Erasmus Experience in Padua, Italy by Louise

Why did you choose to go to Padua, Italy?

I chose Padova because I heard about its student life and it's very close to Venice.

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

I'm staying one year in Padua. I will receive about 210 €/month by the EU plus 166 €/month and about 1300 € by the French government.

What is the student lifestyle like in Padua?

It's so good, especially for Erasmus students. The ESN (Erasmus Student Network) organises nice trips and a lot of parties (at least once a week). There are a lot of students in Padua so it's quite easy to meet new people. Moreover, there are a lot of discounts especially for drink discounts, such as in Sprite, for Erasmus students thanks to the ESN card.

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

Yes. I would. The University of Padua is outstanding in many departments and it's an honour to study in such a prestigious university. So of course, I would recommend the city. It's very friendly and not too big so I explored it very quickly. It's also the city of bikes, thing I really enjoyed. It's a historical city and its architecture makes it really authentic.

What is the food like?

It’s not the best city in Italy when it comes to food because there isn’t a food tradition as such, but you can find all kind of food.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Padua?

I was lucky because I found a good accommodation on Subito (Website with all kinds of things to buy or rent) in July to move at the end of September and I didn’t get to see it before moving. But I know a lot of people who had a really hard time finding a place because they wanted to find it once they were in Padua and came only one or two weeks before university started. Searching on the internet can be stressful as well because if you’re not able to see the accommodation in person before moving in, you won’t be sure if it’s the right place. My advice is to be very careful when looking for accommodation on the internet. The best you can do is start searching in midsummer and come to Padua before moving. There are also student residences that are not bad.

How much does it cost to live in Padua?

Flats are very expensive, that’s why everyone lives in shared flats or in residences. The rooms are usually between 250-400 € depending on the zone where the accommodation is. Also consider the time it will take you to get to University from where you live.

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

It really depends on your native language. If it's Latin based, it's not very difficult, you just need to get on with it. Don’t speak English all the time, try it even if you're not sure. It’s definitely harder for other languages.

Yes, there are free language courses that are great, very interactive and useful. I absolutely recommend them.

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

I travel to Paris from my city and then I fly with low-cost airlines. Ryanair offers discounts to Erasmus students, such as an avail of 15% off 8 one-way flights throughout an academic year. That’s what I'm mostly using.

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

Piazza dei Signori is where all students meet at night but not so much in winter. There are a lot of nice bars like La Yarda or SfizioBar. If you want to dance, you can go to Factory or Fishmarket that are not in the centre, but everybody goes there. You can also find the Q-Bar, a nice bar with good music.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

1. La Basilica di Sant'Antonio di Padova



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2. Il Palazzo Bo (at University)
3. La Cappella degli Scrovegni
4. Il Palazzo della Ragione



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

Speak as much Italian as you can, visit the city but also travel around the country, go out, buy the ESN card and if you have a bike, buy a good lock because they are easy to steal!