Erasmus Experience in Novara, Italy by Iro

Why did you choose to go to Novara, Italy?

I choosed Italy because it's a country near to mine that I really like and I also knew some Italian before I went there. Novara was a choise of me and my professor because there was a lab there that I could do some very important experiments for my thesis.

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

My scholarship was 4 months more or less and I received from my University the amount of 1200euros. I have to say that the money was not really enough because I could not stay in the residences (they are in Vercelli) and I rented an appartment with two other girls and the rent was something more than 300euros.

What is the student lifestyle like in Novara?

I can't say for sure because I didn't socialize very much, I was spending a lot of time in the lab. But for these that I know there were parties organized for the erasmus students and other parties in the local bars. Generaly Novara is a very small town where the locals have closing time around 7pm. Though it's close to lots of nice places like Turin, Milan, Como, Arona, Genova if someone would like to visit.

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

The city of Novara is not something special but fortunately the University and especially the department of Biotechnology where I was is really good.

What is the food like?

The food was nice. Locals advised me to try some pizza that it was good and very cheap. Also I would recomend "gniocchi con gorgonzola", "pasta with ragu", a local soup called "rebollita" and of course I would recomend to try eating to the chinese restaurants there. Furthermore I think twice a year a street food caravan arrives in town with local food from Italy that it's something to remember.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Novara?

As I said before I couldn't stay to the residences of Vercelli. As far as I know there are residences also in Novara but there was no room available at the time. Vercelli is very close (15mins by train) and lots of students stay there. Though they told me that if I chose to stay there I had to sare the same room with an other student. When I decided to stay in Novara I contacted with the University and the person that is responsible for the erasmus students and he helped me very much to find an appartment.

How much does it cost to live in Novara?

The appartment that I was sharing with those two other girls costed around 300euros per month and the gas-electricity-cleaning etc costed around 150 for all my accomodation there. Also the supermarket costed me around 100euros per month.

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

Of course there are language courses at the University and there are also courses in English. For big surprise all the Italian Universities have the choise to apply to native speaking courses or English. Though I think it is very helpfull for someone to know italian because almost none in Italy speaks English.

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

From Greece I travelled by plane to Milan and then by train to Novara. If you choose the airport of Bergamo there are buses there that take you to the train station of Milan. If you choose the airport of Malpensa you can take the train to Busto Arsizio (final destination Milano P. G. ) and then the train to Novara. I think the best way is the second one.

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

For sure I would recommend the Irish pub.

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

Surely the Chinese restaurants and the burgers to Irish pub but you have to be prepared that they are kind of expensive.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Turin, Milan, Genova, Arona, Alessandria, Como lake and all the lakes that are very close. Also it's very close to Switzerland.

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

Try to socialize so you can have some fun there, be prepared for a very cold winter and a very hot summer, visit all the cities around and try to learn some italian before going there.