Are you wondering why you should do Erasmus in Bologna? It’s one of the most important university cities in Italy, with the best student atmosphere and a wide range of cultural offerings. Bologna is home to the oldest University in Europe, the University of Bologna, making it an ideal destination for international students. Its youthful atmosphere, history and exceptional food make living here a unique experience.
The city is known for its medieval towers, endless arcades and vibrant social life. A large part of your budget, as in most cases, will be your rent. If you opt for a university hall of residence, room prices are usually between €350-€500 per month. You also have the option of sharing private flats, where the alternatives of shared rooms usually range from €270 and upwards. One advantage of Bologna is that, as it’s not an overly large city, you can easily get around by bike, which is why many students choose to buy a second-hand bike when they arrive in the city to use during their stay. If you plan to use public transport, it’s cheap and efficient.
If what you expect from Erasmus is to party and meet new people, Bologna is the ideal city! There are many clubs and discos where you can go every day and which have special offers for students. Some of the most frequented ones are Celtic Druid Irish Pub, Numa Club Bologna and BoMa Club. Another option is to meet up in the squares of the historic centre to drink with friends. Another activity you can do is to visit the city and its most emblematic places. It’s also easy to get to other parts of Italy or even Europe. The city has a very interesting and varied cultural offer. Italian cuisine is well known all over the world and in Bologna you can find typical dishes in a large number of restaurants. Students tend to frequent places with the best value for money - don’t worry, you’ll know them soon after arriving in the city!
A large part of the budget is the rent, and the rest depends more on your lifestyle. Bologna is well known for the large number of students it welcomes every year. It’s full of life, young people, parties and culture! The amount of the Erasmus scholarship varies according to your home country and the policies of your University. The most recommended areas for students are in the old city walls, in the historic centre. Have you made up your mind about your destination? The best accommodation deals are being booked fast, don’t let anyone keep ahead! I want to find a house NOW!
Hi everyone! Hello again! I return once again after a few days of rest to tell you about more of my experiences, this time in another Italian city. "Mi piace tantissimo l'Italia! One of her friends from her year abroad in Spain was living and studying in Bologna and he had invited her to come visit. One of the best decisions I ever made was to study abroad. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to learn how to speak Italian, so when the opportunity to study in Italy presented itself I packed my bags and enrolled at the University of Bologna.
The first city I arrived to in Italy was Bologna. my flight had landed there. My feet touched the ground and I hope in the first bus that I could find that takes me to the station. I had to be in Rimini soon before the last train leaves. Another week, another trip! This time we went to explore the city of Bologna, which was on my list of Italian cities to visit this semester, and now it’s done! Welcome to my first blog ever. Exciting isn’t it? I’m a 20 year old girl from the Netherlands who is a little insecure, very socially awkward and most of all very elegant. Oh wait, that is sarcasm. Last year I spent a half a year living in Bologna, Italy as part of my Erasmus year. A place which kitchen is known for its gluten-containing menus like pasta and pizza.
While I was in Milano, I was surprised and pleased to receive a letter from an old colleague informing him that he was in Italy to visit his biological sister near Bologna. Bologna and taste the Vietnamese food he brings. During the first trip to Italy, in this trip I have been visited three cities including Milano, Piacenza and Parma. Actually I have been staying for a long time with my friend, his name is Nam. Bologna, a red city in northern Italy, it is a place where the oldest university in Europe was founded on 1088 and still running until now.
Here is a video of the great concert of December 2014 posted by a close friend. I hope that it is to your taste! It truly made me dream.. Run hamsters! With its arcades and elegant Medieval architecture, Bologna remains one of the few Italian cities preserving an historic centre that has remained almost unchanged over time. Small craftsmen’s shops and cafés on every corner embellish the small streets of the historic centre. World-famous for its ancient university, the city is a celebration of diversity and inclusion, making everybody feel welcomed: while walking under its famous UNESCO heritage porticos, it will be easy to hear many different languages thanks to the presence of students and young people from all the continents. And if it isn’t enough, thanks to its strategic position and great railway network, Bologna can be also your starting point for 1-day trip adventures to other famous cities like Florence and Venice.
Erasmus Learning Academy in BolognaIf you choose to join our Erasmus teacher training courses in Bologna, you will have the chance of admiring amazing religious architectures like the Basilica di San Petronio and Santo Stefano church and explore the National Art Gallery with works by Tiziano and Raffaello, among others. You can also enjoy the typical Italian Aperitivo drinking a “Spritz” under the Two Towers accompanied by a board of regional cheese and cured meats, before heading to dinner in a local trattoria and have a taste of the real tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, a meat based pasta sauce called in Italian ragù alla Bolognese. And if you feel in the right mood, plenty of bars with live music await you to conclude your night in the best way!
the cityMore About BolognaBologna is the largest city (and the capital) of Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. In 2000 it was declared European capital of culture and in 2006, a UNESCO “city of music”. Thanks to its strategic position, Bologna Centrale railway station is possibly the most important train hub in Italy, connecting Rome (2 hours), Florence (30 mins), Milan (45 mins) and Venice (85 mins). ELA - Erasmus Learning Academy organises teacher training courses for KA121 and KA122 Erasmus plus projects in a residential format: you will be provided with catering and accommodation in the same hotel where the course takes place, enjoying the maximum comfort possible and spending time with fellow teachers and educators from all over Europe. Sit back, relax and enjoy: we will take care of everything, from course activities to a cultural program tailored to your needs.
10 Things to do in BolognaPiazza Maggiore and San PetronioAs the central square in Bologna, Piazza Maggiore is surrounded by some of the most important buildings and streets of the city. A beautiful church overlooks the square: the Basilica of San Petronio, dedicated to the city’s patron. The square is also famous for the summer outdoor cinema, in which many world wide famous directors participate with their new movies.Santo StefanoPiazza Santo Stefano is one of the most fascinating squares in Italy. The complex of Seven Churches overlooking the square is certainly a masterpiece of religious architecture. Sometimes you see people sitting on the walls while drinking a coffee or a glass of wine. It is a good way to enjoy the beauty of this square. The university districtBologna is famous throughout the world for being the oldest university headquarters of the world. Piazza Verdi is certainly the hub of the university area and is the meeting point preferred by the students. Nearby there are many points of cultural and historical interest, the Teatro Comunale, the Academy of Fine Arts, Palazzo Poggi and the Museo della Specola are an example.Tasting traditional products and aperitiveIt’s 6 o’clock, time for aperitivo! Luckily, there is a wide selection of bars and restaurants to choose where you can taste the delicious traditional cuisine. If you are near Piazza Maggiore you should get lost in the Quadrilatero, a maze of narrow streets once known as Mercato di Mezzo (Middle Market) where craftsmen sold their goods. Its streets maintain the charm of old time while hosting modern stores and international luxury brands. Another place where you can have a good aperitivo is the Mercato delle Erbe. Born as a fruit and vegetable market, in recent years some areas of the market have evolved into restaurants and finger food shops, offering a wide variety of Bologna dishes and good wine.Sanctuary of San LucaThe Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is located on an hill at a height of about 600 meters and its majestic structure dominates Bologna from above. You can reach it comfortably by bus or walk the longest porticos in the world on the way to via Saragozza. Whatever your choice at the top is the panoramic terrace where you can admire the beautiful panorama.The porticoes of BolognaEven if it is raining, you can visit Bologna without too much of a hitch. Of course, Bologna porticoes are not famous for this reason, but it is a good point especially during the rainy autumn. Defined as private property for public use, the porticoes have become an expression and element of Bologna’s urban identity. Because of their cultural and artistic significance, in 2021 the porticoes of Bologna have been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.Two Towers: Asinelli and GarisendaLocated in the city center, the Two Towers are the iconic symbol of Bologna. They take their names from influent families who ruled the city trade and economy in the past. The tallest, called Asinelli, is not only beautiful to see, but can be climbed to the top. The panorama you will enjoy is wonderful, you will be enchanted by seeing the city from above and the life flowing below you. The Montagnola street marketIn the Montagnola park and Piazza VIII Agosto every Saturday and Sunday there is a weekly market called Piazzola market. A popular general store where there is loud to a colourful spectacle. The Piazzola is the weekly meeting for those who love the true flavour of the market. “Little Venice” in via PiellaThought it might seem impossibile, Bologna is actually located on river and only few places in the city give you the possibility to have a peek at river “Aposa”. One of the most famous spots is in Via Piella: through the tiny window always open called “Finestrella”, you can enjoy the most and picturesque view called “Little Venice”, due to its resemblance with the most famous city of canals. Bologna’s parksYou can enjoy your sunny days in Bologna in several gardens and parks. Villa Ghigi is a huge park on the hills behind Porta San Mamolo. From via Saragozza you can enter the gate of Villa Spada park. Before coming to Bologna I had never lived abroad before, so I didn’t have a clue what to expect. However, my sister, Laura, did her year abroad in Rome 3 years ago and I know how great her experience was, so I was more excited than nervous. I flew out to Bologna with Laura a month before term was due to start to find accommodation. It was a house in the centre for € 500 a month, and looking back I really should have said yes straight away, but I told her I’d think about it and carried on the search. This was my first mistake. I struggled to find anywhere decent after that, and I was hopping from B&B to B&B whilst scheduling multiple house viewings which turned out to be either too expensive, too far away or just downright dodgy. Luckily Hania, my course mate from Sussex, was also doing her year abroad in Bologna, so we looked for places together. After a lot of searching and a few knock-backs, we finally managed to find a house with two available rooms. We were advised by The University of Sussex not to live together, as that could hinder our chances of speaking lots of Italian, but this was not the case as I quickly made friends with a group of Italians who greatly helped me with my speaking. It is very easy to make friends during Erasmus, as a lot of people are in a similar situation to you and everyone is open to meeting new people.
