Erasmus in Rome

Rome, Italy's capital and largest city, welcomes thousands of international students every year. The academic ecosystem is unmatched: La Sapienza, the largest university in Europe with over 110,000 students, Roma Tre, LUISS Guido Carli, Tor Vergata and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Each campus has its own vibe, from the bohemian streets of San Lorenzo to the modern halls of Tor Vergata.

The historic core is a UNESCO open-air museum: the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and St. Peter's Square. The Vatican offers free Sunday mass and the Vatican Museums are discounted with a student card. Walking remains the best way to truly discover the city.

The climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers (often above 32°C) and mild, rainy winters. Roman life mixes organised chaos, Mediterranean slowness and warm hospitality — a culture shock most Erasmus students end up loving.

The rental market in Rome is highly competitive, especially between late August and October when Erasmus students arrive. Start searching at least two months ahead and budget for a week or two in a hostel on arrival if nothing is locked in.

The most-used platforms are Idealista.it (the Italian standard), Spotahome, Uniplaces, Erasmus Play and Roomgo. Expect to pay €400 to €700 per month for a room in a shared flat depending on the area. Neighbourhood guide: Trastevere (charming, touristy, lively nightlife), San Lorenzo (student hub, affordable, next to La Sapienza), Pigneto (hipster, alternative), Garbatella (artsy and residential), Prati (upmarket, near the Vatican) and Monteverde (quiet and green).

Watch out for classic scams: deals that look too good, landlords "abroad" asking for a wire deposit, stolen photos. Never pay before a viewing and avoid any agency demanding fees upfront. Insist on a written contract and ask for a ricevuta (receipt) for every payment.

ATAC runs the metro, buses and trams. The abbonamento mensile ordinario costs €35 per month for unlimited travel. A discounted annual Metrebus pass is available for under-25s and enrolled students under certain income thresholds (around €250/year).

The metro is limited to three lines: A (red), B (blue) and the newer C (still under extension). The bus network is dense but often slowed by legendary traffic. Trams serve a few neighbourhoods (Trastevere, San Lorenzo). Cycling is marginal due to hills, cobblestones and aggressive driving, but e-scooters (Lime, Dott, Bird) are everywhere.

For weekend trips, Roma Termini station centralises Frecciarossa, Italo and Intercity trains across Italy. Both airports — Fiumicino (Leonardo Express, €14) and Ciampino (low-cost, shuttles ~€6) — are 30-45 min from the centre.

Every major university has its own ESN section (ESN Roma Sapienza, ESN Roma Tre, ESN LUISS, etc.) running welcome parties, trips and tandem nights. The ESNcard unlocks discounts on transport, Ryanair flights and many bars.

The aperitivo is a Roman ritual: between 6 and 9 pm, a €8-12 drink comes with an open buffet. Trastevere is the student nightlife HQ, followed by San Lorenzo (alternative, cheap bars), Pigneto (indie gigs) and Testaccio (legendary clubs). On the first Sunday of every month, state museums are free: Colosseum, Forum, Borghese Gallery — make the most of it.

For everyday food: an espresso al banco (standing at the bar) costs about €1, pizza al taglio is the go-to lunch (€3-5), and a proper meal in a trattoria runs around €12. For weekends, Frecciarossa high-speed trains reach Naples in 1h or Florence in 1h30 — cheap if booked early.

Your first move on arrival is to get the codice fiscale, Italy's tax ID, required to sign a lease, open a bank account or get a phone plan. It is free and issued on the spot at the Agenzia delle Entrate with your passport and proof of university enrolment.

Non-EU students must apply for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival. You collect the Kit Giallo (yellow kit) from a Sportello Amico post office, mail it back with supporting documents and later attend an appointment at the Questura. EU students are exempt but can request residenza for longer stays.

Healthcare: the EHIC card covers EU students; non-EU students need private insurance or registration with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale. For banking, neobanks (N26, Revolut) cover almost every need; otherwise Intesa Sanpaolo offers the free XME Conto Up account for under-35s.

Rome lives in Italian. Romanesco, the local dialect, colours everyday slang ("daje!", "aò!") but standard Italian is understood everywhere. Learning the basics before you arrive transforms the experience: ordering, negotiating rent, making friends.

Most university courses are taught in Italian, but English-language Erasmus tracks exist at LUISS, Roma Tre and La Sapienza (especially in economics, political science and engineering). Confirm your learning agreement with your coordinator before leaving.

To improve on site: language tandems run by ESN, apps like Tandem or Bla Bla, and private schools such as Italianme or Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (intensive courses from €150/week). The national references remain the Università per Stranieri of Perugia and Siena, but Rome easily takes you to a B1-B2 level in one semester.

Also on Erasly in Rome