132 reviews
4.10 / 5 based on 132 reviews
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gem21
Housing
Type of housing: Halls of residence
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Halls of residence
Why?
I was really happy with the accomodation provided
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Personal comments
There are quite a few different halls in Pavia. I was in Golgi, where i had a single, en-suite room. There was a kitchen per floor (per 12 rooms) with full oven and hob, fridge, freezer. Bedding is provided for erasmus students and the communal areas are cleaned daily. The one thing it lacked was a decent social area.
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gem21
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Pavia is pretty small but it has a few decent bars - Nice One (great cocktails), Marecchaira (even better cocktails!), Irish Pub, and Dublino's are all cool. When I was there Pavia had one club - Ombellico's, but a new club has opended since. Student night's on Wednesday. STEP is the International student organisation and put on weekly events from meals and nights out to weekend trips away to Florence, Venice, and local attractions. And if all else fails, Milan is only a 20 min train ride away!
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3
gem21
Overall
I wish I had known...
The Pavia university website www.unipv.it has loads of information for international students so check that out before you leave. You can also download the application forms from there too.
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
With the combination of the language course, accomodation and the STEP insternational students' organistion and the activities, trips and events they put on, it's is well worth spending a semester or even a year in Pavia.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Although Pavia is a small town, there's plenty do do and see around and about and with it being on the main train line through northern italy, travelling is really easy. Make sure you get your accomodation application in on time, and don't forget the medical certificate from your doctor at home (which MUST be translated into Italian) as they won't even look at your application without it.
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gem21
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
Personal spending habits
I spent more than I normally would at home as we went travelling most weekends and took up the opportunities of STEP excursions and events on a weekly basis in order to meet other students and socialise. Plus Milan was only 20 minutes away! Need I say more!
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Travel, Overall, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Food, Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
The Italian burocracy is a nightmare - attempting to get the Permesso del Soggiorno in Pavia is a nightmare but be persistant and you'll get there in the end. One tip - go in a big group and try to get an appointment. it might take some persuasion but it'll pay off in the end as it'll save you hours or even days or queuing.
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gem21
Academic
Course recommendations
There's a 3 week language course for erasmus students in September for 1st semester and again in February for 2nd semester students. It's definitely worth flying out that little bit earlier in time for this course. It's a really good ice-breaker, a great way to meet other erasmus students and build a rapport with the Italian students on the STEP comittee and the teachers are really helpful if you need any accomodation or settling-in advice.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
Registering can be a bit daunting as you're pretty much left to your own devices. Best advice is to look at the course list, decide on a few you like the sound of then just turn up and sample a few lectures for the first couple of weeks before making your final decisions.
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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0
gem21
Languages
Language of instruction: Italian
Was learning Italian a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my Italian
How much did you improve your Italian?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Provided that you get out there and make the effort to speak the language locals tend to be really accomodating.
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