Mobility specification

Country:Cyprus

Institution:University of Nicosia

City:Nicosia

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of International Relations and European Studies

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓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?Compared to MUNI, I found the university easier. Attendance is mostly compulsory and courses are for about 20-30 students, so the professors' approach is often much more personal. The final grade usually consisted of multiple items, not just the final exam, but for example attendance, work during the semester and midterm exams.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?At the beginning of our stay we had an orientation week organized by the university, which included a trip to the beach with sports activities. In addition, they provide a wide range of clubs for Erasmus students to join.

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:16000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?The university offers contacts for off-campus accommodation, then also the local ESN or Erasmus Life Nicosia - their Facebook page or WhatsApp group.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?The cheapest supermarket is probably Athientitis. Then it's also worth going to local markets for fruit and vegetables, where you can haggle on price. Some businesses also offer a discount with student ID - a list of these businesses can be found in the university's information system.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?perfectly

How does public transport work in the city?terrible

And what about transport outside the city?I've seen better

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?I recommend the Pame app for route finding, but it doesn't usually show real times of connections, the Cyprus Bus App is good for this. It's a good idea to get a student motion card to start with, which you top up and pay with on the bus. As a student you pay half price. For Nicosia, you can also buy a monthly subscription for €25. You then have to work out how often you ride and how worthwhile it is - one ride costs €0.80.

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?There is not so much to see in Nicosia itself. The most interesting and the busiest is probably the city centre - the streets, Ledras street, at the end of which is the border separating North and South Cyprus. If you want to experience nature, I recommend Athalassa National Forest Park. There are also several museums and galleries in town.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Ayia Napa and the beaches around it (Fig Tree Bay) - this part of Cyprus has the best beaches. Also sea caves, Cavo Greko. In December I recommend to see the salt lake in Larnaca where it is possible to see flamingos. White Stones, Pano Lefkara, Kakopetria, The Rock of Aphrodite. As far as cities go, I think Larnaca is the nicest for me.

Share your best experience:The best experience was definitely when we went to the beach and saw turtles while diving, or maybe also the Erasmus boat party.

💅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?I recommend flying into Larnaca airport - it's closer, easier and cheaper to get to than Paphos.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?Even if you're going to Cyprus, don't forget to pack warm clothes - there's usually no heating in the apartments and it's colder than outside in winter.

🥳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 in Cyprus was an unforgettable trip full of sunshine, unexpected experiences and most importantly new friendships. If you are hesitant about Erasmus, don't wait, pack your suitcase and go - it will be worth it!