Università degli Studi di Padova

If you need an accomodation, write soon to SASSA, the office for international relations because if you miss the final dates you have to look for a flat on your own and that´s not really nice at Padova...

If you can go abroad, be it Italy or anywhere else, definately do so!

In the first semester I stayed in an appartment in an area of university appartments on Via Monte Cengio. Unfortunately these appartments were very big with 10 or 11 students in each, they were old and in need of repair. I should mention that they have now been refurbished. In my second semester I stayed in a private appartment on Via Pietro Canal which was sublett to the university. It was great, and the ratings I gave for my accommodation apply to it.

The Erasmus society in Padova was excellent at organizing events, meetings, discounts at bars and clubs, and were very friendly. Places I enjoyed included: 1) Banale - night club, and Banale Estivo, the summer version which is held outside of the city in the open air during the warm months of the summer. There is a free bus from the city centre. 2) The Fish Market - a smaller night club were there was excellent live jazz once a week. 3) Bourbon Street - another night club which some regarded as slightly dodgy but could still be good. 4) There's a cafe in Pizza dei Signori which does excellent hot chocolate. 5) The ice cream place in Pizza Garibaldi. 6) Theme bars such as the Highlander, The Indiana Jones bar and the australian bar.

Padova has a great location, permiting you to visit a lot of the northern Italy. Sign up for the local ESN association, they always have interesting activities to follow.

Try to balance the social aspects with the academic aspects. This might be difficult as the Erasmus association in Padova was so good at organizing events but it will definitely be better when you balance things out. Also don't forget to take a few day trips or weekend trips to see the different cities, the trains are normally very good (get a carte verde) and it's a beautiful country.