Erasmus Experience in Turin, Italy by Miren

Why did you choose to go to Turin, Italy?

The main reason I chose it was how close it was to the Alps and the possibility to take advantage of it to go skiing on the weekends. I was also really attracted to the country's food and the language.

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

For me, it was 6 months since I was going to do the final project. I don't actually remember how much money I got in financial aid, it's been 4 years since I got back from Turin now.

What is the student lifestyle like in Turin?

The lifestyle is great. There are loads of Erasmus students from all over the world and everyone is really sociable. The university I went to was called PoliTo: Politecnico di Torino (Turin Polytechnic) and aside from it being huge and having a lot of classrooms to work in, cafeterias and mensas (university dining rooms), it had a really great student environment throughout.

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

Without a shadow of a doubt! It was one of the best times I've ever had in my life. I would love to live in Turin someday since I fell in love with its parks, its architecture, the people, their customs and their general way of life. Aside from this, I have to say that the university I was at was amazing for organising activities, classes, open days, etc.

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What is the food like there?

I've always liked Italian food, but since I went there, I like it even more. There are so many different kinds of pasta, pizza and vegetables. It goes without saying that they have Italian gelato and, of course, you'll never have more delicious coffee than when you're in Italy.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Turin?

I actually looked for accommodation online for a few months before I went, although in the end I found a flat thanks to someone I knew who had been on Erasmus in Turin the year before I went.

How much does it cost to live in Turin?

The prices there are very similar to those in Spain. I saved a lot of money eating lunch and dinner practically every day in the university dining rooms, even at the weekend. I remember that you can get a salad, a big pizza, a drink and a dessert all for €2. 50! So I managed to save my money for travelling in the surrounding areas.

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

A few months before I went to Turin, I signed up for a 2 month Italian course. I learned a lot and on top of that, once you're there, you learn even more still. I also signed up for a free course that the university put on for foreigners.

What is the easiest way to get to Turin from your home city?

You can look for flights to Milan in advance and from there get a train, which will take you right into the centre of Turin. Another way I've traveled there was on a direct train, which takes about 8 hours.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Turin?

It really depends on what kind of thing you're into, but there is a lot to choose from in the city centre. Although I recommend you to be careful in the Murazzi area, it's a bit of a dangerous place at certain times, as there are a lot of people dealing and taking drugs there. I wouldn't recommend hanging around there alone at night, because there are pickpockets there, too.

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

I really like the aperitivos (an open buffet at about 8 pm, you pay for a drink and you can eat as much as you want) that they do in a lot of bars in Turin. La Mangiatoja Del Cutre (via Principe Amedeo, 38) serves delicious sandwiches and burgers and is open from 5 am. The Pizzeria Sfashion Cafè has great food, too.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Parco del Valentino is very pretty, Basilica of Superga, the cinema museum (la Mole Antoneliana), piazza Vittorio Veneto, piazza Castello, piazza San Carlo, la Venaria Reale, etc. And outside of Turin: Milan is close by, the Bardonecchia ski resort, Genoa, Cinque Terre, etc.

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Do you have any advice for future students in Turin?

The most important thing is to have fun, don't overdo it with the partying but don't just shut yourself away to study. Try not to just hang around with Spanish people, so you'll force yourself to practice your Italian. I also recommend that, when you have finished your Erasmus, you get a qualification in Italian, because after a while, you'll forget all of the language that you tried so hard to learn! And don't forget to travel and travel and travel! Trains there are very cheap and they can get you almost anywhere!

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