Olalla's Erasmus Experience in Sassari, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Sassari, Italia?

For its landscapes, because it is a Mediterranean island, so its climate is good, and for its beaches.

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How long did the scholarship last? How much money did you receive to help you with living costs?

The scholarship is for one complete academic year, from September to June.

I don't know about the money, but I know you get 115€ a month from the EU. I don't know about the quantities you can get from the Ministry, because there are no guidelines. There are some Universities, Provincial Councils and Autonomous Communities that give extra help, but in Madrid they don't give you anything (only the EU and the Ministry of Education).

What is the student lifestyle like in Sassari?

The truth is that it is very good to study, it is a quiet city. The facilities are quite good and there are many libraries in which to study. The teachers are usually very nice and helpful and help foreign students, but watch out because helping does not mean tell you everything. There are some faculties that work better than others because, for example, some have weekly class schedules, which means that each week the students have to be check their schedule, but in general there is no problem.

Here in Sassari there are not many places to go out for drinks, but you can always party because there are many Spanish Erasmus students (about 100) and we will have a party wherever we can.

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

Of course, yes. It is a unique experience and the truth is that here you can learn much more than academic knowledge, I mean culturally and personally, as well as enjoying the food because the food in Sardinia is special and its people are too. It is not typical of Italy and is worth discovering.

What is the food like there?

It is Italian, mixed with the Mediterranean diet and some Spanish. Here, of course, a lot of pasta and pizza is eaten, but there is also fish and meat. The meat is quite good and a peculiarity which stands out in this area is that they eat a lot of horse meat, wild boar and donkey. For cheese lovers there are very good cheeses and lots for wine lovers too. There is also a typical liqueur here which is called Mirto and it is very good. The beer of Sardinia (Ichgnusa) is also rich. The fish and seafood are not as good as in Galicia, which is the bad thing about the Mediterranean!

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Was it hard to find accommodation in Sassari?

It was very difficult for me to find a good flat, that is to say, modern and well equipped flat, because here you don't get that but good, a flat in Sassari is not very expensive . Most flats have no microwave and almost none have a living room.

How much does it cost to live in Sassari?

It is normal to spend about 400€ a month because shopping here is expensive. It depends a lot on which supermarket you go to but, anyway, in the supermarket everything is more expensive than in Spain. So taking into account that I spend about 250€/month on renting my flat and then I have to eat, I usually easily spend between 400/500€ a month.

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

The language is not very difficult for Spaniards. You just have to listen carefully and have the will to want to learn Italian. The university organizes several free language courses for Erasmus students who come to Sassari, at beginner (A1-A2) and intermediate level (B1-B2). These courses are completely free of charge but require a certain amount of attendance in order to take the final exam to obtain the certificate. The problem is usually in the schedules that often coincide with university classes.

What's the cheapest way to travel to Sassari from your city?

Taking an aeroplane is undoubtedly the most economical and comfortable. Ryanair has affordable flights from Madrid (Tuesdays and Saturdays) and from Girona (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) which go direct.

The other option is to take a Ferry from Barcelona to Porto Torres but it is mainly for tourists, so there's a time of year, which I think is from October to April, in which it doesn't run. The Ferry option is good if you want to bring your car to the island because it is not very expensive.

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

The most popular venues and almost the only ones there are are Tumbao, Triciclo, Sergent, House of Rock, Agabachela and Piazza Italia if you want to go for drinks and as a meeting point, but there are no big clubs in Sassari.

Is it good to eat out in Sassari? Can you recommend some good restaurants?

140 grami, Pitò Pitò, I Golosi y Panino di Renato.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Castelsardo, Alghero, Olbia, Capo Caccia, Costa Esmeralda, Stintino, La Magdalena, Palau, Cagliari etc. Sardinia has a lot of charm and the best way to enjoy the island is by car, although its roads are bad and the Sardinians are awful at driving, like all Italians.

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

Don't think about it any more and come and enjoy your Erasmus in Sassari. Although in winter it is cold, in summer the good weather is incredible and its sea and beaches are also incredible. So completing your Erasmus in Sassari is worth it.