Mobility specification

Country:Italy

Institution:University of Catania

City:Catania

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Law

Study level abroad:Master

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?it's alright

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?From the experience of my friends who had done Erasmus before me, I expected most of the courses to end with an essay or presentation. Instead, we had traditional oral or written exams. Even though I only had 3 subjects (each totaling 4 hours per week), I went to school almost every day. However, due to the Sicilian way of life, all classes started at least 15 minutes late and we had a break in the middle for another 15 minutes or so.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The university held a welcome day and another event during the semester.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:18000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?I managed to find accommodation through idealista.it. There are quite a lot of offers there, but you have to be careful, some of them are scam. Student organisations like ESN also help with finding accommodation, just join their WhatsApp group.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?I was surprised at how high the price of electricity is. In the hot months or even in the winter, when the air conditioning is used daily, it can go up to 80 € per month. I also didn't realize before my stay that tap water is not good to drink in Sicily, so one has to buy bottled water.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?There is a bar/restaurant in Catania called Magna Sicily which offers a discount to Erasmus students. The prices are very low (2,5 € for aperol spritz, 6€ for pasta) and the food and drinks are very good. It is also worth visiting restaurants and businesses outside the centre, although they often don't look the most appealing from the outside, the food was always excellent and the prices low.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?with gestures

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I searched for connections to other cities via Google maps. I then bought the ticket on the websites of the individual carriers - Trenitalia, Interbus, Flixbus, Sais. I didn't use public transport, buses run late or not at all and it's quick to get everywhere on foot. The metro only works in some parts of the city.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?- Piazza del Duomo
- Teatro Massimo Bellini
- Via Etnea
- Piazza Universita
- Villa Bellini (park)
- Castello Ursino
- Local markets
- Spiagga de Catania
- Villa Cerami (law school)
- Teatro Antico Greco
- Monastero dei Benedettini (+ view from the roof of the adjacent Church of St. Nicholas)
- View from the Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata
- Piazza Stesicoro
- Via Corso Italia
- Spiagga San Giovanni Licuti + Porto
- Lungomare di Catania

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Taormina + Isola Bella
Siracusa
Palermo
Agrigento
Cefalu
Noto
Ragusa
Marina di Ragusa
Scicli
Aci Castello + Aci Trezzo
Etna

Share your best experience:You can't choose one experience. Overall, I think the best moments are the trips to other cities with Erasmus friends.
Sicilian culture is extremely rich and diverse and every town is completely different. On trips you get to know people best, you have a lot of fun and good food and it brings you together.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Taxis at the airport are extremely overpriced. It is worth taking the Alibus, which goes from the airport directly to the centre, the ticket costs 4 € and can be bought directly from the driver. If you need to take a taxi, it's worth ordering one through Uber.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Swimwear and sunscreen!
Comfortable shoes, due to the bad public transport you will really walk a lot!
If you're going in the fall, be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes and fall boots. While it's not freezing outside, the rains can be quite heavy and the inside of the buildings can get cold in the winter due to thick walls and leaky windows.
If you use any particular products (creams, shampoos, medicines...), do not rely on getting them in Sicily. Pack them with you instead.
Cash in €, you can't usually pay by card in markets and bakeries.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?Erasmus was an incredible life experience. It gave me the opportunity to get to know a different culture, amazing people and myself.