Erasmus Experience in Pavia, Italy by Lisanne

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Why did you choose to go to Pavia, Italy?

I found my master through Masterportal and it just happened to be in Pavia, so I moved there.

I am doing the 2-year Master Programm: World Politics and International Relations.

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

My master is 2 years. I rely on my savings and a government loan from my home country.

What is the student lifestyle like in Pavia?

I have 5 days of class, and 3 nights a week I have Italian lessons. Whenever there is a public holiday on a Tuesday or Thursday, they also give the Monday or Friday off - those long weekends I like to explore Italy.

In the weekend I mostly have to do my readings and prepare for classes, but I like to go out (especially for food).

Since there are a lot of (international) students here on Erasmus, they like to go out - especially Wednesday and Friday - resulting in a vibrant evening life in the city.

In Italy it is custom to just go out to a bar and have a drink, rather than to go to a club and dance. However, there is 1 club (Camilo) in Pavia. I like going there, but beware that it can be very crowded on a Wednesday- or Friday night. Also, when I went, the Italian people weren't really dancing, they were just standing around holding a drink. My advice- just dance and have fun - don't care about them.

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

Yes. Pavia's community only has two kind of people: old people and students.

What is the food like?

There are several supermarkets so you can buy your own food, and there are many restaurants or places you can pick up food.

For when it is cold or wet outside and you just want to order try Just Eat. The site is in Italian, but quite easy to understand, and you can just open Google Translate in another tab.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Pavia?

Yes. It was VERY hard for me to find accommodation. I tried to find a room from my home country through Facebook and various websites. It took me more than 3 months and more than 200 inquiries before I finally found a room.

Because I am not Italian, and most Italians do not speak English that well, I wasn't very wanted as a roommate.

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How much does it cost to live in Pavia?

I live in a room of 380 euros a month, and have around 50/70 euros of utilities. I do groceries of about 50 euros a week. And spend some more on going out for food, coffee, pizza, travelling, etc.

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

The university language centre offers Italian language courses for 190 euros for one semester, 3 nights a week.

Personally, I am not too enthusiastic about them, since we don't learn to speak at all! I joined level A1 (0 Italian knowledge) and the teacher refuses to speak English, or explain anything at all. She just gives you exercises, and you kind of have to figure everything out yourself.

I personally don't find reading Italian too hard, but when I try to speak, the Italian people aren't very accommodating. If I mispronounce it even a little bit, they "do not recognize it".

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

To get to Pavia - by train. From the airports (Malpensa/Linate/Bergamo) you can take a shuttlebus to Milano Central, and from there the train to Pavia.

DO NOT FORGET TO STAMP YOUR TICKET.

Just because you have to select which train, which time you want to take, doesn't mean your ticket is valid. On the tracks there are stamping machines (yellow, at the start of each track) in which you have to stick your ticket and get a date stamped on it.

To get around in Pavia I recommend walking.

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

Piazza Vittoria, just to have a beer with friends. There are many bars there. Also along Strada Nuova there are some bars to be found.

For Dancing, Camilo Club.