A little slice of the best year of my life...

Hello everyone, I’m an ex Erasmus student (although you never really stop being one). I spent the year 2013/2014 at the Università degli studi di Siena.

I’m a little behind, I know, but it’s never too late to give some advice for the next lucky students who get to live in this beautiful city for however many months.

Source

I’m not going to lie, Siena isn’t big, but it’s not small either. There’s a lot of advantages to this, you save money on the bus (and not because hardly anyone ever pays for the bus, which is another thing entirely and you have to pay a fine) since 90% of the time you can just as easily walk. You will meet loads of people, and the good thing is you will see them often since everyone tends to meet in the same places. EVERYTHING IS VERY CLOSE and the maximum time you’ll spend getting somewhere (unless you study in San Miniato, then you’ll have to get the bus) is about 15/20 minutes walking.

In my case I travelled Seville-Rome and then Rome-Siena by bus (far better than going wherever-Pisa and then Pisa-Siena by train).

I would recommend finding a flat before you arrive, if you leave it till the last minute you’ll end up with the most expensive or oldest/ugliest etc. IN MY OPINION, even though it’s the cheapest option, student halls isn’t the best choice since it’s mostly full of Italians who are not so friendly when it comes to sharing with you. Also, the accommodation is far from the centre area where you spend most time (and go out at night).

ESN SIENA! It’s very important that you go and get your ESN (Erasmus Student Network) card. They will be in the rectory, and as well as finding people who’ll help you with what you need you’ll make FRIENDS.

They organize big events, like trips across almost the whole of Italy, parties, the “EVENTO NAZIONALE”... it’s the best.

How is the student life in Siena?

Italians study quite a lot. Over there, student grants and enrolment in university is associated with getting high marks. Even so, they still go out, even during exam periods since each exam has 3 “apelli”, i. e 3 attempts/opportunities…so not everyone does the same exam on the same day.

Whatever degree you study, you have to study SOMETHING, they won’t let you pass for nothing. That being said, it’s not too demanding and to achieve a minimum pass of 18/30 isn’t difficult.

Source

What is the cost of living in Siena?

The average price of a shared room is €260 and an individual room is €350.

Shopping; the supermarket you’ll have most to hand is CONAD, it’s not cheap but neither is it very expensive, there’s also COOP and PAM which are outside of the centre, about a 10 minute walk. You can also find SIMPLY which, alongside COOP, is the cheapest.

Where do you recommend for a night out in Siena?

There are all kinds of places for going out. In the piazza there’s BIGELLI, CLUB 23…near to the piazza you have the pubs BARONE ROSSO, AL CAMBIO which play all kinds of music.

And theeeeeeen there’s the clubs... I don’t know if DOLCE VITA is still open this year, but it’s great. It’s a medium size but they play catchy, dance music like in Spain. There's also PAPILLON, ESSENZA and my favourite, VANILLA. To be honest, I always had the best time in this last one so I would recommend it. Because the parties are so good you’re always moving around and you have a great time.

Almost all the clubs have a bus to take you there and back which costs about €1, entry is about €6 including a drink or shot..

The clubs close at 3 except Vanilla which closes at around 4. 30.

Source

Any advice for future students in Siena?

Enjoy Siena, you’re going to love it. It will be your home for many months and you’ll fall in love, so look after it.

It will be an unforgettable year without a doubt and you will feel like part of you belongs there even after returning home.

Quattro Bianchi alla Fragola... a DELICIOUS cocktail but limit yourself to one…unless you want to spend the whole of the next day lying in bed literally not being able to move.

After-party meals will become part of your day-to-day routine (since you go out Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and will also contribute to your muffin top…

I hope I’m not forgetting anything else, enjoy this new chapter of your life.

Ade.

Source