Erasmus Experience in Košice, Slovakia by Tiana

What is the student lifestyle like in Košice?

The student lifestyle is great! I have made amazing friends, which I wouldn't want to live without. The student body diversity is huge, which makes it so much fun here. Once you have made friends, Košice is a great entertainment place and you will have a lot of fun like going clubbing, attending housepartys (the best housepartys I have been to were the ones in Košice! ), bowling, ice skating, skiing, hiking, hip hop dancing, trampolining … You name it, we can do it!

Also, Slovakians are really nice and super friendly, so you might end up making friends with someone born in Košice and they will easily take you into their opened arms and show you around. Fun never ends here :)

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Košice?

No, it did not. We went on the Facebook group 'Košice-Flats for Rent' and found a beautiful 4 bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms and a kitchen, furnitured, including heating, wifi and electricity and for just 700€ a month. Living costs are really low and the apartments for rent are usually renovated and furnitured.

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How much does it cost to live in Košice?

I get 400€ a month and I can easily live with that, including bills for free-time adventures! Also, Taxis are really cheap (2-5€ max), so I can go out and drink a lot, leave the club and have only spent 10€ including Taxi costs. The food is cheaper than in most western-european countries, and if you want to go out for dinner, you usually don't spend anymore than 15€ and you've had a feast!

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

The University makes you attend 3 hours of language course a week but also give you an option to come to the 'Slovak meeting' on Fridays. I have learned German, English, Spanish French and a bit of Russian and am actually struggling with it but If you take the time to learn two words everyday you will get grip, I guess. But then again: everyone's different.

So no. In my opinion, it is harder than other languages but the Slovakians are very understandable in the matter of foreigners not speaking their language, so they will try and help you out if you get stuck.

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

Jazz Club, Noise, Villa Casa, and Bars around Hlavna, but the best way to meet Slovakians and People from UPJS would be Colloseum! Great place and always fun people to hang out with around!

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

The student's personal favourite would be Camelot, Villa Regia, Andiamo, Med Malina and this amazing Burger place in the park close to Stefanikova and Fresh Supermarket (best Burgers around Košice!)