Erasmus Experience in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Mahdyar

Why did you choose to go to Ljubljana, Slovenia?

to be honest, Slovenia and Ljubljana was not the first ranked place on my priority list, but I felt in love with this city. I choose Ljubljana because of my professor how is well-known in the world's academic communities in the field of my study.

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

0

What is the student lifestyle like in Ljubljana?

Ljubljana is a perfect city for students. there are a lot of facilities for students here. cheap food, student coupons for food (acceptable in most of the restaurants) and bus. student parties, erasmus events, surfing, camping and everything would be really cheap for students.
most of the professors are really kind and rational with erasmus students, its a great point and a motivation to keep going on the rest of your internship/erasmus period.

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

unquestionably! YES.

What is the food like?

Since, i'm a food lover (specifically full-spicy dishes) slovenian cuisine is not really fit on my taste. Most of the slovenian food have a kind of plane taste, no spicy. So if you are a fan of pure taste of meat or vegetable without any spicy of course you gonna like it. otherwise, you can enjoy Balkan and Mediterranean cuisine in Ljubljana, as I do. they are flavorful and delicious, specially the balkan meats are spicy and very tasty.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Ljubljana?

you can search by yourself in several webpages and pay nothing(as i did). otherwise you should pay one month of rent (at least 100-150 EUR) to the agency to find an accommodation.

How much does it cost to live in Ljubljana?

its not easy to live here with less than 600 EUR, if you like to live in the center, having your own room and make a bit fun around your student life. But still you can find dormitories and cheap flats to live, that is really important to save your money, in the case around 400-500 EUR would be ok.

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

the language is not easy at all, but you feel like no need to learn slovenian, because all the people, young, old, cashier, waiter, postman, officers, everyone can speak english (at least english). beside, you'll see a lot of local people how knows fluently german, spanish and italian.
and then, yes there is a free basic slovenian course for erasmus student. its good to attend.

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

the ONLY way is Airplane ;)

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

there are several clubs that already known as erasmus clubs, like Companeros, Parlement, K4 and always Metelkova comes with surprises.

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

Das ist valter (bosnian restaurant), pizzeria Foculus, cantina Mexican restaurant, nobel burek

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Ljubljana Castle, Bled lake, also museums (to be honest its really really boring question, because everyone can google it and find more nice and famous places to visit in Ljubljana). but if you want really see their culture just go to the center, walk along the Ljubljana river, chill out in the plenty Cafes and talk with nice, kind, open and cool sloveninan people. they have unique cafe culture!

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

- come after winter (winter sometimes comes really boring and cold)
- Ljubljana is really safe city, just watchha your bike. the only stolen object in Ljubljana is bike ;)
- its good to chillax in macek bar on the river side of the city center
- try italian winery in "pod trančo" (in the center), you can find good cheap wine always there and also a kind italian sell man how can talk, drink and try wines for hours with him.
- during summer every night there are several cultural events around the city, its a gift for a small town like Ljubljana, because you never get bored !!
- there is free library membership, cheap (or even free) gym and swimming pool for students, you can signup and simply use them.
- and finally, I'm pretty sure everyone comes to Ljubljana will be love this city. most of my erasmus friends, back again and again to visit Ljubljana, or they extend their internship or back to find a job to stay here.