My Erasmus Experience in Padua, Italy by Maëlle

Why did you choose to go to Padua, Italy?

I chose to go to Padua because it's a city when I can rent somewhere cheaply, it's not far from Venice and because it's a magnificent place with lots of activities to do.

How long's your stay? What financial aid do you receive?

I'm in Padua from September to July and I received two different types of financial aid of around 1200€ each.

What's the student vibe like in Padua?

The atmosphere is really quiet and you can go to lessons whenever you want. You can even work entirely from home if you buy the course textbooks.

Would you recommend the city or university to other students?

Yes, it's a magnificent place and the university is really beautiful. The majority of the university buildings are really old so the decoration is really distinctive.

What's Italy's food like?

Excellent and cheap! You can eat a normal pizza for 4€ and there are plenty of little shops which sells sandwiches for 2€.

Was it hard to find accommodation in Padua?

No, there is a lot of help available for finding accommodation. Padua Erasmus staff help you find somewhere.

What are living costs like in Padua?

Rent (with bills included) is around 300€. There are a lot of nightclubs that don't charge entry and alcohol isn't expensive. A good cup of coffee costs 1. 30€.

What's it like learning the language there? Did you take part in a language course organised by the university?

There are Italian courses offered to foreign students.

What's the most economical way to get to Padua from your home town?

By plane.

Where do you recommend to go out in Padua?

Factory, Fishmarket and all of Padua's pubs.

And what cultural places do you recommend going to see?

Padua's Erasmus Social Network offer a lot of trips to many different Italian cities. You should follow Associazione Erasmus Padova ESN on Facebook.