Erasmus Experience in Trieste, Italy - Louise

Why did you choose to go to Trieste, Italy?

I wanted to do my Erasmus experience in Italy and I had no choice, given that geology sections are not common there.

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How long was your stay? What was the amount of aid you receive?

It lasted one school year: from September to the end of June.

I receive the Erasmus scholarship of 1800 € as well as the scholarship of my region which is 800 €.

How is the student atmosphere in Trieste?

The people from trieste are not necessarily very open at first. But you have to let some time pass. At the end of 2 months, I can say that I felt comfortable and well integrated. For Erasmus students, Trieste is great because the Erasmus association (ESN Trieste) is very active and offers many attractive activities.

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

Yes of course, the city is beautiful and very nice to live in. There are many things to do.

How is the food in this country?

Italy, it's no surprise, offers a very large gastronomic palette. Everything is attractive, and it's possible to eat in the center almost every 3 meters!

Was it difficult finding accommodation in Trieste?

Yes, it was the one difficult part of pre-Erasmus. Often the owners do not answer, do not accept Erasmus (yep, it does happen! ). In the end my accommodation was great and had a great location but I looked for it during weeks.

What is the cost of living in Trieste?

It's a bit like France I think, it's always possible to find low cost stores.

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What about learning the language? Have you been to language courses organized by the university?

The language courses organized by the University were during my courses at the university, so I did not go there.

So, it was by going to class and speaking with the Italians that I could practice and improve my Italian.

What is the cheapest way to get to Trieste from your city?

Getting to Trieste is not easy. By car, it's long and expensive!

The plane is possible but I live in Strasbourg, you have to take it from Mulhouse if you want a flight to Venice at a lower cost. Then a shuttle to the Venice station and finally a train to Trieste.

What places would you recommend for partying in Trieste?

Wow, there are so many that I think it is to be discovered on site with the ESN organisation of Trieste!

And to eat in Trieste? What are your favorite places?

They are everywhere. The restaurants along the Canal Grande are still the perfect place to have a good meal at a reasonable cost.

Otherwise cafés, bakeries and pizzerias are also very good places to taste specialties from trieste.

And what cultural visits would you advise?

Visiting the many caves in the area interested me a lot. There is also the natural reserve of Val Rosandra, then towns like Verona, Florence, Padua, which should not be missed.

Advice for future students in Trieste?

Enjoy! Even though sometimes it can seem difficult, Erasmus is only once and it's a great experience!