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Why did you choose to go to Reggio Calabria, Italy?

Because I have a few friends that have completed an Erasmus in Messina (around 30km from Reggio) and they told me that in the south it is easy to pass exams. And, in the end, I was able to pass with a good average in the engineering faculty.

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

One year, €2, 000 from the EU. Normally the CA also offers funds for Erasmus students. And, if you’re lucky, your town hall will also provide funds, but this was not the case for me.

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

If I could repeat my Erasmus experience, I would, without doubt, go back to the south of Italy. Here the nightlife for Erasmus students is wild; normally from Thursday to Saturday there is a party. And there are clubs along the edge of the beach that make it spectacular.

What is the food like in Italy?

Well, it’s very cheap, with rolls for €3 you eat a lot. There is a great gastronomical variety, being a large city. And you can almost always eat in restaurants that offer ‘sandwiches’ of varying types and that are very cheap.

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Reggio Calabria?

No, the people from ESN were very friendly and they help you to find accommodation quickly.

How much does it cost to live in Reggio Calabria?

€300/ €400 monthly, as there’s a supermarket in the centre that has very low prices for everyday foods.

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

Stupendous, by the second week you know a little bit, and after two months you can already hold your own, no problem. And, if you know a lot of people who are doing it, well, there are a lot of Erasmus students from all over that don’t speak your language.

What is the most economical way to travel to Reggio Calabria from your city?

My route: city of origin – Rome – Reggio Calabria. Although, there are a lot of possibilities and the Reggio airport is quite large and modern, so there are quite a few different ways to get there on offer.

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

Reggio is a party in itself. In every street there are various bars with different themes and atmospheres. There is every genre of music. And if you like more hardcore clubbing there are two super clubs near the football stadium that are insane. The alcohol is cheap, a rum and coke will cost between 4-8 euros, and the size of the drink will vary depending on the place.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The south of Italy is gorgeous. And there are certain bus lines that are very cheap and will take you to small towns that are beautiful, Aspromonte, Scilla, Vilo etc.

And the university?

To get to the university there are a lot of buses that run every half hour from all over Reggio, so it doesn’t really matter where your apartment is because you can still get to the university easily. The students treat foreign students very well and almost all of them will offer to help you if you need it. Here they study: law, civil and environmental engineering, economics, architecture and agriculture. Without a doubt, agriculture is the best. Each faculty has a good library, where the students can socialise.

What’s the city of Reggio like?

One word: gorgeous. Very. A few years ago, there was a great earthquake that devastated the city. As a result, they had to restore the buildings, interweaving the modern and the classic, and the result is beautiful. The streets are wide, clean and just like something you might find in a Spanish city. The only downside is that when there is torrential rain the streets flood because the city is almost all flat.

What is the entertainment and free time like in Reggio?

If you like exercise there are a couple of really good gyms (€40/ month), the university has a stadium where they basically play football and basketball. Free with your Erasmus card. And for entertainment, there are certain bars where they have jazz concerts, darts, machines and, sometimes, monologues.

What advice would you give future students heading to Reggio Calabria?

Don’t think about it, choose this city without hesitating. Here, you have to learn Italian because the people don’t try to understand you otherwise. The nightlife is the best, if you’re not shy, and you will always see new faces because there are thousands of students in the city. It’s also a great area if you want to travel. The professors turn a blind eye to Erasmus students. The students have a class dinner every month or so, and afterwards go clubbing.

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