Julián Villanueva is 21 years old and studies history at the University of Zaragoza. This year, he had the opportunity to spend a few months studying in Turin, thanks to the Erasmus scholarship program. In this interview, we will travel to Italy through his experience to learn about the positive and negative aspects of being an Erasmus student in the Italian city.
Why did you choose Turin as your Erasmus destination?
Initially, Turin was not my first choice. I had applied to another destination, but in the end, it turned out to be very expensive, and I had to change my plans. At that moment, Turin was the only option left for me. So, I am here by accident, but it has been a very fortunate accident.
Which city were you supposed to go to initially?
I had applied to Dublin, but the problem was that it was very expensive, and I had to change my destination. In the history program at the University of Zaragoza, they propose many small cities in Italy, like Siena, Padua, or Verona. There were also many options in France and Eastern Europe, but what attracted me the most was Italy, which is why I ended up choosing Turin. Moreover, there were many spots available there. Normally, there are one or two spots, but this year, I believe they opened five spots.
Have you met other Spanish students there?
Yes, there are a lot of Spaniards in Turin. At parties, you hear more Spanish than Italian. But in general, there are people from all over Spain. I have met people from the Canary Islands, Barcelona, Andalusia… Turin is a student city. It is larger than Zaragoza, but not as big as Barcelona or Madrid. The fact that there are many universities here, and they are quite large, means that the student life is very vibrant.
And how about your Italian classmates? Has language been a significant factor in your relationship with them?
To be honest, there are so many international students that I have had more interaction with other Erasmus students from various parts of Europe, or even outside of Europe, than with Italians. However, Italian is understandable. Most people learn it here and usually do not have problems.
Did they know about Zaragoza, or was it the first time they had heard of it?
Some of them did know about it, but most, when you tell them you are from Zaragoza, find the name amusing because they don’t know how to pronounce «Z,» so it sounds strange to them. But no, they weren’t very clear about where Zaragoza is. If you explain that it is between Madrid and Barcelona, they can place it, but otherwise, not at all.
Regarding the university, in what language are classes taught?
It depends on the program, but especially in the humanities programs, most subjects are taught in Italian, although there are some in English. One good thing about Turin, and I believe other universities in Italy as well, is that they offer different ways to study. You can attend classes and likely have no problem understanding the professor, but if you have any difficulties, you can become a non-attending student and miss classes. Obviously, this does not exempt you from needing to study like the other students.
Are exams also conducted in Italian?
This also depends on the professor. Generally, when you create your study plan, there are many subjects to choose from, many more than in Spain. The university website indicates in which languages the subject is taught and in which languages the professor can conduct the exam. Many professors usually offer exams in English or even in Spanish, because as it is not such a different language, if the professor speaks slowly in Italian and you speak in Spanish, you can understand each other.
How does the university assist you during your internship period? For example, with accommodation.
I looked for accommodation on my own, and honestly, it was a headache. Although there are websites designed for Erasmus housing, I do not recommend them because they tend to inflate the prices. What we did was search on Idealista and then contact several landlords from there.
But the university does provide you with a budget, right?
Yes. The University of Zaragoza offers different scholarships, depending on factors such as whether you come from a large family or if you are in a risk situation… Based on that, they give you a certain amount. However, the standard amount, if I am not mistaken, is 1,700 euros, which at most can serve as a cushion to pay rent for a few months. In my case, Turin is more expensive than Zaragoza, not much more, but you can tell that being close to France, everything is a bit pricier, especially apartments. Additionally, being a large city, if you want to live close to the university, you have to get a small apartment or find something else because the prices skyrocket.
I imagine that in these months, you have noticed certain differences compared to Spain—a cultural shock.
There is a slight cultural shock because Spain is a world apart, but it’s not like going to another continent. The thing about Turin is that it is in northern Italy, very close to France, and that is noticeable. Do not come to Turin expecting it to be like Naples or Rome; it is more similar to France. For example, people are much quieter, more organized, although it is true that as it is a city with many students and a lot of immigration within Italy, almost no one is actually from Turin.
What is the thing you miss the most about Zaragoza?
Well, Zaragoza is a great city, and Turin is quite similar, considering it is larger. What struck me the most, especially in the first few months, is that it is a very modern city. For example, public transport, or how parks, streets, and construction are managed, is much better organized than in Zaragoza.
In addition, the good thing about Turin is that it’s neither too big to overwhelm you nor too small to bore you; there’s a bit of everything.
To conclude, what advice would you give to another student thinking about going on Erasmus?
To take the leap. I do not regret having gone at all. It is an enriching experience in every sense. Both to meet different people and to learn to organize yourself and to understand what living in another country is like. It is scary at first, but in the end, you get used to it, and things work out.
