Here you can find frequent Q&As we get:
Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the biggest non-profit student organization in Europe. Our mission is to take care of international students of Erasmus+ programme or any other type of mobilities under the principle of Students Helping Students. Since most of our members have their own experience with exchanges we know what the short-term stay or studying abroad can bring, including all the advantages. Basically, Erasmus is a chance for universities and students across 33 countries to mingle, learn new skills and expand their horizons. Over two million students have done Erasmus since it first started in 1987. In Slovakia you can find 10 sections which try to make your Erasmus unforgettable.
ESN UMB BB is one of the ESN sections in Slovakia, located in the heart of Europe – Banská Bystrica. We started our existence in January 2010. Our activity focuses on the buddy system and organization of various events for exchange students. We are a very active section and we try to provide as many diverse activities and events for international students as possible. That includes cultural events, such as International Village, Social Erasmus activities, such as walking the dogs from the shelter and engaging the Erasmus students with volunteering, and, of course, trips around our beautiful Slovakia that offers scenic sights in its nature (hiking in either High or Low Tatras, trips to Slovak Paradise, caves, etc.) as well as in centuries-old towns with beautiful castles and city centers. Besides that, we support the team spirit and hence we try to organize sports events, be it winter or summer so we organize sport’s days, matches, bowling nights, skiing trips or even supporting home ice hockey team (that’s a sport too), because as we say in Slovakia “In a healthy body healthy mind lives”. But wait…it's not only the local students who improve their language skills. The foreign students can improve their level of Slovak language as well, in interactive lessons provided by the university and in interaction with our buddies. We would be lying if we said that Erasmus students don't learn at least a thing or two from us (and no, it's not the swear words only).
There is a bed, a wardrobe, a shelf, a table and a chair for each student in the room. Everyone will get a pillow, a duvet and beddings as well when checking in. If you want to, you can even get a reading lamp and an additional blanket. Each room has a balcony as well. There is a socket for internet connection in each room but that means you need to bring your own LAN cable as there is no Wi-Fi in the dormitory rooms.
Four people share a bathroom and a toilet. Shampoos, shower gels, toilet paper, towels etc. are not provided. Cleaning ladies clean the bathrooms as well as your room once a week.
Yes, each floor has its own kitchen, that is, about 16 people share one kitchen. You will find that there is a table, chairs, a fridge with a little freezer, a sink, a cupboard and a cooker. There are no pots, plates, cups, cutlery, etc.
- there are 2 washing machines
- The price of washing depends on the selected mode (from 4.50 to 6 euros)
- washing powder is not included in the price, you need to have your own
- you can pay only with 50 cents or 1 euro (20, 10 cents are not accepted)
You can find all the rules HERE
Here is a list of things we recommend you to bring with you if possible, you can, of course, buy most of these here if you're not able to pack all of them :)
2 photos of yourself (3,5x4cm)
LAN cable for internet at the dorms
confirmation of payment from the dormitory
warm clothes
a flag of your country
at least 150€ for the first days
good shoes - sneakers, hiking shoes, shoes for snow
extension cord
reusable bottle (tap water in Slovakia is drinkable)
You can experience everything in Banská Bystrica when it comes to weather (and not weather only) – hot as well as cold days. The beginning of winter semester and end of summer semester can be really hot. Autumn is usually rainy, windy and foggy, as the city is located in a valley. There are a lot of mountains around. On average, the temperature oscillates around 10°C. Snow in December is not always guaranteed, but in January and February you will enjoy a lot of it for sure. Temperatures usually change from freezing -10°C to warmer +5°C. Sometimes it rains and snows at the same time and on other occasions it just rains. Spring starts at the end of March and it means the weather varies from nice sunny 12°C to colder rainy days, but the temperatures increase gradually with the months. In May, the weather is usually already stable and can be quite hot.
Yes! You can drink water from the tap. :)