Erasmus Experience in Pisa, Italy by Jamie

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Why did you choose to go to Pisa, Italy?

I chose Pisa because it's in the cultural and historical capital of Italy: Toscana. Tuscany as a region is really rich in history and culture and has some really stunning places, including Pisa. Pisa is also not too overwhelming, the fact that it is quite small is really quite a bit advantage for an Erasmus student who doesn't know much about living in Italy and doesn't speak Italian as a first language, because it's not very easy to get lost and the Tuscan accent is also much easier to understand than others (no offence to Napoletani e Siciliani). It is also kind of in the centre of the country, therefore it's really easy to travel the whole country from there. It's a lovely little city with decent people and amazing food!

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

I am currently doing a year abroad, so I'll be out here studying until June/July (I arrived in September) and hopefully during the summer I will be working.

What is the student lifestyle like in Pisa?

The student lifestyle in Pisa is very intense. The universities here are really good so naturally, there is always a lot of work to do from an academic point of view. However, the fact that the university is so renowned means that there are always loads of interesting talks and events going on. The party aspect is quite relaxed. People generally either go to a bigger city like Florence for nightclubs or just drink and talk in le piazze or in bars. For Erasmus students there are two main groups AEGEE and ESN. Both are very welcoming and have loads of fun events weekly to participate in, including occasional trips to other parts of Italy. Professors are also generally pretty helpful and are very understanding that for a lot of students the content of the courses can be really heavy, especially at the beginning of the year. All in all, it's a pretty decent standard Italian student lifestyle.

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

Definitely. If you're the sort of person who might drown in a large city like Rome, or if it is out of your price range then Pisa is for you.

It is also ideal for someone wanting to travel the whole country because it's in the centre and has great transport links.

It also has a lot of history and culture, the region as a whole is bursting with all of that stuff so if this is what interests you about Italy then Pisa is ideal again.

If you're interested in partying then make sure you join the Erasmus groups mentioned in a previous question and look out for all the flyers posted on the walls of the university, there's always stuff going on and Pisa is quite student-orientated so naturally there is always something going on.

What is the food like?

Food is great. I have absolutely no complaints about it at all, and it's not just because Pisa is in Italy. A lot of people have come from Naples and Sicily, and have brought their amazing food with them so you will definitely not be disappointed with that. Also, it's pretty cheap to eat out if you know where to look.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Pisa?

No. The best recommendation I have for this is to look on the UniPi website. They have some pretty useful links. If you ever try and contact a landlord, try and call them if you can, or leave them your number at least because often they don't tend to reply to emails in my experience.

How much does it cost to live in Pisa?

All in all, I'd say it's not too bad. Eating out and drinking is really cheap (although, I come from London so everywhere is cheaper for that), but in supermarkets some things like meat and fish are really quite costly. It is definitely not impossible to budget though, and one good thing about being a student in Pisa is that you can get discounts for a lot of things.

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

The language is hard, but with time you'll find yourself picking up new phrases without even thinking about it and other students are generally pretty helpful if you explain your situation. In lectures, I really recommend recording them on your phone or an actual recording device because a lot of professors in foreign languages and literatures don't use a microphone or slides, so especially at the start of the year it can be really helpful to do this. There are language courses available at the University. I believe you have to pay for them? There are also other language centres with classes and Erasmus groups have I "tandem" where you can practice your language skills (they're also free and a great way to meet people). Don't worry about the language, just give yourself time and don't panic if you don't understand something, just ask. People are generally quite patient.

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

I have to get the plane because I am British and luckily Pisa has a decent airport so I fly there direct. It also has really good train links, if you live in a neighbouring country I've heard trains are pretty economical and efficient.

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

Whilst it's warm Piazza Dei Cavalieri.

When it gets to winter I'd recommend one of the many cool bars near the above mentioned Piazza, Bazeel or Sud.

You'll easily discover loads more places as you meet people and go on tours around the city. The bars have pretty decent (and cheap) aperitivo.

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

• Gusto al 129
• Pizzeria Toni
• La Scudiere (metre long pizze)
• L'Ostellino (panini)
• Il Crudo (panini)
• Il Gelato di Toto
• La Cremeria

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Leaning Tower, obviously. Mezzo Bridge, Santa Maria Della Spina.

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

Administrative stuff, like in most of Italy, is really hard to get around. When you try and get anything done go early (at least two hours before closing time) and explain really really clearly what your intentions are and what it is you need to do. If they try and say you need to go somewhere else or ask someone else, but you've been told otherwise, stick to your guns. In my experience, unless you seem absolutely sure you know what you're doing they'll often just push you away and waste your time by sending you off to another office that also has no clue what to do with you.

Other than that, study hard and use the university to your advantage. They have all sorts of stuff going on and loads of groups and classes where you can get to know other people. The city is quite small and might seem just a bit boring at first, but when you finally meet the right people you'll discover a whole new side to it. It's a great place and if you choose Pisa I guarantee you'll have a great year! Good luck.

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