Erasmus Experience in Padova, Italy by Elina

Why did you choose to go to Padua, Italy?

To say the truth I had 3 criteria
The first was that I wanted to have English lessons in the uni
The second was the residence and PAdova have many residences
The third was that I wanted to be in a country near to mine and have the opportunity to learn the language

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

For 5 months but finally I stayed for 10 :)
I was taken from my uni 466€/month
My residence was 205 so I was perfect

What is the student lifestyle like in Padua?

The one third of the citizens are students
It's a small city so it's very easy to reach its point and hung up with everyone
The Erasmus but the Italians students were very relaxing and open to new friendships

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

For sure, it's a small city with a huge history. The uni is amazing and the level of the studies very high level.

What is the food like?

Pizza pasta and lot of ice cream
Wherever you will eat the price are very good and the food fresh and pretty good
But I miss the meat though

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Padua?

The sassa servise is the organization that give you the opportunity to stay in students residence. It's very easy to applicate. But because there are many students and less rooms you have to do it as quickly as you can. But if there is no room they will try to find you a room in an apartment

How much does it cost to live in Padua?

Around 200-300 for the rent and the live around 200-300 to make amazing life. You can spend much less. Because there is the cantina that you can eat amazing and very cheap. And the drinks are pretty cheap if you participate in the esn parties. But you will definatly make some small trips around PAdova :)

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

The uni of PAdova give you free Italians lesson in small classes for one semester. But also the uni of PAdova is one of the less uni around Italy that offers also English lesson for the Erasmus :)

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

By plain. With low cost companies such as ryanair and easyjet. You can go via Milan and after my train or via venise and after by bus or via bologna and after by train or via Verona and after by train. To reach the train station from the airport there are shuttle bus. If you but the train ticket from the Internet before may you have find it in better price

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

Fish market , factory and 2 more clubs
But for before piazza di signori and erbe
The night life was pretty good but in the center everything was closed until 12 because it's a historical center but after you have the clubs or parties in houses

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

In piazza di signori was some
In via Roma and Via Milano
For coffee in piazza del erbe was the goppion cafe with wifi and amazing coffee
And ofcourse you have to go for hot chocolate In the historical cafe petrochi

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

All the center is a historical center

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

Just be relax and be open mind to new things. Nothing will be like your country. You will always feel that. But the Erasmus is not just a year abroad. It's a huge experience to take the respnosibility for yourself and make you a better person :)