Guillermo's Erasmus Experience in Naples

¿Why did you choose to go to Naples in Italy?

It is a cheap and charming city with a lot of Erasmus students.

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How long does you grant last for? How much money will you receive?

My grant lasts for 6 months although I would like to extend it to 10 because I love this city. I don’t want to say the exact amount of money I receive because it is very small.

What is the student atmosphere like in Naples?

Well, there is a vibrant student atmosphere but the level of teaching leaves much to be desired. There is an air of unprofessionalism, teachers arrive late for classes or don’t attend at all. But in the end this is useful for Erasmus students and teachers as it makes everything easier.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Naples to other students

Without a doubt. As I have already mentioned, the city is cheap and has a great vibe. Each week the Naples Erasmus club organizes events and trips like tandem classes, trips to cities, visits to museums, parties and drinking in large groups outside (although here ice is scarce so it’s best to drink at home).

There are various universities in Naples, I go to the Naples Academy of Fine Art. It is very beautiful and if you can speak English or a bit of Italian then you can easily cope there.

How is the country’s food?

The food here is the best I’ve ever tried. If you want to come here without putting on weight then you are going to find life hard because there are so many market stalls and whole pizzas for just €3 which are the best I have ever had.

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¿Was it hard to find accommodation in Naples?

Like everyone, I didn’t find the process easy. Luckily, I had already picked a flat by the time I arrived, other people initially stay at a hostel until they find a place. For some people it only took them 2 days to find something, for others it took more than a week. It’s a question of how much commitment you put into it, although don’t think that the flats here are all new and well-furnished. But generally, you find one that you like and you grow attached to it. Most people stay at the following hostels: Art hostel (close to restaurant Pizza Bellini, behind the fine arts academy) and Pizza hostel. However, there is a hotel on Duomo Street where the cathedral is which only costs around €19/20 a night and is much more comfortable than a hostel and only costs €3 more. It’s called Des Arriates.

How much does it cost to live in Naples?

It costs between €220-300 a month, depending on the flat and included bills like internet. If you rent a shared room it comes out cheaper although barely anyone wants to share a room. Apparently, it is more expensive in other cities in Italy.

¿How is your Italian? Have you done a language course?

At the start it is hard work but little by little although you don’t notice it, you start to pick up more and more and people can also understand you better. In my university we were given a very brief, though useful, course which just consisted in teaching us the tenses and how to conjugate verbs.

¿What is the cheapest way of getting to Naples from your city?

I am from Murcia so the cheapest option for me was to catch a flight from Alicante to Rome or Naples, transferring in Barcelona. If you buy a plane ticket well in advance you can save quite a bit of money.

What places would you recommend to go out and party in Naples?

The best known place is Bellini square, every day there are Erasmus students there. In Italy drinking on the street is legal so people tend to buy beer in the bars in front of the square and drink there. There are also pubs in the port area as well as in Chiaia, close to Castel Dell’ Ovo. There are other squares like Domenico Maggiore. Close to this square there is another one called Queste which is very similar to Bellini but more family orientated and also cheaper if you want to have something to eat or drink. It is also known as Orientale square as behind it is L’Orientale University.

What are your favourite places to eat out In Naples?

The spots around Bellini and Cavour square are good, also on Tribunali street there are a lot of restaurants and stalls, although as its more touristic you can notice the difference in price compared to other places in the city. Having said that, on Tribunali street there is an affordable pizzeria called Sorbillo which is one of the best in Naples. On Duomo street there is the pizzeria Il Figlio Del Presidente which sells a margherita pizza for €3 (don’t be fooled by the sign which says €4). They also have kebabs for €3.

And the must see cultural points of interest?

Napoli has a rich culture with lots of different strains. One example is the chaotic traffic system, people cross the road wherever and 3 people often ride one motorcycle and the police don’t bash an eyelid, I guess they’re used to it. There are a lot of Pakistanis, with corner shops, Albanese, Indians and Thais also. As for students there are many Spaniards and Turks as well as German and English… Naples has a lot of monuments and beautiful churches. There are also the towns of Pompei and Ercolano which are crucial to understanding Naples and the South of Italy. The catacombs are also very interesting.

Any piece of advice for future students living in Naples?

You have to be careful because there is quite a lot of crime in some deprived neighbourhoods in Naples.

Like any city in the world, maybe you get robbed once or maybe you spend 4 years living there and avoid it. If you mostly hang out in Erasmus areas like Tribunalli, Domenico Maggiore or Bellini then you are unlikely to have any problems because there are people there at all times of the day.