Live

CASA LUTERO

The student hostel is located in a building complex that houses the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Italy (ELKI/ CELI) and also the Melanchthon Centre. The German Historical Institute (DHI) is also on the spacious, green grounds with fountain and citrus garden. Next door is the German School, where you can sometimes get a job and, on request, take part in numerous sports activities (football, volleyball, badminton, yoga, swimming). Next door is Rome’s largest park, Villa Doria Pamphili, which is frequented mainly by locals and offers plenty of space and paths for walking, jogging and sunbathing. The student hostel is located at the beginning of a small-town district that is relatively undeveloped by tourists and has numerous shops and restaurants.

The rooms themselves have three different sizes. Each room has its own bathroom with shower, a desk with chair, a chest of drawers, bedside lamp, desk lamp, wardrobe and a pull-out guest bed. Bedlinen and towels are available in the laundry room, where there is a washing machine, a dryer and space for drying clothes (washing tokens incl. washing powder can be bought in the ELCI deanery). In addition, there is air conditioning (to cool down in summer, to heat in winter) and heating in the bathroom. The kitchen is shared with a total of 10 residents, who, apart from the Melantonini, are always somewhat different and international. In addition to us, FSJ students from the German School, intern students form the Lutheran Church of Italy, doctoral student and Waldensian student live in the hallway. The conference room can be used as a TV room in the evenings and by arrangement – there is also a sofa and a PC with printer for necessary printouts.

The accommodation is a little further out, but is well connected to public transport: A bus stop to the city (Vatican, Paola, Piazza Venezia) or to the metro station Cornelia (Linea A) can be reached in three minutes. It is a 15-minute walk to the metro station and 8 minutes to other buses. The buses also run at night. You can reach all shopping facilities in 10-15 minutes. Practically, guest rooms and flats with their own kitchen or kitchenette are available directly in the house, if the pull-out bed in one’s own room is not enough.

 

CONVICT

The convict impresses with its location on the Piazza Cavour and its Italian flatmates: Located directly above the Waldensian faculty and thus in the immediate vicinity of the historic centre and the Vatican, the convict of the faculty is located. It has about 20 rooms that are rented to students of the faculty as well as to working Italians. Double rooms, single rooms without bathroom and with bathroom (200-400€) are available. All rooms are fully furnished, and a guest bed can be provided permanently on request.  Fresh towels and bed linen are also provided weekly. A newly installed spacious kitchen is at the residents’ disposal.

The library in the house can be used around the clock. The close proximity to the faculty, the professors and the Italian flatmates means that you have your finger on the pulse of the faculty and Italian society. There are a number of communal rooms with an Italian flair, especially the roof terrace, which is overgrown with vines and perfect for balmy summer evenings with a glass of wine or barbecuing together. A view of the Waldensian Church opens up a Mediterranean flair. Guests should be registered with the manager of the convict (€10 per night).

(Testamento p. 9)

 

WG

[…] You get to know the country and the people really well, you have contact with life outside theology, you speak a lot of Italian… Besides, it’s not difficult at all to find a flat. There are a lot of free rooms and usually you don’t have to go through a tough casting, because usually the first applicant is taken. Five people from our Melantonini class are now living in shared flats and I think everyone can say the same. Here are a few tips for finding a flat:

 

1. There are many flat search portals, but I think easystanza.it is the most common. Here you have the option of creating a premium account to be able to contact all landlords. However, experience shows that it is also possible to find a room without such an account.

1. You should arrange flat viewings by phone.

1. A flat near a metro station is very practical, but not absolutely necessary, because you can also get around easily by bus and bicycle.

1. You should plan for more extra costs than the landlords tell you beforehand!

1. Usually there is no contract and the rent is paid in cash. With this in mind, good luck with your flat search and have a great time in Rome!

(Confessio Romana, p. 22)