r/Catania

Ciao a tutti!

Quante volte vi è capitato, in viaggio, di scegliere un posto dove mangiare con recensioni altissime, trovandovi poi nel classico locale "acchiappa-turisti" a mangiare male e pagare il triplo?

Stiamo facendo una piccola ricerca proprio su questo: come scegliamo davvero dove andare a mangiare e quanto ci fidiamo di quello che leggiamo online. Ci interessa un punto che spesso viene sottovalutato: perché i gusti di chi vive in una città (i "local") sono così diversi da quelli di chi ci passa solo per un weekend?

Se avete due minuti, ci dareste una mano enorme compilando e condividendo questo brevissimo questionario:

https://forms.gle/AJsFbd9KWQ2mGpZ68

Due info veloci:

- Il sondaggio è anonimo e si finisce in meno di 5 minuti.

- Non servono dati sensibili: la mail è opzionale solo se volete ricevere una mail a ricerca conclusa.

Grazie a tutte le persone che decideranno di collaborare!

Hey, I think about studying in Catania. I'm from germany and want to do my Master Degree in Computer Science. I've read good things about the city but also quite some negative about living and studying there.

I would love to hear some information from a students perspective, how is the university, is it hard/easy, hows the student life, are there things to do except studying, how is the sport programm? everything that is good/bad

i also want to visit sicily next month to see more of the university, mabye some recommendations about things to see/do before deciding to study there.

Ive already visited sicily a few times but only as a tourist. But i know thats not the same as actually living there. So maybe you can help me with my decision.

Thank you in advance!

I am planning to join University of Catania for LM-17 (Physics) Masters programme this fall.

It is my first time coming to italy (and europe in general), so was quite anxious about what all stuff I have to be mindful about.

Is crime prevalent in the city? If yes what types? What locations and timings do I have to avoid to be on the safer side?

How difficult it is to find student dorms/accomodation in the city? Are they expensive? What are the average prices for single room (private bathroom) type dorms? Do I have to be wary about scams regarding early booking in catania? Is there also a season when pricing goes up and what is the best season to rent dorms? Are there some groups where one can find good shared flats? (Ideally with other students).

I am planning to start learning Italian from next month. How much level of italian proficiency is enough to survive in the local city? Do people also know and converse in English? Or is talking is english frowned upon? My programme is in english but I figured I have to learn enough italian to be able to manage living for the 2 years.

How is transport and travel? Are bus and metro readily available? Do students usually live far away and travel to university? Or the accomodation near university is cheap enough to live nearby? Is there any advantage to living far away and travelling?

Is it possible to travel with a cycle ? Is it worth getting one there for daily university-dorm to and fro?

What are the usual recreation channels that people in city utilise? I am more of an athletic person and like to spend time in weekends (and if time allows in weekdays too) playing sports. Are local sport clubs available to enrol? Are they cheap enough for students? I was a competitive badminton player in my school days. Does the city have badminton courts and clubs? Is it a popular sport there?
Also are there cycling and running clubs too?
Are sports equipments expensive in the city? Is it better to bring mine along?

Is food expensive in the city? Is it possible to afford one meal per day outside or in the university, and cooking only breakfast and dinner for oneself?

How is the night sky? Are there stargazing clubs in the city?

How is healthcare in the city? Are there good hospitals and clinics in the vicinity? Does health insurance cover all types of issues one may have during the stay?
Is healthcare expensive? Is it possible to get doctor appointments without too much waiting time in the city? Is it better to get health insurance from a local provider in italy? Any recommendations for them?

How is wifi and internet/mobile plans? Is there a de facto mobile sim provider that is good? Is there also a similarly good wifi provider too?

How good is electronic/laptop repair market in catania? Is buying electronics expensive than say rest of italy and europe? Is there also a good second hand market for electronics? (Facebook marketplace, craiglist etc.)

That was kind all that I had in my mind right now. If some more questions pop up I will update it.

I would be grateful if people can answer even 1 question. Please dont be pressurised to answer all of them.

Thanks for reading this.

Caru vi prego io l'altra sera volevo alliparmi con il mio zito ma era sempre pieno di gente e non conoscevamo nessuno spot, vi prego qualcuno conosce qualche spot zona centro per alliparsi senza gente che ci guarda?

Visiting Catania between 13-17May and want to explore Etna as part of a guided tour.

Just got a few questions and want some recommendations:

Is going onwards with cable car/4x4 worth it?

Any suggestions for a guided tour with Catania pick up?

Best option on a budget?

Thanks Toby

Ciao, sono un ragazzo di 18 anni, amo tutta la cultura in generale ma soprattutto il cinema e la musica underground (metal/punk). Non ho molte amicizie e la maggior parte non condividono le mie stesse passioni. Cerco quindi un gruppo di ragazzi su per giù della mia stessa età, ma anche più piccoli o un po' più grandi non importa,con cui uscire e andare ad eventi e serate underground. In più mi piacerebbe anche iniziare a giocare a D&D o giochi di ruolo in generale, a cui fino ad ora non posso giocare per lo stesso motivo.

I’m staying in Catania now but I didn’t see any shops like we have at home for example Dm, Rossmann or Müller. Please help me, where you buy your products like shampoo, face cream, makeup if not from small markets or pharmacies (these are really expensive).

Or maybe you have hair product shops you could recommend me?

I’m really looking for for example products for curly hair, eye cream and also basic stuff like wax and a good bit cheap chapstick.

Please help, thank you everyone!