Living and studying in Parma

What to do, where to go during your free time

Colorno, where ALMA’s headquarters are, is a small village of around 10 thousand inhabitants, a provincial village which, despite its small size, offers a range of services such as sporting facilities, bars, nearby restaurants, shops, supermarkets as well as banks.

Parma is only 10 km away with its cultural attractions and opportunities for entertainment.

To find out about events taking place in the city, we recommend you visit the dedicated portal at www.oggiaparma.it with listings for films, plays, concerts and exhibitions. There are many venues to suit all tastes where you can enjoy an evening with friends: pubs and sandwich bars, night clubs and places with live music, or clubs.
And for those interested in Art and Culture the tourist information portal of the Municipality of Parma offers a comprehensive and up-to-date list of museums and churches, palaces and monuments.
Not to be missed are: the Parco Ducale, the Cathedral and Baptistry, The Stuard Pinacoteca, the Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre), the Teatro Farnese, and the Botanic Gardens .
And for sport lovers? The list of gyms, sports centres and sporting clubs in this case is endless. The University Sport Centre website and that of the Municipality of Parma provide plenty of references.

Getting to Parma from Colorno is easy even without a car:

By train – from Colorno station, take the regional train to Parma.
By bus – take the bus no. 7

Travelling within the city is also easy thanks to the public transport network and to the Bike Sharing scheme (borrow a bike and leave it in a different part of town) or the Car Sharing scheme (similar service involving hiring a car).

WHY STUDY IN PARMA?

10 good reasons to choose Parma as a final study destination in Italy.

1.

ABOVE ALL | FOOD

Fresh stuffed pasta such as tortelli and anolini, the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the famous Parma Ham, the Culatello di Zibello and the Salame di Felino. Parma is City of Gastronomy by UNESCO and the seat of the EFSA (European Food and Safety Authority).

2.

STRATEGIC POSITION

In the heart of Emilia-Romagna region, you can easily travel to cities such as Milan, Turin, Venice, Bologna, Florence Rome and Neaples.

3.

AFFORDABLE TOWN

Unlikely the major cities in Italy, Parma is cheaper and therefore making the choice of a studying abroad experience more affordable – both the cost of everyday life as well as rent and main activities come to a lower price than many other cities and towns in the north of Italy.

4.

PROVINCIAL TOWN

A quite town surrounded by small villages, with a local market with fresh products, bars and restaurants, papers kiosk.

5.

SURROUNDINGS

Full of history and monuments, from the Medieval Castel of Felino, to the House of Giuseppe Verdi, from the Certosa di Parma, an old monastery which is famous for Stendhal’s novel, The Charterhouse of Parma, to the Castello di Torrechiara, an amazing castle on the hills. And, of course, the Ducal Palace of Colorno hosting the headquarters of ALMA.

6.

TRAVEL AROUND

It is very easy to travel around Italy and you can take advantage of being in Europe. Just choose your destination and pack for the weekend!

7.

FUN

In Italy life ends late in the evening. Enjoy an evening strolls and good company.

8.

WONDERFUL COUNTRY

Italy is an amazing country with so much to see and experience. Counting more than 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Italy beats every other country in the world!

9.