Erasmus Experience in Košice, Slovakia by Pilar

Why did you choose to come to Košice, Slovakia?

All of the classes are in English, even the ones in the hospital. It's a cheap destination and they make it very easy to take classes from different courses.

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

My stay lasted 10 months and I got a grant from the government for €1, 500 for the whole year.

What is the student lifestyle like in Košice?

There are three different universities, which makes it quite a university city. What I like most about my faculty is how international it is, meaning, there's a group of Slovakian people and another group of international people, which is the group the Erasmus students go with. So all of your friends end up being from different places and you feel really good surrounded by international people.

Would you recommend the city and the university of Košice to other students?

Yes, absolutely.

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What is the food like there?

I love the traditional dishes here. The food here usually comes with a soup (to warm you up). My favourite dish is haluskys, they're a lot like gnocchis. Besides, there are some really good restaurants, which are really cheap so going out to eat doesn't just have to be a luxury.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Košice?

No, the UPJS (my university) put all of the Erasmus students up at the Mei hostel for €160 a month for a private room and €88 a month for a shared room. You have a bathroom, a shower and a balcony in every room. The kitchen is shared between everyone on the floor and there are only three washing machines in the entire hostel (that's the biggest downside that I can think of). The flats there are more expensive from what I've seen on some of the adverts around, but I haven't actually looked for a flat.

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How much does it cost to live in Košice?

• Accommodation with light and water bills included: €160 a month
• Internet: €20 a month for the router. I shared it so I paid €10.
• Public transport: €0. 30 per journey and it takes half an hour to change (between the bus and the tram, too)
• A taxi to get home after a night out: €3-4
• Club entry: €2-5
• Shopping at the supermarket: similar prices as in Spain
• Restaurants: you can have a really good meal in a restaurant for €7-8

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

I didn't get on very well with Slovak at all, I didn't go on any course. You'll get by speaking English at the faculty and with young people in general, but older people don't speak it at all.

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What is the cheapest or easiest way to get to Košice from your home city?

They usually have very cheap flights to Budapest with Wizzair from Madrid, Malaga or Barcelona. From there you can take the train to Košice for €20 a return ticket, it takes three and a half hours.

Another option is to go to Bratislava, and from there the train to Košice takes 5-6 hours. This year, train travel throughout Slovakia is free for students, but tickets normally cost around €13.

Finally, there are direct flights to Košice from London, with Wizzair, too. You can easily find a flight from Spain to London for €25.

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

Jazz club, retro, diamond, Ibiza... and for a couple of beers: colleseum and the beer house.

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And to eat in Košice? What are some of your places to go?

Camelot is really good. But for a quick bite to eat, go to Big Pizza without a doubt; you can get slices of pizza for €0. 50 and they're open all night, too.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

If you have a chance to visit the center, which is very nice, you should go to see something at the opera (a ballet, a play, an opera... ). It has a great programme and the tickets only cost €2-4.

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Do you have any advice for students coming to Košice in the future?

Live in a residence, it's the best!