Tor Vergata University of Rome; A short guide to the student life

Continuing my “Promoting Erasmus and studying abroad” pages, I now introduce you to the Tor Vergata University of Rome! Let’s suppose that you are an Erasmus student or in general a student planning to study abroad for a semester or so. What are the factors that you would take into consideration before choosing your next destination and university? How would you organize your background research? What are the things that you’d love to know about your university in advance? Here’s a short research I did about one of the biggest universities in Italy that welcomes thousands of Erasmus students every year.

Welcome to the Tor Vergata University of Rome!

Background info; The university; The University of Rome Tor Vergata was established in 1982: it is therefore a relatively young University. It was designed on the model of Anglo-Saxon campuses: it stretches on 600 hectares and hosts important research institutions, such as CNR and the Italian Space Agency - ASI. Right from the start their presence has contributed to turning "Tor Vergata" into a dynamic research pole. Furthermore, the Campus hosts one of the most modern hospitals in Italy, i.e. University Hospital Tor Vergata, a care and research centre which is a reference point for the whole Lazio region and where our Medical School is active as well. The University is situated close to Exit 19-20 of Rome’s Grande Raccordo Anulare, it is well connected and easily reachable. In addition to public transport connections (underground, buses), a free shuttle bus to Tor Vergata railway station was set up too (see section ‘Where we are’).

An international University in Rome, the eternal city!

As far as international relations are concerned, the University of Rome Tor Vergata counts more than 500 bilateral and cultural/scientific cooperation agreements with partner Universities worldwide to promote joint research programmes and academic exchanges. Among thosethe most prestigious Universities of Brazil, but also the George Washington University (for bilateral student mobility with traineeships from 4 to 8 weeks - for the first time in Italy); Harvard University (to support innovative teaching and research programmes, clinical practice, fight against cancer and exchanges for the best students and researchers); the University of Oxford; the University of California, Irvine (to promote cooperation in science and didactics through joint programmes and research projects, academic activities and training in fields of shared interest). As far as the Erasmus+ call for study 2014-2015 is concerned, 900 mobility grants for 673 signed and funded agreements were set up. The most recent Erasmus+ agreements feature the world-class University College London.

The life in the city

Rome is a beautiful mess - a wonderful place to live, but very frustrating and stressful if you have to get anything done. Everything is an uphill battle. However, it’s a city that’s easy to feel at home in. Whereas it would take forever to feel like a true New Yorker or Parisian, you can feel like a Roman in no time (perhaps real Romans won’t agree, but you can feel like that!)

• the food is simply awesome. If you live there, you will learn to recognize tourist traps and many trattorias are awesome. You must know that Rome is a very big city : many neighborhoods are unknown by the tourists, and there you will be able to eat very well and for a very cheap price. Examples : Garbatella, San Lorenzo, Monti…

• Italian people are very welcoming if you learn to speak a little bit of Italian and if you are respectful.

• The weather is great, especially from September to November and from April to June.

• The historical center is always beautiful to discover. You may find some hidden places (churches, streets, palazzos) at every corner.

• You cannot be bored as Rome is a very dynamic city. It’s not the museum city you may think it is : its nightlife is always evolving.

• It’s a very safe city.

• It’s cheaper than the other European capitals.

• The surroundings are beautiful and you can reach the beach at less than 1 hour in transport .

Housing and Accommodation;

CampusX Student's Resort- THE LARGEST STUDENT'S RESORT IN ITALY!

Join the COMMUNITY CampusX and meet your 1.000 room mates! Within the complex surrounded in 15.000 sq. metres of green-belt area, you can have the chance to choose the type of apartment you like the most, starting from € 270/month and many services included; Prive Shuttle Bus from/to University, Policlinico and Anagnina metro station A large indoor and outdoor sporting area composed by polivalent fields, health path and gym. Barbercue Area and many relaxing dedicated spaces, in the shadow of a tree or on a comfortable sofa. Visit in Via di Passolombardo 341 or send an e-mail at [email protected] Visit their web site at www.campusx.it to join the largest Community in Italy!

...and of course do not forget to join the local ESN community!

You can easily find them on Facebook and let them help you and to introduce you to the laws, rules and customs of your new host country!

Important info!!!

Average rent; 470 euros. Monthly transportation subscription; 35 euros. Monthly food cost; 270 euros. Average lunch price at a restaurant; 15euros. Average Fitness subscription; 35 euros. Beer Price at a bar; 4 euros.

Pack your bags and choose Rome as your Erasmus or studying abroad destination!