Erasmus Experience in Turin, Italy

Why did you choose to go to Turin, Italy?

It was my university's only option in Italy for my course and, after having spoken to some people who had visited the city, I thought that it could be an interesting and nice place, conversely to what I had thought. It ended up exceeding my expectations.

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How long does the grant last? How much money do you get for help?

The grant lasted the five months of my stay, I received a little bit more than €300 per month. The bit of the grant was given to me before I departed and, on leaving, I got a little bit more.

What's the student environment like in Turin?

It's great, there are parties every night, activities organised by the Erasmus students, you never sit still!

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

I was in the Turin Polytechnic and not the University of Turin, but I would definitely recommend it! The city is great, there's an excellent atmosphere and many activities (Erasmus or otherwise).

What's the country's food like?

It's Italian food, even better than that we eat outside of Italy! On the street you can get kebabs at any hour, they are also very good (falafel option for vegetarians) and slices and focaccia (a type of salty crepe).

How did you find accommodation?

I looked with Sportello Casa, at 26A Via Verdi. You should go there as soon as possible and carry on going every day until you find exactly what you want.

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How are the accommodation prices? And the prices in general?

The price of a single room is between 300 and 350 euros plus bills, in a shared room between 250 and 270 euros plus expenses. The prices in general are a bit higher than those in Portugal, but not too much.

How's the language? Did you attend a language course at the University?

For the Portuguese the language is very easy, you understand it easily and within two or three weeks you learn the basics. With immersion (and the classes) you'll speak Italian perfectly in three months. You need to make sure that the Italians don't speak English (or speak it very little). Some, principally in Turin, speak only French and/or Spanish.

The Turin Polytechnic offered an intensive Italian course which helped with picking up the language quite a lot.

What's the cheapest way to get to Turin from your city?

I think that the cheapest way from Lisbon is easyJet, and from Porto it's Ryanair. However, there is the problem of luggage. With the TAP, Erasmus students have the right to 30kg of luggage instead of the "normal" 20kg, which can help a little.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Turin?

I don't really know, but in winter there is Lapsus every Friday and at the beginning of summer the Museum.

And eating out in Turin? Can you name your favourite places?

The cantine! €2. 50; primo piato, secondo, contorno, desert and a drink. For diner there is a whole pizza and + contorno (side dish) + desert + drink for the same price. Beyond this all the Pizza/Kebab take-aways spread throughout the city are great. At Piazza Statuto you get good pizza, and at the entrance of the Via Po (left side when you go down) you get very good kebabs. Eating in restaurants is expensive in Italy.

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And in terms of cultural visits?

I would advise buying a museum pass. They're around €30 but they allow entrance into all (or almost all) the museums. Some of which, for one ticket, cost around €20! Amongst the best (in my opinion) is the Venaria Reale, the Egyptian Museum and the Borgo Medievale, although I didn't have time to see some museums (like the Palacio de Pivoli which also seemed good to me).

Do you have any advice you'd like to give future students in Turin?

If the campus is in the centre of the city, buy a bicycle in the Porto Palazzo market (for about €20), it's the easiest way to get everywhere and all students use them (including to go out at night). If it's further there's a monthly student pass for €18. Take advantage of the cantine food which is cheap and quite good. Visit as many museums as possible and go to (relatively) nearby cities like Aosta, which also is worth a visit.