Erasmus Experience in Rome, Italy by Demi

Why did you choose to go to Rome, Italy?

This summer I did my internship in Rome. I was searching a lot and got several proposals from different cities - Rome, Amsterdam, Tbilisi, Tartu, Prague, London. Amsterdam turned out to be too expensive for my budget, especially when accomodations are so hard to get there. Tbilisi is my home city, so this time I wanted something different. In Tartu I am currently studying, so it was also not appealing for me. Regarding Prague, the company offering internship wasn't in sphere of my interest and London, well, again too expensive. So I happened to be in Rome.

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

I received my Erasmus Grant for 2 months, 1390 euros in total - 695 per month. It wasn't enough of course to finance all of my living in Rome, as it's quite an expensive city, but it was maybe 70% of my budget. Without Erasmus Grant I definitely wouldn't be able to visit Rome.

What is the student lifestyle like in Rome?

As I was on my internship in Rome, with girlfriend, we were more concentrated on work and less on parties, so I didn't experience much of student lifestyle there. But we had flatmates and I witnessed how they were going out at least every second day. We have been in some cafes also, and students are all over there.

During the day a lot of students go in libraries, cafes and beautiful parks to study, work or just relax. In this sense one feels comfortable being around like-minded people.

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

Rome is definitely an amazing city. Everything is old, antique, beautiful and magnificent. Whole city is one big Museum. Wide and narrow streets, amazing for just an evening/night walks, photography, driving with mopeds, which you will see everywhere in Rome.

Because of heavy traffic, people there drive small cars and minimopeds. Full of colorful "mini" and "vespa" driven by well dressed man and women, walking in the city feels like being in a movie.

But all good ends in time right? For me the city was too much of a rush. As the city is huge, it's too chaotic for me. I am used to such environment of course, as I am from Tbilisi, Georgia, but still, the city is huge and it's all chaos. Cars driving wherever they want, people walking whenever they want. It's just crazy. My ideal city would be a calm one during the day, in nice order, but if wanted, with a possibility to have a crazy party also.

I would definitely recommend the city to whoever it is, a student, an intern, employee or just a tourist. Must visit, must experience.

Source

What is the food like?

Italian cuisine is definitely one of the most delcious. But at the same time heavy. Pastas, which are at least 10 types, pizzas, lasagna, tiramisu are all so attractive but heavy to consume. Everything is delicious. In the streets you will see a lot of gelaterias, pastry shops, small street shops selling amazing fruits, especially coconut pieces and for just 50 cents.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Rome?

I found accommodation after searching for a month. I was searching everywhere and finally found a shared flat with private room for 800 euros for 50 days for 2 people. In the beginning accomodation was quite a problem for me. Firstly I went through whole Airbnb. People there offer good discounts if you book for a week, or even bigger if you book for a month and more. But having had no experience in moving in a different country, I started searching for apartments quite late - a month before departure. Plan your time, start searching at least 5 months before and you will land an amazing deal. Later I switched to erasmusu.com. I saw how cheap it was here compared to Airbnb, so I was searching eagerly, until I nearly got scammed for 700 euros. Be careful. Some people offer amazing apartments for real cheap, they even offer discounts to a minimum, then they ask either a bank transfer, or, to make you even more sure in your decision, assure you to make the transaction through Airbnb as it's safer, and voilà, you lost your money. The person trying to scam me had created a very assuring, look-alike twin website of Airbnb, but i already knew the website by heart, inch by inch, so I busted him and had a quite intense mail conversation later. So yeah, be careful people.

How much does it cost to live in Rome?

• To go out to eat in normal restaurant in a city centre a meal for one could cost 15 and up (pizza and juice or wine). But there are plenty of out-of-centre restaurants offering not even a single drop tastier pizzas for cheaper. Don't settle down for one restaurant, give a try to others also.
• In shops fruits are cheap, really cheap. I have been eating watermelon for whole summer. Dairy products are also cheap, except chease. Yes, I said cheese. Even though I though Italian cheese is famous, it should be cheap in Italy itself, but no, big no. It is expensive.
• Public transport is more or less expensive also. 1 ticket costs 1. 50 euros which gives you chance to travel by city buses and trams and is valid for 100 minutes after stamping it, so improvise more.
• Going to the beach also costs money as you would guess. There are private paid beaches mostly, but you can find free public ones also. You won't see much difference, believe me, except beach shezlongs, for which you will have to pay additionally.
• Museums are quite expensive also. But luckily, all of the museums have some days during a month when they offer free entrance. For example Vatican museums are free every last Sunday of the month, while Colosseum every first Sunday of the month. Improvise here also.

All in all me and my girlfriend spent around 2500 euros in 40 days including accomodation.

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

Italian language generally isn't difficult. It's easier to learn than most of other popular languages. My university is also offering Italian courses. Having spent 2 months in Rome, I could already answer a person getting up in bus whether this bus number was going in the direction he/she wanted or no.

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

Currently I'm studying in University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. So most economical way, as you would guess, of course if you know where is Estonia, is by plane.

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

• Take measures of public transport times, busses especially. Trams mostly come on time and are super fast to travel. But, busses, they don't come on time, take a lot of time, is usually full and will definitely get you late. Never take them if you can. I was spending 3-4 hours a day just for waiting bus and sitting in bus. Take trams if you can, even wait for them if the bus comes first.
• Make good use of Google Maps. If you have internet in phone Google tells almost precisely which bus or tram or metro line you need and at what times they come.
• Wifi is a big, big minus. It's nearly never public, so take that into account also.
• In some restaurants service fee is already included in the bill itself, so check not to pay twice for it.
• If going in summer season prepare for hell on earth. By prepare I mean take care of water. Always have a bottle with you as in Rome there are water spots in nearly every corner where you can fill it. And get some hat also, whether it is a panama hat or a cap.
• Make a good use of public parks also. There are several really nice parks where you can just go and have a nice relaxing picnic. Giardino degli aranci was my favorite. It's a very small park compared to others, but at the same time the most peacfull, clean, cosy and beautiful. There are orange trees on a beautiful green grass which looks amazing. Plus the view to the city from there is astonishing. A must go.
• If you are an ice cream lover, definitely visit Magnum shop near Trevi fountain. One customized ice cream costs 4. 50 euros and you get to choose the fillings, wapping and toppings, all yourself.