Alba's Erasmus Experience in Trieste, Italy

Source

Why did you choose to go to Trieste, Italy?

Mainly for where it is located, as I thought that I would be easier when it comes to visiting other countries, and thanks to this, I ended up doing a road trip through all of Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia.

How long does the grant last for? How much money do you receive as financial support?

My stay in Trieste was forecast to be 10 months long; well, that's what my university faculty offered me. I arrived on 22nd September and I returned home to Spain on 15th July. Upon finalising the "completion" of my studies, I had some problems because the University of Trieste only recognised me having completed 9 months there, so, in theory, I couldn't sit any exam after 22nd June. I had to get in contact with the study abroad coordinator and request that they draw up a new document delaying the end of my stay by another month, and even then they gave me a hard time over it. Be careful with this, especially if you have to study a certain module in September.

With regards to the money that gave me as financial support, I have to point out that I benefited from a grant. I am from Andalusia, so I received 900€ a month for 8 months from the Government, and, during my final month, another 120€ of "complimentary support from the EU". They paid me the first instalment in December, which was approximately 1200€. The rest was given to me at the end of March, and finally, in September, a payment of around 100€ was made to credit me with the rest of the money they owed me.

Source

What is student life like in Trieste?

You will notice that you are in a northern city in Italy because the people are not as close. But, anyway, being an Erasmus student, you will live your life differently. The vast majority of foreign students that undertake the Erasmus exchange programme are Spanish, so you are always going to have something to do instead of studying.

Would you recommend the city and the university you attend in Trieste to other students?

The city is small but it has its charm. The university is good and has well-qualified staff, but, like everywhere else, Trieste is no different in that you will find yourself waiting an hour for a professor to show up.

Source

What is the food like in Italy?

The food doesn't differ that much from that of Spain. In Trieste, the "star" dishes are the fish, the "prosciutto cotto" (which is very typical of here), and the gulash, although I have not tried this yet. On the other hand, there are places called "osmizze", which are little houses in the mountains that are open certain days of the year that serve wine and home-made cold meats for really cheap prices.

Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Trieste?

It took me a couple of days to find something, but it's not really that complicated if I'm honest. I recommend that you buy "il mercatino", where lots of flats available to rent are advertised. It's much simpler if the house you are looking for is for girls only, but everyone ends up finding something (I am saying this as I shared a flat with two guys).

How much does it cost to live in Trieste?

My landlady wanted to rent the flat to us for 900€ a month (3 bedroom flat). We managed to get her to lower the price to 800€ a month, which meant that we each paid some 267€ a month. We paid 2 months rent as a deposit.

Besides the rent itself, if I remember correctly, we had to set aside 50€ for council tax for the whole year. We are usually charged for the electricity, water and gas bills separately. My landlady paid the bills and we balanced the books with her in January and July.

Aside from the flat itself, everything is usually more expensive here than it is in Spain (or, at least more than it is in the south). I recommend doing your grocery shopping at Lidl, as everything is much more reasonably priced.

Source

What is the language like? Did you attend any classes at the university?

Fortunately, I took advantage of my time in Trieste and learnt some Italian, despite not having had many Italian friends, thanks to the speaking exams with my professors. I took an Italian class at the university, along with all the other Erasmus students, through which I achieved a language certification (for those who are interested in this, it would be equivalent to 5 credits).

I recommend going to classes - it's another way of meeting people and making yourself heard (I basically never went and now I regret it a bit).

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

Back in the day, you could take a Ryanair flight from Malaga to Venice Marco Polo. From the airport, you had to catch a bus to Mestre Station, from which you then had to take a train in direction of Trieste.

They ended up scrapping the flights to Marco Polo and began scheduling a new route to Venice Treviso (a city that's close by with an airport that's completely monopolised by Ryanair). From there, I had to get a bus to Mestre, and then a train to Trieste.

Coming home in December, I remember (to save us some money) that we flew from Venice Treviso to Barcelona and then from Barcelona to Malaga. I don't recommend doing this because you end up being absolutely exhausted after spending so many hours on buses, trains and planes.

Instead, in July, I took a flight with Volotea from Venice Marco Polo to Malaga at a decent price and with better conditions in terms of hand luggage.

Source

Which places do you recommend for nightlife in Trieste?

The year that I was there, which was the 2011/2012 academic year, we went to Macaki and Rossetti (both located in Viale XX Settembre), Sottosopra, Ausonia, and Mandracchio. Wednesday is the day for university students going out. The main street home to all of the bars, Viale XX Settembre, is full of students from 11pm stood up drinking beers on the terraces. The bad thing about going out there is that the "nightclubs" (emphasis on "night"... ) usually close between 3am and 3:30am.

As it gets closer to summertime, we would go out in Sistiana. To get there, we took a bus from the station, but to get home, we took either a taxi or thumbed a lift.

And eating out in Trieste? Can you mention your favourite places?

The place that we would frequently go to was Osteria da Roby (in Via Vincenzo Scussa, a street that intersects Viale XX Settembre after the Teatro Rossetti). The portion sizes are huge, there is pasta and fish, and it's both really delicious and well-priced.

Source

And cultural hotspots?

• Castello di San Giusto. I didn't end up going in because it was already worth having seen the Roman ruins that are outside it.
• Catedral di San Giusto.
• Arco di Ricardo , built in 33 BC, located in Piazzetta Barbacan.
• Piazza di S. Antonio Nuovo, with the church; it's beautiful on the outside, where...
• Piazza Unità.



Source

• Risiera di Sabba - one of the only two concentration camps in Italy.
• Castello di Miramare.



Source

• Giardimo Pubblico, with busts of important writers like Svevo Italo.
• Piazza Hortis (the whole neighbourhood is located within it, it's worthy of getting lost in.
• Barcola (the part with the promenade).



Source

Is there any advice that you want to give to future students in Trieste?

Go with an open mind and make the absolute most of the experience, as its one that doesn't come around twice. You will meet people that will become a very special part of your life, with whom you will contact for many years. Be very patient, but I encourage you to be insistent when it comes to your professors and university paperwork. Talk with students that have been there in previous years, so that they can advise you which professors and classes to take or avoid - it does help quite a bit.