Erasmus Experience in Napoli, Italy by dajana

Why did you choose to go to Napoli, Italy?

I meet many people from Naples, and waited to come here last 4 years. I heard so many beautiful stories about this city. Now when I'm here, I can't imagine myself in any other place. I'm trying to stay here and after my Erasmus.

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

My scholarship lasts 4 months. Naples is such a wonderful city, full of traditional, historical and cultural heritage. So if you want to enjoy it and live it in full sense of meaning, you will need more money. But, don't worry, even without much money you can live good. And see many places, for example first Sunday in every month, there is free entrance in museums, Pompeii, Vesuvius and other cultural places. Also with Erasmus organizations, specially

Erasmusland you will have many discounts so use them!

What is the student lifestyle like in Napoli?

I would say that for us Erasmus is much easier. Also, Erasmusland Napoli is taking care of us, people there are doing as much as they can to make our Erasmus experience to remember, and they are doing this as volunteers. Contact them on Facebook before you arrive, and you will see how much effort they put to make these days memorable for us (organizing party nights, organizing free visits to historical and cultural landmarks, sport events, dinners, tandem night for exchanging culture and knowledge about languages of other Erasmus, and many other events). This city is full of life and they are doing as much as possible for you to feel it, also sometimes you wont be able to go to University because you will sleep after party or something. But dont worry, you are Erasmus, you are more "privileged" and professors will forgive you. Be aware that Italians (and Napolitans) are never on time, except if you specifically mention and say that you want them to be on time. They are always late 10 minutes at least.

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

Of course I would recommend Naples. To those who want to come here, I would just say: dont think negative, because positive things here are much stronger. This town has much to offer you, so take it. Enjoy this city when you come, and accept all good and bad things, but focus on good! Enjoy as much as possible. And even before you realise, you will be in love with Napoli.

What is the food like?

Food is delicious. If you want to try pizza, Sorbillo is the best! Then pizzeria Michelle try pasta e patate con provola in Antica trattoria Da Nennella-its perfect!

You need to try their ragu (ragu has to be prepared one day earlier ), arrancini are originally from Sicillia but they taste so goooood! Try all their specialities and you will be delighted (as you can see I'm under their spell).

Sweets and cakes: babà, sfogliatelle, cannoli, nuovoli, zeppole di san giuseppe, grafa and many others.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Napoli?

No. You can ask staff of Erasmusland Napoli to help you for free, or you search groups of renting apartments here in Facebook. I would recommend Historical centre, because its the center of student life. Be careful, when you come you will have to pay deposit for accommodation!

How much does it cost to live in Napoli?

I would say it depends. Costs of renting are very expencive, but it also depends from zone you are living. It can be from 200/250€+bills and more.

If you are economical and you know how to deal with money and euro, i think around 600/700€ a month would be enough (for girls who like to shopping, here will be hard to save money).

If you think you wont have enough money, dont worry, you can always find some job as a student here. Just dont let this "having enough money" preoccupation to take away your motivation to come to Napoli. Come! Use this opportunity!

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

I studied Italian, so its easy for me. But University offers free courses (here are many different Universities so each one of them has courses). It's important that you take those courses and try to speak italian, not just because they are bad with english, but because you will enrich your soul.

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

I had to take plane to Rome, then with train to Naples.

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

Erasmus and student life are in historical centre. If you never been in Italy you would be surprised that they meet and spend time in front of bars, pubs, and on squares. The most popular is Piazza Bellini. Oh, I already miss it!

If you are not habituate to this, dont worry, you will be and you will start to like it! And after you will go to clubs (around 1 or 2am). Meeting at Piazza is best way to meet new people because atmosphereis more relaxed.

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

• Pizzeria Sorbillo,
• Pizzeria Michele,
• Trattoria Da Nennella

If you like sushi etc go to Zen. This restaurant is great because you can take whole menu, as much you can eat and everything you want to eat for just 14€.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are many of them, do research on google then ask people from Erasmusland Napoli to help you or to organize some trip to place you want to see, they will be happy to help you to see all beauty of their town.

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

Enjoy. Enjoy it, every day is unique and grab this opportunity to live your life on maximum. Don't be scared. But be careful, boys-you must follow girls to home in the late night. Girls dont go home alone and buy pepper spray (just to feel more protected). Take care of your mobile and money. If you are drunk, it would be easier to steal it. Dont take expensive things with you if you are going out to some party.

I said it for precautions, but Naples is beautiful town, so I'm sure that you will enjoy it and love it. If you have any doubt, dont worry, you will lose it after spending one week here. Maybe it will be difficult to habituate and you will feel sad because you are far from the world you lived in before, but it will be just a short period. Think positive and be open-minded, meet new people and don't come to them with prejudice. Naples will make you feel full of life! After 2 weeks here, you will feel like your life before Naples didn't exist, and its good. Enjoy in it!

(Sorry for mistakes while writing, but I have written in a hurry, I don't want to miss this beautiful sunny day)