Erasmus Experience in Perugia, Italy by Alexandra

Why did you choose to go to Perugia, Italy?

Perugia was one of the options given to me by my home university and as a student city it was very appealing!

As a small city in Umbria, I was aware that there would be more opportunities to speak and to practice the Italian language than in bigger Italian cities!

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

My Erasmus+ is one year, 1 semester spent in Spain and 1 semester in Italy.

In Italy I receive around 330€ per month. I am given 70% at the start of my stay and 30% upon return to my home university.

What is the student lifestyle like in Perugia?

There are many students in Perugia however often it doesn't feel that way!

There are many Erasmus events and general events around the city where you are able to meet other students however you often only meet other Erasmus students!

University in Italy is very different to that in England and it was hard adjusting at first, however with a bit of effort and persistence it is possible to settle into studying and student life!

Going out in Perugia isn't like any other city! There are a few small bars in the city centre however if you would like to go clubbing, you must go by free buses that take you to and from the club, most of the clubs are around 10km from the city centre and take 20 minutes by bus!

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

I would recommend the city for those who want to experience a real Italian city, culture and history!

UNIPG really pushes you to be independent as there isn't a lot of student support available. However once you ask other Erasmus students and also UNIPG students you can often easily find the answer!

What is the food like?

Obviously being in Italy, pizza and pasta are the main foods you will find!

Eating out is quite cheap and affordable which is a positive of the city! However supermarkets can be more expensive than in the U. K.

The university offered erasmus students access to the Mensa, the university canteen, where you can eat a large meal and drink for 2€.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Perugia?

Yes, I used an agency who helped me to find a studio flat and it cost me 140€ fees to find my flat.

However, there are many Facebook groups where other students and landlords offer flats and rooms without a fee.

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How much does it cost to live in Perugia?

I spend: 280€-320€ per month on rent and bills, 80€-100€ per month on food in supermarkets, 100€ per month on eating out and socialising, 100€ per month on trips around Italy.

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

Personally, I speak Spanish alongside learning Italian so I find Italian easier as I can make links.

However I do find Italian much harder than Spanish!

The university does offer Italian courses for free for Erasmus students;

• At the beginning of each semester they offer a course of 15 hours of Italian per week for 3 weeks at the CLA. Upon passing the exam this can be used for 4 ECTS credits.
• During the semester they offer a similar course however only 4 hours per week for the whole semester, also at CLA. You can also receive 4 ECTS credits upon passing the exam.

ESN also offer an Italian course for a fee.

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

London Standsted - Perugia is the cheapest way to fly as there are often very cheap one way tickets 16€-25€!

England - Rome, and then a FlixBus to perugia is also a cheaper option! FlixBus offer tickets for between £4. 50 - £15

You can also get the train from Rome to Perugia for around 12€.

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

• Cantiere, Afterlife, Vanilla and Urban are all good clubs outside of the city centre but they can all be reached by free buses that take you to and from the city.
• Dot Bar is a good bar in the city centre that is open late at night on some nights offering cocktails and techno/house music.
• Ferrari Luna Bar is a bar/mini club in the city centre that offers mainstream music and reggaeton
• Shamrock, the Irish bar offers karaoke and cheap drinks on a Monday night
• Cafe Pinturrichio offers a language tandem every Tuesday night

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

• Umbrò, really cheap all you can eat aperitivo and a drink for 7€ on most nights
• La Romantica, really cheap yet really good pizzas!
• Pizza Mediterranea again really good pizzas and really cheap wine!
• Dinos, 1€ slice of pizza for after or even before a night out!

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

• Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria, national gallery of Umbria, worth a visit on one of the Sundays that it is free! There are also more museums in and around the city
• Perugia Cathedral
• Piazza IV Novembre, the very centre of the city, there are always people sitting on the steps and into the night it becomes a botellón where students sit on the steps until the early hours of the morning.
• Perugina Baci Chocolate Museum
• Lago Trasimeno
• Some smaller towns and cities around Perugia, i. e. Assisi, Spoleto, Foligno, Gubbio, Orvieto
• Marmore Falls

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

• You will get used to the hills and the stairs! And you'll probably leave fitter than when you arrive!
• It gets very very cold in winter and hot in summer so it can be a hard one to pack for!
• There aren't that many Erasmus students compared to other Italian cities so you really do have to make the effort at first! ESN really gives you that opportunity but there are so many things that you can do and attend on your own!
• The university can occasionally be frustrating with the general Italian attitude of later or tomorrow but be persistent and you'll get there! It's often handy to have all email address and office hours somewhere on hand as it's erasmus and things are likely to go wrong all of the time!
• Enjoy your Erasmus!