Erasmus Experience in Aveiro, Portugal by Natalia

Why did you choose to go to Aveiro, Portugal?

I'm gonna answer in English. It's easier for me because my spanish is far from being perfect.

I didn't do Erasmus in Aveiro. I came here for my studies as a capeverdian student.

Aveiro because:

1- good education, Aveiro University has a quite good reputation;

2- In spite of being a small city, it's calm and fun enough.

3- everything is close. You don't need to use transport, therefore you save money.

4- it's clean, organized and safe.

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How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I did Erasmus in Lille and received one year grant of about 2500 euros. For Portugal you receive less bcp you don't have that many expenses. About 1500 maybe?

What is the student lifestyle like in Aveiro?

Aveiro is fun. All Erasmus I met left absolutely amazed. Portuguese people are very welcoming and nice. University is huge and the city lives thank's to the students, the city depends on the students. You have many bars at night, good, engaging Erasmus organizations that seeks to set up nice meetings and promotes students' integration within the portuguese community.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Aveiro to other students?

yes sure. Aveiro is one of my favourite Portuguese cities, therefore there's no way to be wrong by coming here.

What is the food like?

Basically, if you go to the canteen, first you eat great and you pay nothing! 2, 50 for a meal, with drink, soup, dish, salad, bread and dessert. You have many great restaurants where you pay about 5 euros, at maximum for an expensive dinner you'll be paying about 13 euros. In Aveiro, it's an important ritual: to eat good and a lot!

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Aveiro?

No, it's extremely easy. By the way, only this year, I moved abou 3 times, and had a large choice.

How much does it cost to live in Aveiro?

I pay: 120€ for the appartment + light and gaz of about 30/40€ per month. Plus food: 150 euros per month. If you wanna go out at nigh, you'll need more logically. A beer is about 1€/ 1, 20€. You dont' need transportation, so I suppose that with 400 you're ok. With 500 you're really fine. Per month.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Portuguese is simple. For spanish people even more. We have Cursos Livres for Erasmus students, so they're for free. You'll are informed about it before joining the adventure. I did languages at languages department and teachers are pretty good.

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What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Aveiro from your city?

Ok. I'm in Aveiro. But you have ryanair from Porto which is one hour distance by train from Aveiro. 2, 5h to Lisbon and that's it. I used to go to France by low cost companies for 40€, and I went to Madrid for 15€.. by plane

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Aveiro?

You have: Kittens', Santos, Plaza, Convivio, Toca Aqui, Omega, Casa Pina, Mercado Negro, Eslanada, Taco, Galitos, Maravilhas, Estação da Luz, Autocarro Bar, etc

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Aveiro?

Ramona - key restaurant for students (cheap & great);

Convívio, Madeirense, PizzArt, Alentejano, Adriano, Evaristo, etc

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What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Gretua, teatro aveirense, mercado negro, sé, museu de aveiro, centro de congressos, parque da macaca, etc

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Aveiro in the future?

Aveiro is great, but attention! It's not like porto and lisbon. These are big cities. Aveiro is calmer, but you feel great, you feel at home with a great athmosphere and great people. I strongly recommend it. But if you love huge cities, better go somewhere else. Aveiro is about portugal, it's culture and its people. It has pretty young community, basically students.