Erasmus Experience in Venice, Italia

Why did you choose to go to Venice, Italy?

There is no other city like Venice in the world, it's completely unique!

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

6 months, 1, 600 euros.

What is the student lifestyle like in Venice?

It's very hippy here, everyone enjoys themselves and nobody annoys each other. The locals go out for drinks, they don't worry about what they're wearing, they're very friendly and the Spritzers are really cheap, (2-2. 50 euros).

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

Definitely! It's not the biggest party city but it will change your life. There aren't cars, everybody knows each other, everything is pretty, and you are surrounded by culture.

What is the food like there?

It's really good. You will end up being tired of eating so much pasta and pizza, but it's good.

How was it finding accommodation?

It was really difficult! If you come for the whole year and a few of you agree to rent a flat together, you could still find one (through an agency) but if you are looking for a room for 6 months it is very very difficult. I recommend going to BAUM (Humanities Library) or the photocopying shop which is in front of the Ca' Foscari University of Venice which both have lots of posters up. I also recommend bakeca.it or esaystanza.it and making your own posters and putting them up. I recommend living in Rialto or Campo Santa Margherita... then the more modern flats are also in Strada Nova but this area is further away from the centre. Go and look at the flats, they are quite old.

What are the accommodation prices like? And the prices in general?

The price of a shared room is between 250 and 300 euros, and 350-400 euros for an individual one.

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

I recommend studying Italian before coming, as I found it more difficult than I expected. And also studying your degree in a different language... In any case, go and apologise and ask the teachers if they can put the exam into English or Spanish which a lot of them will do for you.

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

Madrid-Venice with Vueling or EasyJet.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Venice?

Campo Santa Margherita and Rialto for drinks. The bar Gran Torino has live music and is always really lively. Then there are only three clubs, Zonabandita (Piazzale Roma), Dogado (Strada Nova) and Piccolo Mondo (Accademia).

Is it good to eat out in Venice? What are some of your favourite places to go?

I recommend eating Gianduiotto (a delicious ice-cream that you can get at the ice-cream shop Nico de Zattere), Bacala Mantecato (salt cod spread from Restaurant San Bartolomeo), it does aperitifs with spritzers (next to the Rialto Market in Al Merca or El Muro, and in the evening from Remer), ice-creams from Grom Heladeria, as well as spaghetti alle vongole o neri (with clams or squid) which is a Venice classic, for example from Restaurant Ai Sportivi (Santa Margarita campus).

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The Guggenheim Museum, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Church of San Giorgio Maggiore (which is better than the San Marco one) are amazing, the Basilica, of course, Ghetto Nuovo (called the skyscrapers of Venice) the sunset views from the Academia Bridge, and a walk through Zattere to the Punta della Dogana museum on a sunny day.

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

Acqua alta (high water levels which occur periodically in the Venetian lagoon) really exists! Buy wellies and sheepskin insoles because the cold will make your feet freeze. It's bloody freezing in winter so having vests and stuff like this will come in handy. Walking shoes! We walk a lot! If you can, find a house next to a supermarket as it will make your life a lot easier! (I don't recommend getting a house on other islands like Giudecca or Lido) And enjoy the city that I am missing!