Erasmus Experience in Genoa, Italy, by Luisa María

Genoa

Italy is a perfect destination for all of you who love art, architecture and restoration. In my case, I'm an architecture student and I would love to dedicate my life to renovation. For this reason, I wanted to go to an Italian city.

And, why Genoa?

To be honest, I didn't think about it that much, but I chase this city because is close to the sea but at the same time is limited by a mountain, with Mediterranean weather and located in Europe in a way that would be easy to travel inside and outside of Italy. Besides, I like that it's not a very touristic city.

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

This is my second month here in Genoa. The scholarship lasts 9 months, now I just received the first payment of € 1, 025 (Europe) but in my case, I'm still waiting to receive the MEC and Junta de Andalucía money.

How is the student lifestyle in Genoa?

The atmosphere is amazing, you can't miss any event or BBQ that are organized specially at the beginning of the year in order to meet all the Erasmus students from other countries and continents.

The Faculty of Architecture is located in an old building, with indoor gardens to rest and see a little sun when this decide to come out. The lessons, if you compare them with the high level that we have in architecture in Granada here is lighter, but you learn things from a different point of view rather than the technical level we are used in Spain.

Among the Erasmus students who are so far from home, we are really connected. At the end, we had created a new family, a second family where everyone took care of each other.

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

Even though at the beginning I thought that the city wasn't very interesting, each day I'm more and more in love with this city. Little by little you will discover new places and things to do, Genoa has no reason to envy any other Italian city. And, even if the weather is constantly changing, every time the sun comes out you will be extremely happy!

How is the national food?

Here I tried "foccacia" and "pesto" and they are both the love of my life. And believe me, until you try one of the ice-creams here, you didn't try a real ice-cream at all.

Food is in general more expensive in supermarkets or if you go to a restaurant, unless you eat pizza or pasta that here are cheapest products.

When we go out for dinner (tapas are not available) we order appetizers in places where you just pay the cocktail (5 to 10 euros) and they offer a wide variety of food, I recommend the places that offer buffet.

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Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Genoa?

To find an apartment, we contacted an agency before we arrived and we were lucky that that same night we arrived we were able to sleep in the flat. Butfor too many of my friends, it costs too much to find one and they spent many days in the hostel the university offers (and to be honest is not really nice because the area where it's situated is really far). I would recommend to contact with people who is already there (like us) this year, so you could occupied the flats we have. You can contact with an agency but that should be your last option, in this way you would save a lot of money.

How much does it cost to live in Genoa?

Our rent is 250-300€, you can find cheaper flats but also more expensive ones if you aren't fast.

How is the language? Do your university have available courses?

The language for a Spanish speaker is really difficult. When I arrived I have no clue about Italian language, I'm here for 2 months and now I can deal with it easily. But if it's possible for you to learn a little Italian before you arrive that's would be awesome. The university provides you a language course, I'm not attending to it, but is quite good.

What is most economical way to go to Genoa from your city?

I'm from Almería. I took a flight from Málaga to Milano Bergamo, to go and return I would recommend to take the offer that Iberia provides for Erasmus students, with that one you can bring two suitcases of 30g (together) with you and also your handbag and that was very cheap.

Which places would you recommend to go out in Genoa?

Erasmus parties which are organized by ESN Genoa are really fun, but the pubs where the parties are organized aren't that nice... but you will have a lot of fun for sure. (Barrakunda, Banano, Casa Mía... ).

Also, a lot of clubs here organize events from time to time with quite popular dj's (Storile or Mako).

If you like reggae music, dancehall, raggamuffin, there is a series of social houses and they bring really good people (dj's) and in this style there are really cheap party houses.

We drink in "piazza Ferrari" and "piazza delle Erbe". In "Erbe" is located San Donato street which is full of pubs, clubs, and sometimes reminds me to the Pedro Antonio street (for those of you who came from Granada).

And to eat? Can you tell your favorite spots?

Amazing and cheap pizza and pasta in a pizza place next to plaza de la Victoria under the archs.

Appetizers:

- Anywhere in piazza del erbe.

- Via San vicenzo (6 euros and it's the best for me).

- Ferrari el Historico (6 euros buffet)

- Via Ravecca, you can find vegetarian places and really nice restaurants.

Coffee is available in every cafe and it's really good.

And what about cultural places?

- Important streets (Cairoli or Garibaldi) with palaces turned into museums.

- Via Balbi and the real palace.

- Piazza Ferrari.

- Antico harbour

- San Lorenzo church

- Santa Maria Assunta Carignano cathedral

- Hiking tours through Parco delle Mura

- Via XX september (shopping street)

- Plaza de la victoria and its arch

- Castello de Albertis, the enjoy the sunny weather with your meal and the view

Is there any advice you can give to the students who will go to Genoa in the future?

You should know that the bus service is not free, you have to buy tickets of 100 minutes at the newsstands that you can find in the streets. If you don't buy them, be aware of the ticket collectors (blue t-shirt) and try to avoid to be fined.

Economic supermarkets: Lidl (close to Ikea) or Inns (few around Genoa).