An unforgettable year in Messina, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Messina, Italy?

I chose Messina, because I knew that I wanted to go to Italy for my Erasmus, for the people, for the "weather" (which wasn't actually that great for an island in the Mediterranean), and, of course, because it's easy to pass the courses there.

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How much grant money did you get?

The grant was for 9 months and I received around €4, 000 in total for the whole course. It really depends on the region you're from in Spain.

What is the student lifestyle in Spain?

I have to say that Messina isn't an Erasmus destination which is known for it's nightlife and atmosphere. If that is what you're looking for, you won't find it here. It all depends on what approach you and your group take to living there.

As for the student lifestyle at the university, Italians are great people, they always help you with whatever they can, although there are some exceptions. In general, the university does a lot to help you out, so you won't have any problems when it comes to getting along with others studying there. Although, I must say that the students, depending on the faculty, get very competitive with each other (not with Erasmus students) and in exam time, they disappear to study to get the highest grade, and this makes up a large part of the year as there are up to 6 exams throughout the course.

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

It was easy, it won't be hard to pick up at all. The university offers a course (CLAM) that I would really recommend you take, you learn and have a good time doing it. If you go for the minimum number of hours, you can take an exam and, if you pass, they will give you a accreditation of your language level. Even though it isn't valid in Spain, it's a proof that you passed the course and you can include it on your CV.

What is the food like there?

As you well know, it's very good. They have thousands of types of pasta and pizza and I'll leave it and just say that the supermarkets have an entire aisle dedicated to pasta of all shapes and types. They really like chocolate and sweet things there. So you'll definitely gain a few kilos here, just like we all did.

I especially recommend you try the things that are typical of Messina, like canolis, granita with cream and brioche, arancini, try all the different kinds of ice cream that tempt you, they are all amazing (settebelli, pistacchio, crema di nocciola... ).

You'll miss Spanish food, especially tapas and having a beer on a terrace.

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

I would recommend the city, because it has pretty much everything you need, apart from partying.

I'd recommend the university, too, although it seems like things go at a snail's pace, everything will work out in the end. As a general rule 80% of the the professors love Erasmus students, but it depends on the faculty, I speak from the perspective of case-law.

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What's the easiest way to travel to Messina from your city?

The cheapest way to get there from Spain, specifically from Andalucia, is by flying from Madrid to Catania, that way you'll then have to get a bus for €9. 30, which takes you to Messina. Another option is to go from Palermo to Seville, although it's a bit more of a hassle to get to Palermo from Messina. I don't know of any other way.

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

There are some places that have an agreement with the ESN (Erasmus Student Network), so you can get in free and they're not bad places (Retro on Wednesdays and Officina on Fridays). Then, there are also some pubs around the port that aren't bad at all and that put on concerts pretty often. The problem with the nightlife here is that everything closes at 3 am. Although, people get together and put on music at the cathedral when the weather is good, it's pretty good fun with the €1 beers you can get from the bar near the square.

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Advice for future students in Messina

Everyone says it but make the most of the experience, it goes over so quickly. You won't regret it, even though Messina isn't the best Erasmus destination, the most important thing is how you approach it yourself.

You'll end up loving it and hating it at the same time. The days you really don't want to do anything at all are the days you have to get our there and have fun, do whatever takes your fancy in the moment, don't leave without seeing everything in Sicily (travel around the whole island, especially when the weather is good), enjoy its beaches, its landscapes, its cuisine...

Although Sicily is a bit behind the times compared to Spain, look on the positive side of this, you'll appreciate how good we have it in Spain without even realising. The weather isn't what you'd expect from a typical island in the Mediterranean, from November to March, you're not likely to see much of the sun, it's cloudy and rainy every day, but when you do get some sun, it gets hot.

In short, it's an experience that I would happily live out again and again.