Erasmus Experience in Pisa, Italy by Eva

Why did you choose to go to Pisa, Italy?

I chose Italy because of the interesting program at the university and city history. The city is quite small and very easy to go from one point to another - I like that. And also there are a lot of students from all over Italy which makes the experience even better.

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

My scholarship was 5 months long but I was there for 6, so I had to be very careful how and for what I spend my money on. I was getting 400 + 150 euros per month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Pisa?

It is what you want it to be. You can party, you can go to the cinema, theaters, jazz concerts, folk concerts where you learn the traditional dance, you can do sports. Whatever you want, you can do there, in Pisa.

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

Yes, without a doubt.

What is the food like?

Expensive but good. There are a lot of small places where for 4 euros you can get takeaway pasta for lunch. Thank God coffee is from 1€ for an espresso to 1. 30€ for a cappuccino!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Pisa?

No, ESN office helped me with that for free.

How much does it cost to live in Pisa?

It depends on your lifestyle but for a single room you can expect to pay a minimum of 300-350 euros, then on bills you'll spend around 40 euros and then there's food, coffee etc.

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

As an Erasmus student you can join the language courses which are quite good. After 3 months I could follow my courses in Italian and I am very proud of that because I didn't know any Italian before I went there, so if you take level A1 at home it is easier :)

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

The cheapest option from Ljubljana I would suggest Prevozi to Trieste or BlaBlaCar and then to take a train to Pisa. Plane tickets are very, very expensive from Ljubljana, Zagreb and Klagenfurt.

The easiest and most economical option is to ask somebody to drive you there because it's only 6-7 hours of driving and it's like they say - time flies when you've got good company.

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

The bars on Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Vettovaglie but again it depends what you prefer.

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

Dabbe restaurant for the best pica.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

In Pisa? Piazza Duomo and the smaller leaning tower on Viale delle Piagge, the viaduct that is surrounds the city.

Is there any other advice that you could give to future students who are going to Pisa?

Be patient with all the paperwork. It almost made me cry. That is why I suggest you to find you're perfect little bar where you could go when you'll have time to relax and meet with friends, take a walk around the river Arno, go running on Viale delle Piagge, find a small panini or bakery place where the owner will try to speak Italian to you, even though you can't really say anything back, and after a few visits he'll say 'ciao' to you if you'll see him on the street as if you're a local. Everyone is very friendly there!

Explore the city. It's quite small but there are many little streets where you can get lost and find the most amazing or strange things. Enjoy your time in Pisa and don't take it for granted because time flies.