Erasmus Experience in Parma, Italy by Encarni

Why did you choose to go to Parma, Italy?

Parma was my second choice and I chose it because it was one of the few cities where I could study law and business management for a high amount of valid credits. Now I think I made a great choice.

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

The grant lasted 5 months out of the 9 months that I was on my Erasmus and I got €3, 000 in total, which works out as €300 a month (which just paid my rent).

What is the student lifestyle like in Parma?

The student lifestyle is very good there, in my opinion. As it is a small city, the Erasmus students form a kind of tribe. It's a city that has a lot of life.

Would your recommend the city or the university of Parma to other students?

Definitely! I'm in love with this city. Although, I wasn't very impressed by the climate and the prices in the beginning, I have to say that I ended up falling totally in love with Parma. What's more, the University of Parma is very prestigious.

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What is the food like there?

It's Italy, so there's delicious pizza, aperitivos and the typical Parmesan cheese ( of course) everywhere! Although things are a bit expensive. I survived on spaghetti, potatoes, soups and scrambled eggs.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Parma?

Actually I didn't personally find it very difficult, although I know that people I know did. I got lucky and got offered a flat when I was filling in my paperwork, I liked it and I stayed there, because it was great. When I first got there, I stayed in the Ostello della Gioventù (a youth hostel that cost €22 a night in a shared room) and it was the cheapest place to stay there, as well as at the Eurocenter. It might be more or less expensive, but there are some flats leftover and you'll end up finding somewhere without too much of an issue, so go and view a few different places and look for somewhere in a good location.

How much does it cost to live in Parma?

It's expensive to live in Parma, especially since people go out quite a lot when on Erasmus and it's a bit expensive. Food and clothes are more expensive comparatively to the prices you're used to in Spain. But when you go shopping, 3 or 4 times, you'll end up finding offers.

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

You might be a bit overwhelmed in the beginning. You'll understand people and people will understand you, but you'll see that getting started speaking is a bit more difficult, hang out with Italian people, listen to Italian music and try to say what little you do know.

The university puts on a course, but after a few weeks, we all stopped attending... I have been studying on my own and it's been going pretty well actually. But you have to be enthusiastic, give it time and listen carefully!

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

I'm from Córdoba, so I took a flight from Sevilla to Bologna (you can go to Milan, bu tit takes much longer and you can get away from Parma). Once I got to Bologna, I took a train to Parma.

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Where would your recommend for a night out in Parma?

Dadaumpa/Jamaica for going out on Wednesdays, Mu on Thursdays, Mug for Fridays and Saturdays and drink parties in Azeglio of course!

And to eat in Parma? What are some of your favourite places to go?

Places to go for a good aperitivo: dolce vita, le malve, peter pan, da beppe...

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The streets of Parma themselves have a special charm, but piazza Garibaldi, piazza della pilotta and duomo are good to visit.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Parma?

The first months will be the hardest, but you'll get through it (everyone does) and when the hard time has passed, you'll want to pause your Erasmus experiences so that it'll never end! Soak everything up, but don't forget about your studies.