Erasmus Experience in Craiova, Romania by Matteo

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Why did you choose to go to Craiova, Romania?

Because I've always been interested in eastern Europe, and because of the presence the largest Italian community of Romanians in my hometown, Turin. Craiova was the only destination in Romania for my faculty, and I chose it mostly because of these 2 reasons, without knowing so much about the city itself.

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

The scholarship is 9 months, and I got about 230 € per month, enough for the basic costs (renting and food).

What is the student lifestyle like in Craiova?

I found Craiova like a dynamic, cultural, clean and unexpectedly active city. First, there are less lessons than how I was used to (just 2 hours per week for a subject, instead of the 4 or 6 hours per week I have in Turin), so I had more free time, to discover better the city and to go over the apparent wall of diffidence and provincialism that many people (not just foreigners! ) being there denounce. Craiova is in a particular position, because the region is not very rich, and especially in downtown you can find abandoned and poor areas. Despite this, the city centre is a jewel of order, green and clean. Criminality is not so high (much less than other cities of the same size, 300. 000 inhabitants), and there are many nice pubs, bars and discos. Park N. Romanescu, about 15 minutes of walk from centre, is in my opinion one of the most beautiful city parks in whole Europe. There are not so many English speakers, but people are usually available to help you in orienteering, both at university and in the city. I generally found it like a balanced half way between a quiet and relaxing place, and a city where you have any service and possibility you need.

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

Undoubtedly yes. I think it's one of the best cities in Romania, and in whole eastern Europe.

What is the food like?

The 2 main columns of Romanian food are corba (hot soup) and meat, especially smoked one. I think in both these plates, restaurants of Craiova are excellent. Moreover in the Market (quite close to university, and open every morning) you can find whatever you look for: apart for meat and ham, they everywhere sell pasta, pizza, fruits, vegetables, and any kind of international food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Craiova?

At first I had my room in the university dormitory, through an agreement with university office. Then I and 2 other Erasmus students decided to take an apartment in the centre, because we were thinking that dormitory was too far (about 20 minutes of walk from university).

How much does it cost to live in Craiova?

Not so much. I think everywhere in Romania the price of life (especially in food and drinks) is generally the half of the one in euro zone.

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

There is a course of Romanian held at university, for which you must go and ask on your own at the office of the faculty of languages (filologie in Romanian). I personally think that for people (like me) having a latin language as their mother language, Romanian is very accessible, and with some little efforts in 1 month you can arrive to communicate basically. Also people speaking a Slavic language, or Germanic (or ugro-Finnic, Greek, Albanian, etc), will find it so much easier, especially in grammar, than other languages of their groups.

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

By plane: there's a very comfortable option newly opened, with a flight from Milan Bergamo directly to Craiova. Otherwise, by plane to Bucharest, and e last part of the trip by train (about 3 hours).

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

As I said there are many places: at least 4-5 nice discos (in my opinion the best ones are Krypton and Corona), or in the many pubs scattered everywhere in the centre. If you want to relax or go out with a boy/girl, both parks Tineretului and Romanescu are very nice and romantic.

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

Minerva restaurant is universally recognised as one of the best in whole Romania, even if it's much more expensive than others, but more elegant (still, for a girl it would be perfect). I personally liked a lot El Greco on the main square (very good ice creams and patisserie! ) and Mercur restaurant, from which you also have a very nice landscape of the city and the famous building of prefectura. Just one more line for, always on my opinion, the best kebab in the city: La Rond, on the way to the railway station.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Museum of Art is very nice: it host also some sculptures of the craiovean artist Constantin Brâncuși, popular in all Romania. Moreover Craiova is quite close to Targu Jiu, where are his most known works. Museum of local history is also very interesting. The city centre is on my opinion a museum in open air: wherever you look at, there are very nice and interesting buildings. The prefectura is considered by many like one of the most beautiful and charachterisitc buildings in Romania. Theatre Marin Sorescu is very nice, and the walk behind it, known as "walk of personalities" because of the statues of some Romanian great historical characters scattered along the way, is very curious and deserving. Also the big white building of university, next to theatre, is looking very nice.

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

Don't be discouraged! Craiova maybe looks less popular than other cities (such as the beautiful Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, Brasov), and it needs more time to be discovered, but I ensure you it really worths, both because of people and because of the beauty of city itself. Enjoy it all what you can, and you'll come back extremely happy!

La revedere! Noroc!

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