Erasmus and life in Padova

Maybe when you visit, in the list of cities to choose for your Erasmus, a place called Padova, you had no idea where it was located or what city it was. This is normal since it is located in one of the richest regions economically and culturally speaking in all of Italy: El Veneto, where, before Padova, cities such as Verona or Venice.

This does not mean that it is a town with a large population (around 215,000 inhabitants), one of the most important universities in Europe and an enviable cultural and heritage wealth, as well as a strong and unique identity.

As many of these things you will have already looked at yourself on wikipedia, I will tell you from my Erasmus experience (first semester of the 2017-2018 academic year) all those little things that we all worry about before leaving Erasmus or when choosing a city.

• Geographical situation
• Weather
• University and university life
• Accommodation
• Food
• How is the city
• Transport
• Party

Geographical location

As I said before, Padova is located in the centre of the Veneto region, located in the north east of Italy. It is strategically located near several of the most important and tourist cities, as well as charming ones in the country. (Train time)

• 30 minutes from Venice
• 1 hour from Verona
• 1h to Ferrara
• 1h from Bologna
• 1h and 40 minutes from Florence
• 2h from Milan
• 2h and 15 minutes from Treviso
• 3h to Turin
• 4h from Genoa
• 4h from Rome

It is also close to coastal areas and beaches that you don't want to miss, such as the Lido di Venezia, Jesolo, Cavallino, etc., and mountain and forest areas such as the Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei, Bassano del Grappa, Trento, Bolzano, etc.

Weather

I think that is the only negative point that I am going to give to our city.

• Extremely cold months: November, December, January, February and the beginning of March.
• Extremely hot months: June, July and August.
• Months of pleasant temperature: Late March, April, May, September and October.

Unfortunately for the Erasmus students of the first four-month period, we have had to suffer temperatures below freezing, the odd snow and especially days and days without seeing the Sun, since a characteristic of the Padova winters is the fog.

On the other hand, the summer in Padova is also extremely hot and humid.

University and university environment

Padova University was the third university that was founded worldwide (after Bologna and Paris). This has given it great recognition and prestige in all areas, being one of the best universities in Europe.

The university has almost all existing degree programs, and a large campus covering throughout the city centre and the area called "Portello", also close to the center, and mainly residential for students, area of faculties, as well as numerous walking areas, green areas and rest areas.

If Padova is known for something, it is for its large number of host students, both Italian and foreign, which makes the city a youthful area, fully adapted to students and full of life.

Wherever you go you will see young people, thousands of street shows, activities to do and even political gatherings and debates on the street.

I have to say, it is a demanding university. Surely you study much less than in your country, but I am sorry to tell you that, even so, you are going to have to study.

In addition, Padova has one of the most active associations and many Erasmus students: ESN Padova. That will carry out various activities and trips of all kinds throughout the Erasmus, every week.

Also noteworthy is the possibility of taking a Italian course, it is totally free if you are an Erasmus student, of the level suitable for you.

Accommodation

One of the most difficult tasks will be finding accommodation in the city. You have to be vigilant, around May-June the residence request will be made, through the so-called SASSA Service, an organization that is responsible for the distribution of residences. These will be assigned in order of application, so if you want to stay in one of the many residences for Padova's students, you will have to be the first to send your application. Do not worry, they will keep you informed of everything via e-mail.

If you want to find a shared flat with more students, I warn you, it is complicated, but not impossible, you just have to "move". There are several websites for renting flats as well as pages on facebook. I was living in an apartment with 3 other Italian students and a Spanish student (with whom I shared a room and my own bathroom for both of them). The apartment was in the centre and was in very good condition. I paid € 215 plus expenses.

Food

Without a doubt, one of the strengths of Italy is gastronomy. You will enjoy the best restaurants and you will bloat with pasta and pizzas.

As a recommendation, the "fly" pizzas (typical university bar located in Galleria Tito Livio), "Da Pino" restaurant, "Pago Pago" pizzeria restaurant, the trattoria, the Grom ice cream and thousands of other places that I will write in a new post later.

As for the price of food, it is a little more expensive than in Spain, the good thing is that in the PAM supermarkets, distributed throughout the city center, you will have a special student discount of 10 % if you have a membership.

Don't worry, as it is Italy you will find almost the same products as in Spain, except for the espetec, cola and fish in abundance.

How is the city?

The city of Padova has a great charm that I could not describe very well. It feels cozy and familiar, but at the same time cosmopolitan and multicultural.

It is a city full of life and activities to do. With many museums and a religious history behind it that attracts millions of tourists. Its imperial San Antonio cathedral and its majestic "Prato della Valle" are its two main claims. But you cannot miss the Piazza dei Signori, the "Portello" university area, the Duomo of Padova and the large number of canals and green areas.

You will also have several discounts for being a student, Erasmus and resident in Padova.

Transportation

Padova has a train station near the centre, along with a bus station. Communications via these two modes of transport, in my opinion, they are very good. Punctual services, wide variety of schedules and all transfers at affordable prices.

It also offers good communications with the airports of Venice- Treviso, Venice-Marco Polo, Bologna, Milan Malpensa and Milan Bergamo.

As for transportation within the city, you will not be able to resist buying a bike, since everyone and, above all, students move around using this system. The city is quite well equipped for cycling, and it also has a large fully pedestrianized city centre.

You will also find a very good connection by using the tram that crosses the entire city, from the train station (North) to Prato de la Valle (South).

Party

A strong point of the city, as I have already mentioned, is the jovial and fun atmosphere of the city. In the months of more pleasant temperatures the city squares are crowded with people and shops where you can quietly enjoy the famous drink by the excellence of Veneto, the Spritz. Also an advantage if you are an Erasmus or Student, it is that, you will probably pay an entrance card to the clubs (for example € 5) and you will not pay more all year round. The best known and most popular clubs in Padova are "Factory" (you will spend half your life there), "Fish Market" and "the Q".

The city has many gambling dens and bars that open until 2 am. The ones I recommend are: "Alexander", "Il vizio" and "Svizio".

But the place, par excellence to have a beer with your friends, meet people and sing and play the guitar all together is the Piazza dei Signori (Here you will also spend half your life).

Now that you know a little more about this wonderful city, believe me you will not regret it.