Erasmus+ students and learners flock to Zagreb, Croatia to take part in their work or study mobility abroad with good reason, in this piece, we’ll explore what Zagreb has to offer and why it’s such a popular choice!
If you’re considering an Erasmus+ mobility to further your education or career, then don’t hesitate. It might feel slightly daunting to spend a period of time away from your own country, especially if you’ve never travelled alone before but within just a few days, you’ll soon feel at home – in a different place of course! Hundreds of thousands of European students and learners every year embark on Erasmus+, the successful EU work and study placement scheme and the wealth of experience it brings cannot be matched. Not to mention the chance to sample another country, improve your language skills, boost future employability and make lifelong friends.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is situated in the North of the country. One of the first things you’ll notice about Zagreb is the spectacular Gothic style architecture, a facet of the city’s rich history and culture. Relatively inexpensive, that’s another reason why Zagreb is so popular for students and if you choose your adventure during the summer months, you’ll enjoy many long, balmy days filled with sunshine. Plus, there’s lots of opportunities to head to the stunning beaches of Croatia and take boat trips to blue lagoons, some of the most beautiful in the world!
What is the Cost of Living in Zagreb Like for Students?
As mentioned, Zagreb is cheaper to live in compared to Western European cities. In fact, expect to pay anything from 200 Euros to 300 Euros every month sharing an apartment with other students. If you want your own space, a studio costs as little as 400 Euros a month but we’d encourage you not to live alone as it’s the best way of meeting new people and making lifelong friends to share your Erasmus+ experience with.
Of course, as well as accommodation, you’ll have to factor in your living expenses too such as food and leisure activities but again, these types of costs aren’t huge so you can enjoy yourself without worrying too much about blowing the budget! Furthermore, with an Erasmus+ grant you’ll easily find living in Zagreb affordable.
Leisure Time in Zagreb
A lively and vibrant city, there’s plenty to do for young people including an abundance of clubs and bars in the centre. There’ll be lots of Erasmus+ organised activities so you’ll meet likeminded people very quickly and the locals are friendly, so you’ll soon feel comfortable enough to practice your language skills.
Travel inner city is cheap, for just 12 Euros you can purchase a monthly ticket and use all the buses and trams in the city. Taxis shouldn’t charge you any more than 9.90kn for any trip of 4.9km so they’re affordable too.
If you want to broaden your horizons, as Zagreb is the capital there’s excellent travel connections to places like Dubrovnik, Split and Hvar. As Croatia is well-positioned for neighbouring countries, you can also take day trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia and Serbia. So you won’t have much spare time on your hands! All are worth spending time in.
Zagreb, A City of Incredible Culture
Nowadays many tourists travel to Zagreb, and it comes as no surprise because of the history and culture. You should plan a visit to the Church of San Marcos, the Cathedral of Zagreb and the Lotrscak Tower. All of these boast the famed Gothic architecture that the city is famed for.
Croatian food is simple, it’s not quite the same as Western Europe and involves a lot of grilled meat, fish and salad! However, if you long for spice, try the Cevapi (spicey sausages) and Burek which are puff pastries filled with minced meat and vegetables. If you want to cook for yourself and like the thought of very fresh food, visit the Dolamac market to pick up your groceries.
Other must-dos while in Zagreb include walking along the riverbanks of the Sava River and visiting popular area, Maksimir Park, especially on a warm day. Just outside the city and surrounding Zagreb are the lakes which young people and families love to spend weekends there relaxing and enjoying the outdoors especially when the weather’s good.
Final Words on Visiting Zagreb to Complete Your Erasmus+ Experience
Zagreb is one of the most interesting cities in Europe and if you live in Western Europe, then you should definitely consider Croatia for your Erasmus+ experience. Friendly locals, relatively inexpensive accommodation and exceptional history make it a place that students flock to every year. You too could join them. Speak to your university careers office or school careers advisor for more information or contact the team at TravelEdventures by clicking here.
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