Mobility specification

Country:Italy

Institution:University of Padua

City:Padua

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2024/2025

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Arts / Department of the History of Art

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?manageable

Are your credits converted?yes

Can you give an example?A 6 credit course will be accepted for 5 at MUNI, unfortunately another 9 credit course will also be accepted for 5 at MUNI. MUNI only accepts 5 and 10 credit courses.

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?They teach 1 subject twice a week, while we only have 1 subject once a week. As for exams, they usually go as one signs up for the exam - it depends on the professor. The exams are public, not like ours - so anyone can go to the exam. So as students waiting to be tested, we waited in class and listened to the examinee. The evaluation between the professors was done orally, by going out the door into the hallway to discuss the final grade. In our school, the exams as oral are private- just the professor, the student, and someone else.
And yeah, there were 2-3 professors for each subject. Each an expert in something different - it was be very cool because everyone would teach what they know best (aka their major).

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?Yes. Lots of couple of days, student events, trips -> most of them under the Erasmus organisation. The school itself only organized a welcoming party, some party with your Buddy (aka the person who helped you with how the school system works and where what is) and also guided tours around Padova.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Psychological counseling
Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
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?Ehh, well there are groups on FB, but beware of scammers there. And on whatsapp. That's where I found it. The main thing is to ask for a video call from the owner so you two can be sure it's not a scam from the other side.

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Well, I'm sure I didn't get part of the deposit back, because in Italy it's the norm (supposedly) that when you make a new lease, you have to pay for it. I don't understand it myself. It was mentioned in the contract but quite subtly💀 It was just 'I accept the place after (person's name)'s signature.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?In mercato - the cheapest shop. But not buying meat here is a bit sus. It's even cheaper than Coop.
Maybe go to Asian&african supermarket, it's cheap there too. Depends on the place, though. It's pretty expensive in the Chinese nightclubs.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?neutral

And what about transport outside the city?runs like clockwork

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?The trenitalia app, where you can buy train tickets. I don't know about the buses, I used to walk everywhere from my apartment. But the MOM buses have an app, too- they're the ones that go to the airport. Otherwise, look for connections via Flixbus - they are cheaper than trains, also faster many times. I highly recommend it. I also heard that Blablacar and blablabus are good from a local citizen I met in the bus to Padova. Never tried it though.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?yes

How do you rate the availability of healthcare?I've seen better

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Cappella degli Scrovegni, St. Anthony's Basilica, Prato della Valle, that fancy building in the square, the Baptistery, Pizzeria La pavanna, and that hot pot on the way to Coop. Also Coop is really nice.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Definitely Prato della Valle and just walk around the city. Then I recommend Bologna, Trento, Ravenna, Florence, Palermo and Venice. Especially not Milan, all Italians say it's a really shitty city, same with Pisa. There's nothing there but the tower and the basilica. Verona is really nice! And Munich, it's only 7.5 hours from Padua by Flixbus. You can do it at night in one go. Museums and galleries yet!! As a student of Art History, you get them for free!!! You just have to show your certificate of study!!!

Share your best experience:Trento - waterfalls, cable car, cat cafe- super small town in the Alps. It's beautiful. Then Bologna- I recommend a trip even in the rain. Very beautiful!!! Especially the church on the mountain, it's very beautiful.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Uhhh, I don't know. Take some change to go to the bathroom, a pillow under my neck - it's a long trip.

Can you pay by card?everywhere

What not to forget when packing?2x sweatpants for sure, not counting jeans. 2x sheets, duvet and pillow own!!! And also some crystals for mental boost and tarot, so you don't stay disconnected.

🥳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?Great experience, easy traveling and it fixed my relationship with my mom a little bit, so I recommend it if you need to get away from your parents for a while🫶 My boyfriend and I have also strengthened our relationship, I can really only recommend it. It will test your courage!!