My experience in Naples

I am Enes Tol, a third-year English Language Teaching student from Bursa, Turkey. When I first heard that I had been chosen as an Erasmus student, I felt both excited and confused, as I had never been abroad before. Moreover, Naples is not known for being the safest city, which made me a bit nervous. There were many questions on my mind, but I was determined to overcome them all and make the most of this experience.

From the very beginning, the teachers and staff at IUM Academy were incredibly helpful. They explained everything about the school, classes, and exams clearly. I never faced any major problems—only support and sincere guidance. IUM Academy is not a big institution, perhaps even smaller than I expected. However, don’t let that disappoint you; the school is highly efficient, and classes run smoothly. Additionally, its location is excellent, right in the heart of the city, with a metro station just in front, making transportation very convenient.

My first days in Naples were quite challenging. I struggled to find accommodation and had difficulties communicating with locals. Not many people in Naples speak English, so I had to learn at least some basic Italian. Additionally, I had to deal with bureaucratic procedures, such as obtaining my codice fiscale and permesso di soggiorno. The bureaucracy in Italy is rather slow, and finding an appointment can be difficult, which made the process frustrating at times.

However, once I found accommodation and sorted out the legal documents, my Erasmus journey truly began. Naples has active Erasmus communities that frequently organize events. Thanks to these gatherings, I met many wonderful people from different countries and cultures, which made my experience unforgettable. I felt the true “Erasmus spirit” and also had the chance to travel to different cities and even other countries.

Naples is a city that you either love or hate—and I fell in love with it. Yes, you may have heard that Naples is dangerous, that the mafia is everywhere, and so on. While it might not be the safest place on Earth, it is a city full of passionate and lively people. There are countless places to explore and stunning scenic viewpoints to admire. I genuinely love the city’s architecture, and I have to mention Neapolitan cuisine. Naples is famous for making the best pizza in the world, and I have to say, it lives up to its reputation! Besides pizza, there are also great local drinks like Aperol Spritz and Limoncello.

Now, as I write this from home, I find myself missing Naples a lot. Sometimes, I even wander through the city on Google Maps, reminiscing about those beautiful moments. All I’m saying is—if you ever get the chance to experience Erasmus in Naples, don’t think twice. Just go for it!