Discovering Zagreb

Prior to going to Zagreb, I have been constantly going back and forth Italy-Croatia for some years and I was well aware of the culture and beauty of Croatia thanks to a Croatian boyfriend. Though, when I decided to be an Erasmus student in Zagreb, I was not that aware of how amazing that would turn out to be.

First time I went to my faculty, I thought it was really an awful building and did not expect that much. Later though, classes turned out to be amazing. Teachers were very prepared, had incredible abroad experience and a level of English that was native in some cases or close to that in other ones. Other students, Croatian ones, were very kind and open (as I expected) and really liked and appreciated my Italian attitude.

Croatian people really like to spend a lot of time drinking coffee and rakija (the "vodka" of the South Slavs) and discussing issues. The center of Zagreb is full of cozy bars and amazing (and cheap) places where you can go move your hips at the rhythm of international music or at that of the local one (which is not that local actually, since it's of Serbian origin).

Food is great but very much focused on meat (as most of the Eastern Countries), still, there are many restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese or even Israeli food, but the most common type of restaurant is that offering you very delicious Italian food. Croats love Italy and they love our food and I gotta say they really learned to cook it.

Prices are something that may disappoint you because Croatia is not that cheap after all.

Still, it is for us coming from Italy, Spain, Germany (and the other northern countries). The accommodation was not difficult to find, but you may have problems getting a room for 6 months with a regular and legal contract.

Regarding the city, it is very beautiful and peculiar, especially during winter time when the Christmas market is installed.

I would definitely recommend you to go to Croatia, it will positively surprise you.

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