Erasmus Experience in Sofia, Bulgaria by Ana

Why did you choose to go to Sofia, Bulgaria?

My main reason for choosing Sofia as a destination was because I wanted to discover a really different country to my own and as a result, a more enriching Erasmus experience.

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How long did your grant last for? How much financial support did you receive?

Initially, my grant was for 5 months but I extended it to a year. At first, I was told that I wouldn't be able to increase my financial support but in the end, it all went through. In total, I received approx. 2000 euros for the whole year.

What's the student atmosphere like in Sofia?

The student vibe is very pleasant, and there are loads of international students but above all, a lot of Spanish students - there's more of us every time! The native Bulgarian students were really friendly.

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

Yes, I would recommend Sofia 100% and in terms of the University, that depends on the degree you are taking. I studied psychology and as the course was in Bulgarian, I did not have classes. I only attended tutorials given in English by my professors. The only inconvenience that I had at the University was the difficulty in getting in contact with some teachers and the management of a few administrative issues. These tend to take a while to resolve, but with a little patience, everything will sort itself out for you. On top of that, all my grades were outstanding!

What's the food like there?

The food is very tasty, very healthy and very well priced.

Was it hard finding accommodation in Sofia?

I stayed in a student residence called Osmi block (Block 8) and had no problems at all, since I arranged it all through my University. I only had to fill in my request form and I was assigned a bedroom.

What's the cost of living like in Sofia?

The cost of living is a lot lower to that of Spain and you can live perfectly on a monthly budget of around 300 euros. This covers all your needs (accommodation, water & electricity bills, internet, food) and a great advantage is that you can travel very cheaply to surrounding countries such as Romania, Serbia and Turkey, so give it a go!

What's the language like? Did you go on any university course to learn Bulgarian?

Bulgarian is a reasonably complicated language, but learning 4 common everyday phrases gives you enough to get by, involve yourself in the day to day and don't be ripped off by taxi drivers! I believe that it's quite useful to learn the alphabet and know how to read, because it helps you to move around the city, since everything is written in cyrillic.

What's the cheapest way of getting to Sofia from your own city?

I travelled from Madrid and the cheapest and most comfortable way I found was by Wizz Air (low-cost airline). Furthermore, the flight was direct and they allow you a larger baggage allowance than other airlines.

What places are great for nightlife in Sofia?

The area where there's always something going on is the university neighbourhood, Studentski Grad. The bars are always open and the drinks are cheaper than elsewhere. The city centre is also a great place to go out, with Erasmus parties organised every Wednesday, for example. The city offers a larger variety of nightlife.

And eating in Sofia? Can you list a few of your favourite spots?

One of my favourite places to eat is Fly, which is very close to the University of St. Klimente Ohridski. Really tasty food at great prices. Their salads are really nice and one of my favourite dishes is their beer-soaked tomato chicken. Fame is located in Studentski Grad and is also a great place to eat well and save money. It's even open 24/7!

What's it like from a cultural point of view?

There is a free tour of Sofia offered every day, in both the mornings and the evenings. You're taken to the most symbolic places of the city and explained their history in English.

Sofia is a comfortable, navigable city in which you can walk freely around the centre, or indeed use public transport. Even taxis are quite cheap.

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Any tips or advice to give future students travelling to Sofia?

Enjoy your experience to the max and discover the charm Bulgaria has to offer!