Erasmus Experience in Riga, Latvia by alberto

Why did you choose to go to Riga, Latvia?

To discover a new culture and different customs.

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

5 months. I have recivied 265 per months.

What is the student lifestyle like in Riga?

During the week class at morning or at afternoon. For the rest of the time knowing new person, visiting the city, making party ect. And when is possible studing

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

I think is a good place to live a period like 5 months or 1 year even if the weather for the people from the south of Europe is very hard. The University ihas good teachers and it's a good structur.

What is the food like?

Being a capital you can find a lot of different kind of restaurant but in my opinion the tipical latvian food is not good at all.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Riga?

At the beginning i have found a hostel for one month and it's far from the center. But was a perfect choise because there i could know a lot of guy that became my friends and with some of them i have rent a flat near the center and with a good price.

How much does it cost to live in Riga?

In euro, including the rent, I think you need at list 300/350 euro per month.

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

I did not study latvian so actually i dont know but i think is a difficult leanguages for the latin people. Anyway if you want to learn it there are a lot courses.

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

I live in Turin and i took the flights from Milan and to Milan because i travelled two times. And each flight was cheap. Duration 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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

You have to visit the old city and much clubs as possible. In my opinion Coyote fly is the best one disco but there are so many places that everybody can find the best one.

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

No I cant because i didnt found it.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Saint Peter Church and "Rigas Doms" both are in the old Riga that is best part of the city and all of it is wonderful and there's a lot museum like the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia 1940-1991.

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

I think If you want to live a Erasmus experience and if you go with the right mood each cities are good. So dont worry if Riga is not famous like Madrid or London or any other cities. Enjoy Riga that has a very beatifull center and it's full of youg students from all parts of the world.