From Tallinn to Perugia: My ERASMUS+ Experience
Wondering if the ERASMUS+ experience is the right choice for you? In this blog you will get to know what it feels like to move all the way across Europe from Estonia to study in the heart of Italy, Perugia. English Language and Culture bachelor’s student Melanie-Elizabeth Lauterio shares her reflections on discovering the Italian education system and culture, and how the programme offered a truly multicultural, beautiful, but challenging experience.
Why Perugia?
Perugia is far from being one of Italy’s most popular cities; however, it is painfully underrated. Being located in the very heart of the country, you not only get to enjoy the historically rich region of Umbria on its own, but get easy access to any part of Italy whether by train, bus or even plane (a small but mighty airport!). You won't even notice how quickly the Fontivegge train station will become your second home.
Walking every day along the ancient streets of the city makes you feel like you're in a true fairytale. Romanticising life has never felt easier!
Even a simple look out of the window of your lecture hall shows the most picturesque view of the hills around you, as you are located 500 meters above the sea level. Needless to say, the sunsets are just next level, but that’s only if you are not above the clouds that day, which is another incredible experience on its own.
University Experience
Perugia can be easily compared to our Tartu, as it is a proud university city and a well-known cultural and artistic centre of Italy. The main institution, the University of Perugia, founded back in 1308, which makes it the seventh most ancient university in Italy. It welcomed me for one semester at their Department of Humanities, Ancient and Modern Languages, Literature and Cultures.
Italy is the place where you can forget about punctuality and structure, so don't be surprised if your lecturer is 40 minutes late every single time, your email is still unanswered after three weeks or even your exam date is postponed after you have waited for four hours in line for your oral defense. La dolce vita— that is just how things work over there. But don't worry, you will be compensated by the bar on the ground floor with giant pistachio cornetti’s and the best coffee you have ever had for two euros all together.
Cultural and Social Events
During my stay there, I got to witness several unique festivals and events. Eurochocolate, one of the largest chocolate festivals in Europe, allowed me to try chocolate products from all over the world, including pasta, alcoholic beverages and truffles, all containing various kinds of chocolate! I also got to visit the Perugina museum/chocolate factory and saw the direct production of the legendary Baci chocolate kisses.
Another unexpected event was the passing of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Flame through Perugia and the big celebration on the main square afterwards.
International Friendships and Travels
I have to admit that fitting in was not as easy as it often seems. There were times when I also felt extremely lonely, especially at first, but thanks to the wonderful ESN Perugia association, I managed to bond with people from all over the world and travel almost every weekend. That was exactly my opportunity to practice both English and Italian while also observing art in the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, trying to see all the iconic landmarks in Rome, bathing in the Bagni di San Filippo thermal baths, having picnics on the shores of Lago Trasimeno, visiting vintage and Christmas markets in Arezzo, seeing the world’s biggest Christmas tree in Gubbio, and many more activities and locations.
Conclusion
Overall, Perugia has taught me valuable lessons on living alone, adapting to life in another country, but also improved my problem-solving skills and independence, and definitely pushed me more out of my comfort zone. I will forever be thankful for this intense, delicious, and sometimes overwhelming experience, and the twin flame that I found in the most random setting. Miss you, Varea!
It is important to remember that your experience abroad most probably won't be as perfect as you see and imagine for yourself based on social media. The connections that you make might not be as deep as they seem at first, missing your family and friends might hit hard, and culture shock is definitely a thing, but I still advise you to take that challenge and only then decide if it was for you or not.
Who knows, maybe it will indeed be the best experience of your life :)
If you have any questions about studying in Perugia or the ERASMUS+ experience, feel free to contact me via my university email. You can also see more moments from my exchange on my Instagram: __mmetni_
