Erasmus Experience in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Elena

Why did you choose to go to Ljubljana, Slovenia?

Actually, I chose Ljubljana because it was the only place that my home university offered to me for 10 months and with courses in English. Also because Slovenia was a totally different country from mine and I thought that it was going to be a real different experience! And now I can say that I was right!

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

My scholarship is for 10 month and I receive about 300€/month to help my life here.

What is the student lifestyle like in Ljubljana?

I think that it is like all the other Erasmus destinations... The Erasmus lifestyle is awesome! You are never alone, you are always sharing good moments with the other Erasmus people and also with the locals. But I have to say that in Ljubljana you have to do things for the university. I have always heard that all the Erasmus students don't do anything but, in my opinion, Ljubljana is not one of these places. You have to study but, for sure, you have time for everything! And, of course, not everything is study! (65% social life, 35% study).

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

Definitely yeeeeeeees! For me, is one of the best Erasmus destinations! It's an university city and all the things are thought for the students, from transport to food!

What is the food like?

The food is not really special. In Ljubljana there are a lot of restaurants but almost all of them offer you international dishes (Mexican, Italian, Asian... ). It's really hard to find a restaurant where you can order typical Slovenian food. But it doesn't mean that you can't eat varied!

The goverment give a subsidy for all the students: the "student coupons" or "student meals". It is a system that works like that: you have to go to the student office with your cellphone (Slovenian number) and they activate the system in your phone. From this moment you have more or less 23 coupons per month. This coupons mean that you can go to eat in almost all the restaurants in Ljubljana and pay at most 4, 37€. Each meal means one coupon less. You can use this system everyday from 8 am to 8 pm but you have to leave 4 hours between each meal.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Ljubljana?

No, it didn't. When you do your application form for the university you can choose between different options about accomodation. I chose "student dormitories" and it was the best idea I have never had! I totally reccomend you. But if you don't want to live in dormitories there are a lot of people who want to share flats, but normally you are going to share room in the flat because it is going to be cheaper.

For sure, the best option is to live in the dormitory (sharing room) but it's the cheapest option and the best way to meet people!

How much does it cost to live in Ljubljana?

If you live in a dormitory, you are going to pay more or less 95€/month for the accommodation. 5-10€/month for the mobile phone (free sms, free minutes and data with si.mobil company), 20€/month for the bus (if you need to take the bus) and more or less 3'5 euros/meal.

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

Definitely not. For me is one of the most difficult languages ever. For Slovakians, Croatians, Serbians and Bosnian people is easier but for all the other it is really difficult, at least for the people who speak Latin languages.

There is an organisation call SOU that offer some different language courses. Also you can apply for a intensive course of Slovenian, it is like another scholarship. I did it and I arrived one month earlier than the beginning of the lessons at the university and it was the best month until now. At the end of the course you have to pass an exam (everyone pass it) and you get 300€.

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

From the south of Spain the best way is to take a flight from Malaga to Venice (Treviso) with Ryanair and then you have to take a minibus to Ljubljana with GoOpti or a bus with DRD company. This is the easiest one.

The cheapest one is to fly from Malaga to London and then London to Ljubljana with Easyjet or Seville to Brussels with Ryanair and then Brussels to Ljubljana with Wizzair.

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

• Monday: Parlament Pub/ Nebotičnik Skyscraper
• Tuesday: Top Six
• Wednesday: Brooklyn
• Thursday: Compañeros
• Friday: Metelkova
• Saturday: Cirkus
• Sunday: Relax and enjoy your room!

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

• Cantina Mexicana - Recommended "Enchilada Suiza"
• Dabuda - Recommended "Yellow curry chicken" and "Chicken with Teriyaki Sauce"
• Evropa - Recommended "Steak with pepper sauce"
• River - Recommended "Fried Calamari"
• Thai Inn - Recommended "Pat thai noodles with chicken"
• Surf n Fries - Recommended "Veliki Surf n Fries with Origano sauce and Mediterran sauce" (End of party nights)
• Kebab 0'87€
• Chinese Buffet
• Italian restaurant next to Cirkus - Recommended "Meat Lasagna"
• Illy (Trubarjeva) - Recommended " Classic sandwiches + Cacao + Dessert"

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Ljubljana there are some museums and expositions that you can visit but the best thing is to walk around the centre and visit the Ljubljanski grad (Castle of Ljubljana). You can also visit some towns next to Ljubljana like Bled, Bohinj, Postojna, Maribor, Novo Mesto, Kobarid, Soča river. And, for sure, you have to visit the Triglav Natural Park!

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

Yes, there is... enjoy, enjoy every minute you have because this only happen once in your life and it is the most beautiful and awesome experience that you can ever live!