Erasmus Experience in Sofia, Bulgaria by Kevin

Why did you choose to go to Sofia, Bulgaria?

I didn't have it in mind to choose this country in the beginning, but I had to choose between Malta and Bulgaria, so I decided to go for Bulgaria and I don't regret doing so at all, I actually want to go back.

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

I was there for three months, so I got around €950 in total.

What is the student lifestyle like in Sofia?

The atmosphere is very good, a lot of people go to Sofia on their Erasmus, more than I thought actually.

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

Definitely, it's a very pretty city and a quiet one at the same time, completely unlike Madrid, for example, it's an extremely noisy city, full of cars. If you're looking for a quiet place, which also has a lot of life, this is the place for you.

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What is the food like there?

The food here is good, I went to some traditional restaurants a couple of times and it was great, but the best thing there are the kebabs.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Sofia?

Not for me, I already had an apartment when I went, but it was much more expensive that way. You can find a very nice house to live in for very little money. For example, the residences are normally only cost €30 a month.

How much does it cost to live in Sofia?

It depends on what kind of life you want to afford yourself, but it doesn't cost much. Thanks to the exchange rate, living in Sofia is very comfortable. I survived on €100 a month, for going out partying, food, etc.

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

The language is a challenge, the classes there are normally in English, but you'll have to take some subjects in Bulgarian, but the university does put on classes to learn Bulgarian.

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

By plane.

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Where would you recommend for a night out in Sofia?

I'd recommend the centre, especially Biblioteka or the World, and then the areas like Studentski grad.

And to eat in Sofia? What are some of your favourite places to go?

You'll find restaurants everywhere in Sofia, I didn't usually go out to restaurants that much, but Fantastiko, the 24 hour shopping centre, is always a life-saver.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There's a lot of cultural sites to visit in the city: monuments, churches and especially its abundant history. Bulgaria also has some incredible places, mountains, caves, etc.

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Do you have any advice for students coming to Sofia in the future?

Don't be afraid to go there, the people are very friendly and you shouldn't believe what people say in Spain, because there isn't much that is bad or dangerous here. Enjoy the experience, because your time there will fly by.