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

I am from Iran, so the best way is a flight for me, but students from Europe can check air plane and train and bus cost and see which one is the best for them.. recently Mega-bus started to work in Italy between most of big cities, also you can find cheap flight in Rayanair.. but you need to book your ticket in advance. but for coming to Cassino, you need to go to Rome or Naples and then you come to Cassino by train. from Rome to Cassino or from Naples to Cassino the cost of train is 6-8 euros.

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

There are different bars and restaurants in the centre of Cassino..

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

Most of the restaurants are good here.. it depends which type of food you like..

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Monte Cassino is the most famous cultural and holy place in Cassino.. you can go by trekking or by bus.. there is a church and a museum in the top of the mountain.. which goes back to Romans time.. but it got rebuilt after second world war.

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

I said everything that I thought is important.. just again I repeat it.. book your accommodation (hotel, dormitory or renting a room) before you come to Cassino, book your travelling ticket in advance, buy a second hand bicycle here and learn some basic Italian language before you come to Italy.