Erasmus Experience in Siena, Italy by Silvia

Why did you choose to go to Siena, Italy?

Because it was one of the two cities I was offered, so it was either Siena or Campobasso.

The city of Siena

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How much was your grant? How much monetary aid did you recieve?

My actual time abroad was 4 months, but I increased it to 9. I can't remember exactly how much money I received but it came to around 5000 euros in total. Due to my circumstances, I received the maximum amount, through Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (Ministry of Education and Science), etc.

Siena is a wonderful city

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What's the student life like in Siena?

It's great. They have all sorts of faculties and through them Siena attracts many Italian students from various regions, and above all a lot of Erasmus students. It's a university city, as Degli Studi di Siena is one of the best.

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

Definitely, I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go to Siena. They will not regret it. The city is wonderful, and the university really did look after me.

What is the country's food like?

Italian food is fantastic. If I have to be honest I'd say there is little variety in Siena, as far as food goes...it's a very touristy city and therefore very expensive. But there are various places which have better prices whilst still serving great Italian food.

How was finding accomodation in Siena?

I luckily stayed in a residence, Mattioli, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I made many Italian friends and it helped me learn the language very quickly.

Siena is a historic city with in a historic center, so this goes for the buildings too. Residences such as flats will often be old. And the majority of rooms are shared.

Flats in Siena

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What's the cost of living like in Siena?

Living in Siena is expensive. Shared rooms cost 300-350 euros minimum. The supermarkets in the city centre are expensive too, with the cheapest ones being situated on the outskirts (for which you have to take a bus). Likewise, entry to clubs is expensive and you also have to take buses. It's an expensive city.

A restaurant on Piazza del Campo

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What's the language like? Did you undertake a language course at the University?

I did a course in Spain for a month because I knew nothing, and I went to Italy without knowing anything. I arrived and I took a course in the Università per Stranieri of the lowest level, and I learned a lot. This added to the fact that the class was not always with Spaniards, and that I was living in a residence with Italians, so after two months I managed to obtain a B1 level of Italian.

Anyone who does this will return with a good grasp of the language.

The Siena Christmas market

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What is the cheapest way of getting to Siena from your city?

I recommend organising yourself, be sure about the dates you want to travel. By buying flights with Ryanair from Madrid to Pisa (or vice versa) a month in advance you may only have to pay 50 euros (there and back). From Pisa to Siena the train costs 15 euros and if you take a bus instead, it only costs 1 euro.

Timewise, it takes two hours to get to Pisa, and then after a train journey of two hours or less you are in Siena.

Siena is a fairly small yet beautiful city

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What places would you recommend for a night out in Siena?

First off, for us Spaniards the idea of a night out is quite distinctive. In the city centre you'll only be able to find bars selling really small drinks, where the majority of the people will be in the streets, drinking from plastic party cups. All these bars are on the outskirts of Piazza del Campo (beautiful).

Piazza del Campo

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Then if you plan a night out in the clubs, you will have to go to the other square in order to take the buses which take you to each of the nightclubs (which does include private buses for Erasmus events too). As far as nightclubs go, there is Dolce Vita, and others, but the best one is without a doubt Vanilla, I recommend it highly as it's a fabulous club.

Vanilla discoteca

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Take care when returning home, because there are two times at which buses return to Siena, one at 1 and the other at 3 (as an example). Then it happens that everyone wants to stay until the end because they have paid for entry and then people end up not getting on the 3am bus...it then becomes a bit of a mess... and dangerous.

Everything closes before 4 am...

What about eating out in Siena? What are your favourite places?

If you feel like eating in the 'mensas' (a type of Italian canteen), the 'Mensa de Bandini' is the best, it is cheap with good food. I also discovered a restaurant near my residence where you can eat cheap, inexpensive food; it is called 'Due Porte'. Best of all is that in spring/summer you can eat in the garden, which is beautiful. If you don't feel like eating there they offer food to take away too.

What cultural visits do you recommend?

The Cathedral, the Chiesa de Santa Catalina, the Pinacoteca, Piazza del Campo - the whole city is split into 'districts'. Siena is a very historic city, with the 'palio di Siena' (horseracing) taking place in all of the streets, and each neighbourhood is a district with it's own name (the names are that of animals, for example la contrada della oca - the goose district). It's wonderful. As is walking the streets by night. Everything is magical.

'Palio di Siena' is a historic Italian event

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El Duemo (Siena Cathedral)

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Do you have any advice for future students of Siena?

When you go, don't be scared, learn the language, make friends with the Italian people, go out to the parties, explore the entire city, also study (there is enough time to do all these things), attend your classes (especially as a lot of the professors would like to see you attend them, and there are oral exams - they will not pass you just for your pretty face). Enjoy the piazza, travel as there a wonderful places very close by, eat a lot of ice cream and try all the Italian food - and enjoy yourself!

After this experience you will see the world in another way - it is an experience that makes you fall in love with Italy.

Siena

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