Erasmus Experience in Padua, Italy by Mireille

Why did you choose to go to Padua, Italy?

It is a city which is rich in culture. Padua is home to a range of restaurants, cafés, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, a theatre, an observatory, galleries and museums, and much more, so there's always somewhere to go, and something to see. There is a large student population.

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

I'm currently studying during second semester - from March until July. I receive an Erasmus grant of around 700 euros for the stay, and a student loan, however, Padua is quite expensive, and as there are a lot of places to go travelling, monthly expenses can be quite pricey.

What is the student lifestyle like in Padua?

It is quite lively - there are always events, club nights and evenings dedicated to meeting other Erasmus students in Padua.

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

Yes, I would, however, there are other places which could be better in terms of location, travel and affordability.

What is the food like?

There is a good range of restaurants, bars and cafés, which sell all sorts of Italian food from pizza and pasta, to seafood and meat dishes. There are also plenty of other options, including vegetarian and gluten-free, as well as international food (including American diners and burger restaurants).

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Padua?

It is difficult to find single rooms (most are double rooms) and not all are close to the station or centre. Also, because the campuses are spread out, it can be hard to find a place close to all the university buildings.

How much does it cost to live in Padua?

It can cost between 500-1000 euros a month, depending on where you buy food and how much you spend on bills, travel and general living costs.

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

It isn't easy, however, there are classes available in Italian for foreign speakers. The university also offers a buddy scheme, a tandem scheme and lots of Italian students who offer tutoring.

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

By flight, or by coach. Coach can take up to 24 hours, therefore, flights are a lot quicker and easier. There are plenty of routes from London, and other locations in the UK.

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

There are lots of bars, such as Alchimia. There are also nightclubs - Factory, Fishmarket, Life and Amsterdam Café. Furthermore, there are pubs, such as St Johns Pub which hosts a karaoke night.

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

There are some traditional Italian restaurants, such as La Lanterna and Trattoria da Dante, as well as many others with local and national specialities such as pizza and pasta. There are also American diners, and burger restaurants, such as Ham Holy Burger, which is a favourite in Padua.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Padua is home to the world's oldest botanical garden, museums, galleries, the Scrovegni chapel, the Basilica di Sant'Antonio, churches, Palazzo Bo where you can see the original university buildings/rooms and the Caffé Pedrocchi.

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

Find a place to live near the centre (Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza della Frutta) or near the station - these are good locations for supermarkets, gyms, university campuses, the train, coach and bus stations, nightclubs, bars, cafés and other sights.