Erasmus life in Lecce

Why did you go to Lecce for Erasmus?

I decided to go to Lecce because I knew that I wanted to go to Italy and specifically the south because of the climate and culture but also for academic reasons when it comes to recognition. And in the south of Italy, I liked Lecce for being a small city, very pretty artistically speaking and it's spectacular coast.

How to you get to Lecce? And what are it's connections like?

The only flight that is basically direct from Spain, is from Valencia-Bari (Approximately 1 hour to Lecce with good connections). For the rest of Spain, you could say that the route to follow is to fly to Rome and then from Rome to Brindisi (30 minutes to Lecce by bus). My personal route has always been from Seville-Rome and Rome-Brindisi.

Although you can't say that Lecce is the most well connected European city, but it isn't so bad either. From the nearest airports. Brindisi and Bari, you can catch a cheap flight to the rest of Italy and Europe to do the typical, crazy Erasmus escapes.

How is the student atmosphere in Lecce?

Don't expect the atmosphere or the pubs like big European capitals, or the Spanish party culture. I'll explain; the atmosphere in Lecce can be found in the S area. Chiara and its pubs are mainly on the street. (almost a free way, it is not wrong to have street parties or drink your beer in the amphitheater while dancing to to the beat of your speakers). There are clubs, but they are outside the city. Are you going to have fun? Yes of course, because you are on Erasmus and you will be taken care of with the rest of Erasmus students and with he help of Erasmus organisations, putting on street parties and conquering some bar. The fun depends on you. Saying that, its coast in the Gallipoli area, scores it a lot of points, parties here are guaranteed to be fun. You will want to have a good time.

Do you recommend the city of the University of Salento?

I would recommend it. If you are looking for a small city, where you can develop your personal erasmus experience as much as possible, this is your place. But why is that? Because being a small city and with not a very high volume of Erasmus students in the university, around 130 in my year, you will end up meeting up together and creating personal connections. At the same time, the people that work for the Erasmus organisations, have very personal relationships with you. This clashes if your idea is to go to a big European metropolis, which will give you better possibilities as a city but the human connections won't be as strong.

That said, Lecce as a city is very beautiful, in its old town and the center. The rest does not shine for its beauty but we could say that about a lot of cities. It is a very southern city, but it is very cleans and definitely respected by others. The closeness to it's spectacular coast, gains it a lot of points.

In terms of the University, you with have to fight a little bit on the topic of paperwork and study agreements but it ends up being at the level of validations which is equally as difficult in almost all of Italy. Also, depending on the subject and the teacher, always taking into account, the typical and logical facilities that an erasmus student has.

How is the food there?

Italian gastronomy is the most well known. Particularly the south is famous for it. The myth that they only eat pasta and pizza has some truth, and being an Erasmus student you will enjoy it as well but from time to time, you will miss your mother or grandmothers Spanish cooking.

If you like it, you will not mind eating pasta and pizza for next to nothing.

There is quite a typical Leccese gastronomy, for example "Rustico" and "pasticciotto"...

There will not be an issue with the food.

What about accommodation?

My advise is to not go with your accommodation already arranged, unless you have been given advise from someone who already lives there because it is not uncommon for Italian landlords to mislead you with the conditions of the apartment.

Don't worry because the erasmus organisation will provide you with a bed and breakfast and from there you can look for a flat which will take a few days.

The price is normally average, rather cheap compared to the north of Italy. The average comes to about 200 euro plus bills.

How are the prices in general?

The cost of living is medium-low. You can fill the fridge from a reasonably priced shop, by going to the Erasmus supermarket called Eurospin. To go out for something to eat there is also well priced, there are a lot of pizzerias and similar things at a good price. You can go out for a drink for 2 euros... but hey, you are an Erasmus student and you will end up minimizing expenses and having street party's, but don't fool yourself either.

Is the language easy to get to grips with?

I previously did an A1 level course in Italian and I can say that I arrived knowing basically nothing, and this lasted the season because of the bad habit of always coming together with those of your own nationality. But it is true that it is very similar to spanish and you end up learning it end if you insist on not doing it. Don't worry about the language and try to focus a little on connecting with Italians and practice it... and everything will be perfect.

The university of Salento also offers Italian courses, according to your level.

What to visit in Lecce

The center of Lecce is full of monuments and things to see, you will end up getting used to walking among them, here is a short lit of some of them:

-Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae and Porta Biagio; are the three gates to the historic centre.

- El Duomo and its square; is the cathedral and its square is beautiful.

- The Roman amphitheater; one of the icons of Lecce and its main square. Beautiful, you will make a life there.

- Piazza Sant"Oronzo: the main square and icon of the city.

- The surrounding towns; Otranto, Gallipoli, Alberobello, Polignano a mare...

- Its beaches: Le Maldive del Salento, Gallipoli...

Do you recommend anywhere to go out to eat in Lecce?

Very varied, you can eat almost anywhere but we limit ourselves to places that suit the Erasmus life.

You can eat good pizza and piadinas in almost any place.

For example, you have erasmus menus with a meal (generally pizza) and a drink for 5 euro in Negra Tomasa and Obelisco.

Are there any good places to go on a night out?

Your meeting point will be Piazza S. Chiara and its pubs and cocktail bars. There are places with a wide variety of beers and cocktails for 2 euros.

You can also occasionally go to the clubs outside the city.

In the summer Salento parties fill the coast. I recommend Samsara Beach in Gallipoli among others.

Do you have some advice for future Erasmus students in Lecce?

- Do all of the paperwork when you arrive and as soon as possible: National insurance number...

- The bus to the Ecotekne campus is the number 27 express. (You can only get a bus pass for this line in the bus station).

- Rent a car and visit all its surrounding towns and coast.

- Try to get to know every corner of Lecce.

Don't complain about what the city lacks and make the most of your Erasmus which will be the best experience of your life.

- Ah! And keep an eye on the cheap flights from Brindisi and Bari to make quick trips to Europe and Italy.

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