Erasmus Experience in Rome, Italy by Anna

Why did you choose to go to Rome, Italy?

Rome has always been one of my favourite cities, I have always wanted to live there, so I took advantage of the internship to live there for at least a few months and discover what the city is like if you are not a tourist but a resident.

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

The internship lasted 6 months. I received almost 500 € per month from the scholarship.

What is the student lifestyle like in Rome?

Rome is a very big city that offers everything and more for every kind of person. For students and young people there is always something to do, you never get bored. In general in Rome you can feel the Italian lifestyle that foreigners especially like.

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

Absolutely! Everyone should have seen Rome at least once. But I don't recommend it to those who don't want to live in a chaotic and always crowded city. Perhaps a city like Florence, or other Italian cities, might be more suitable.

What is the food like?

The food is obviously excellent, as everywhere in Italy. The typical Roman cuisine is very good.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Rome?

No. There are many housing offers in Rome. I advise you to evaluate well the location of the accommodation and the distance from the University as Rome is very large and it takes a while to move from one side to the other of the city.

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How much does it cost to live in Rome?

About 900 € per month. Rents are quite high in Rome. For less than 550-600 € you can find practically nothing.

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

Since I did an internship and I haven't been to university I don't know if courses are offered but I'm almost sure they are, since Rome is a multicultural city. There are also many offers of courses of all kinds of languages, especially for young people, regardless of the University and they are easy to find and contact.

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

The fastest and cheapest way to get from Stuttgart to Rome is by plane. The flight is direct and takes a little over an hour.

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

Depends a lot on taste. A place much loved by young people and lively in the evening is the "Trastevere" district. I also recommend simply taking a night walk through Rome, it is very charming, everything is illuminated and you don't have the mess of crowds of tourists as during the day.

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

Also in Trastevere. There are many nice little restaurants where you can eat very well and also typical cuisine. For a good carbonara I suggest "grace and Graziella" in Trastevere. For meat lovers I recommend the restaurant "Kilo" and "il gallo rosso”. If you want more specific advice or are looking for something in particular, feel free to contact me.

Be careful not to be fooled by the offers of the restaurants in the centre. They try to attract tourists but you eat badly and pay a lot.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Rome is an open-air museum. You will immediately understand for yourself how much and what there is to see in Rome. The most important things will not escape you. On the website "RomaToday" you can find dates and offers of various types of entertainment, from exhibitions to concerts to tourist guides there is everything and more.

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

Rome is a fantastic city. It varies from neighborhood to neighborhood so I suggest you to get around as much as possible and not to dwell only on the most popular attractions. I suggest you to walk as much as possible, it is the best way to discover the city. There are also many different offers for renting bicycles, cars or mopeds. Also take a trip to Ostia and maybe a swim in the sea.

I suggest to try the pizza in Rome as it is different from the Neapolitan one which is what is meant as the famous Italian pizza and don't miss the typical Roman carbonara.

From Rome you move very well and you arrive quickly in other cities so for those who are there for a fairly long period I recommend visiting nearby cities like Naples. With the Flixbus for 8 euros in two hours you arrive. So you can very well make a weekend in another city.

All in all don't forget that Rome is not only a very big city but also one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. This means that there are always a lot of people around. Last but not least, I would advise those who have never driven in Italy but especially in Rome, perhaps to avoid it as the Romans drive quite recklessly... but I promise you will love Rome and the Roman people.

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