Marie Curie Experience in Catania, Italy by Nishant Peddagopu

Why did you choose to go to Catania, Italy?

Prof. Graziella in Department of Chemical science has been a prolific mentor and supervisor in the last decade or so and that really helped me to decide without any further deliberation. Also, the research topic aligned with my goals for a future career.

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

The scholarship lasts for 3 years.

What is the student lifestyle like in Catania?

Catania is a place full of fun-loving people, even for general the people here are quite warm and open to foreigners and thus student life involves a lot of good food, excursions to the Mt. Etna, beach and so many wonderful things to do other than only studies.

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

I will highly recommend the city but again, the university depends on the course and the Professors or the faculty involved.

What is the food like?

The food is just amazing here, if you happen to be a foodie then this is the place in the world to be. It is cheap and the best.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Catania?

Fortunately, it did not, since I always got in contact with the owners directly rather than going through agencies.

How much does it cost to live in Catania?

I would say give or take 400-500 euros if you are a student and living in shared apartments. if you wish to rent the whole place to yourself then the cost can go up drastically.

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

Language is not that easy but then there are a lot of language courses in offer.

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

The metro is the best way to travel and the cheapest.

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

Mt. Etna without a doubt if the weather permits, it's just magical

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

For food, horse meat is the best which is known as Polpetta and other than that you can also have the traditional panino. Place, there is not one and I don't think any place serves bad food here. Every place has it's own charm and waiting to be discovered.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are a lot of cultural sites in and around Catania like Piazza Duomo, Piazza Stesicoro there is the remains of an old colosseum and as such the whole town is quite historical, every building has its own story to tell.

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

Just lower your expectations in regards to transportation and administration. Other than that Catania is the best place to be for a semester or 2.