Padua, the perfect city for Erasmus

Padua is situated in the North of Italy, very close to Venice.

Getting there by plane is one of the trickiest topic, since the good ones going to Venice are expensive, so you have to get to other airports such as Bologna, and then take the train. Anyway, trains in Italy are cheap, there are also many of them, so it never poses a challenge.

Erasmus in this city is 100% recommended, I had the chance to travel to other cities (such as Venice, Florence, etc. ) and none of them offers all the opportunities that Padua has for a student.

1. Padua looks like Salamanca in Spain, small but with everything you could need (there's even Zara here and this got all straight). Moreover, it's a city of students since they created a great University for all the students from Italy. Faculties and schools are scattered through all the city but they are not separated by long distance.
2. Everything is only 20 minutes of walk apart and people ride bikes everywhere. The city is flat and all the facilities are provided, reason why everybody uses this transport. To get a bike you could reach for Giardini dell'Arena where they sell the stolen one, though I recommend a second-hand one to improve the quality and a sturdy lock because... they could steal yours too!
3. The city's lovely, every street has its own charm and a special colour, without mentioning the architectural value that every street and porch has. It is distributed in 3 squares (Erbe, Frutta and Signori) where there's always a lot going on, ending up in the huge Prato della Valle. Besides Sant' Antonio and The Scrovegni Chapel, there's little more to visit, and in one day of cultural trip, you'll get to see everything.
4. For your free time, there aren't many big discos, but indeed there are many bars and a great atmosphere. Factory is the disco par excellence, which stays open until 6 am. Wednesdays are usually bustling since the Italians make lots of plans (go out for a drink, go out for dinner... ) so that you'll never get bored. Moreover, the ESN association always organize events (you have to be a member). Mind the timing, they have early lunch and dinner over there!
5. People are very nice, generally, despite the reputation of being very serious, the Northerner are very alike to us Spanish and very welcoming. You are going to meet people from many country and from all over Italy, since the University hosts students from everywhere.
6. The Unversity of Padua is eminent and offers a good Erasmus atmosphere. As long as my experience in the Law Faculty is concerned, I saw that it was serious and organized, they were always willing to help me, I've learned a great deal getting thr most out of it!
7. The food is very good, although restaurants offer lacks of variety. The Pasta-Pizza myth is a real thing, but they're opening up to new things so you'll dinner to Indian, Thai or Burgers restaurants.
8. University Halls are the best option to choose, as you get to know many people, plan stuff and travel together. It's like belonging to a Hogwart house to which you can relate, you'll experience a lot with your mates. The flat gives you more independency, but I've seen it's hard to find one, you miss all the fun (although maybe you'll be more tranquil). All you've got to do is being quick if you want a room in the halls, you will apply through SASSA service (on the web).
9. Regarding the prices, travelling is cheap, the bike cost is near-zero... maybe the grocery shopping is a bit expensive, but you'll save money on other stuff.
10. The Italian language is nice and easy, you can learn it thourougly and add another skill which will not be in vain. Other languages such as German requires more time.

For all these reasons and many more I recommend this experience in this city, that I basically feel like it's mine since there's not an Erasmus I know which isn't fond of Padua, of its corners, its funny inhabitans, the Italians which treated us as if we were in Spain.

I hope to come back soon and that this was of any help!