Experience in Pisa, Italy by Sylvia

What do you think of Pisa to live? Do you recommend it? How is it?

Pisa is a small city, which can easily be explored on foot or by bike. It has a large student population, consisting not only of native Pisa citizens, but also Erasmus and the rest of Italy. It's home to the headquarters of Unipisa, Scuola Sant'Anna and Superiore Normale, where the best brains in the country study.

There are a lot of students in Pisa

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Keep in mind the rules of the game: rent is expensive, since some owners prefer to keep their flats and houses closed in order to maintain the market price, almost without control of the Comune. Fortunately, in Via del Cuore there is an association of tenants, who provide help and guidance. It's better to revise a contract before signing it as the law takes into account the use of "private contracts" and with this comes the problem of recovering the deposit, called the "caparra". Many do not rent to students, or foreigners, and others do but with clear abuse on their part.

• Neighbours: Set on giving you a bad name...do not litter, or party late into the night; the buildings are old, so they generally echo and the sound carries, which annoys the neighbourhood. Please, no more 'Viva Cadiz' and 'Viva España'...it's all well and good for nostalgia, but carrying on until after one in the morning is asking for trouble.
• Shopping: If you're organised, food shopping can go well, as the supermarkets have a large variety of products available, but they are located away from town centre. It's also useful to have a bike (they generally get stolen, so be sure to secure it with a high-quality chain or attach it to where you stop). Near to Palazzo Blu, you can get it fixed if needed, at a good price.
• Libraries: There is a newly-built one, called SMS, near to the city, following the course of the River Arno. It's quiet, with decent opening hours (Until 14:00 on Mondays, 9:00 to 19:00 from Tuesday through to Friday, 14:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays) and offers internet connection, educational workshops and leisure activities. Libraries can also be found on Santa Maria street (University of Pisa), and in the faculties for Maths, Economics, Veterinary Science, etc. I've been told there's also one in the Scuola Normale (the college in Pisa), but I have not been there. Another one worth mentioning is the Philosophy library. There are almost always books left out by the entrance for visitors to use and although they are old, they can be of use when it comes to research or reading, or improving your spelling...

SMS library

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The building which is home to Scuola Normale

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What is student life like in Pisa?

Well, it depends on the faculty, just like in a pharmacy, there is everything...generally speaking, some faculties are known for having 'nerdy' students: Maths, Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Medicine.

Others seem more 'light', in general those who study in a different way than in Spain, with many readings and periods of oral examination, and lab practicals, depending on the career. Medicine students, for example, hardly ever have contact with patients, which is not at all a good thing. I would say a lot of it is hype and the rest of it... is air!

Pisa has a lot of international students

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How much does it cost to live in Pisa?

Rent can be anything between 350-700 euros. Renting your own room will cost you close to 350 euros, not including bills, or it could go up to close to 500 euros, depending on the month. A shared room will be no less than 250 euros, again, depending on which area of the city you're in.

Renting a room in a flat in Pisa will cost between 250 and 700 euros a month

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Did you have trouble finding accommodation in Pisa? Do you have any words of advice?

Yeah it's hard! I'd advise taking a look at these websites:

• www.kijiji.it
• www.easystanza.it
• www.casa.it
• www.saimicadove.it

The river Arno

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You can find a wide range of offers and it is better if you know someone who can take a look and ask for the written terms and conditions, or you can call people who have placed one of the many advertisements on the University noticeboard. Unfortunately, the latter ends up being a lot of 'Donde dije Digo, Diego', and often ends with something along the lines of 'I can't really understand you, perhaps because of the language barrier... that's enough to frustrate anyone!

What's the country's food like? What are your favourite dishes?

You'll eat well! It depends on what you like... there is nothing like a good potato tortilla! There are places where you can eat focaccia filled with delicious vegetables for less than 5 euros! In front of San Nicola, you can get delicious Neapolitan goat's cheese.

There are restaurants which offer a student or discounted menu (Via Roma, ristorante India), and there's also Mensa, which feeds its customers for very little or even free, with various dining rooms available for both students and the average person. As I am a vegan I often went to Koala, near to Piazza Dante, although it's a bit expensive. Alternatively there's the Indian restaurant, which serves good dishes when it comes to both appearance and flavour... here, pizza is the most common, puddings are good, the wine even better. Beer is expensive, in a supermarket you can get it for less than 1 euro, but in a bar you pay 4 euros! Aperitifs are served with various dishes, similar to tapas... but it never costs less than 10 euro a head.

Pizza in Pisa

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What places do you recommend visiting in Pisa?

There are several places to visit in Pisa: the sea, the mountains, things in the city or nearby... take a look at this site: www.cipensoio.es.

Forte dei Marmi beach is near to Pisa

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What about eating out in Pisa? What are your favourite places?

So:

• Restaurant India: exotic food with polite, excellent service, and reasonable prices
• Scuderia: meter wide pizzas: great, large, varied, good prices in San Martino, near to the Caino area
• Pizzeria Sant Antonio: take-away pizza from 4 euros. Sant Antonio street
• Koala: vegan food, situated on a street neighbouring Piazza Dante
• Another site worth mentioning, behind Cassa Lupili in the centre, serving paninis straight out of the oven, generously filled and well-priced! I can't remember the name, the owner is just like Toto!
• As for pudding: La Dolce Tentazione, Piazza delle Ventovaglie or the pastry shop in front of the Humanities faculty, near to the language center.

A burrito from Koala

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What places would you recommend for a night out in Pisa?

Hmm... let me see... there's a cheap place, called Caino near to the church of Carmine which is good, it's always full which is surely a good sign. In front of Verdi Theatre there is Gegé, and next to it is another place which has very good service, but I can't remember the name. People also go to Piazza de la Berlina, although it is a little expensive. Il Panino serves bread with different fillings for around 5 euros and there's a great atmosphere there. Piazza delle Ventivaglie whilst home to its own traditions, is full of issues such as drug trafficking and is dangerous because although they try to crack down on the crime there, it soon gets out of control...

Any advice for students coming to Pisa?

Have a good read through of the contracts which you sign and do not be suprised by the late payments.

Ask for advice and do not become famous for 'incasinantes' (making a fool of yourself). Have fun and take home good memories of the city without falling into the river Arno (people climb the walls of the Lungarno and sometimes fall off... the pain of it doesn't stop them from living life to the full)! Indulge in the city's history, art and culture.

Look for opening hours and offers for places such as San Mateo Museum and Palazzo Reale, events like Anima Mundi, the festival Giugno Pisano, they are unmissable and lavish throughout the city; the Internet Festival or exhibitions at Palazzo Blu and Museo della Grafica... Welcome!

San Mateo museum

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Pisa's most famous monument... the leaning tower

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