Where to stay in Funchal: SASUMa Student Residence

It's summer holiday time and that means many of Erasmus students are about to start their new adventure. I have received some messages where some students were asking for a piece of advice when talking about accommodation in Funchal.

This article is meant to help especially these foreign students who are going to study to Funchal, however, this article might bring a tip for accommodation even to travellers or anyone who is about to visit Madeira.

SASUMA dormitory in Funchal

Residencia Universitaria SASUMa is one of the student dormitories that can be found in Funchal. This one is especially for students who study at University of Madeira (UMa).

It's located in Zona Velha (one of the oldest streets of the town) and even though that in the past was not the best place to walk by, nowadays it's quite safe, so you don't have to worry too much. I think this is one of the best places where you can live. The street is full of art, there is a beach right in front of the dormitory and the city centre is close. Moreover, there is also Anadia mall, where you can buy food in Pingo doce or you can go to a supermarket called Continente. These supermarkets are approximately ten minutes walk from the dormitory.

Picture: Rua Santa Maria is full of art.

Tip: If you want to head back home with heavy bags full of food from the grocery, avoid Rua Santa Maria (the street where your accommodation is). Rua Santa Maria is always incredibly busy during the day and also in the evenings. As it's full of restaurants and souvenirs shops, it's also full of tourists walking slowly to enjoy the street, so it's almost impossible to pass.

Moreover, no matter you walk with those heavy food bags... the employees of restaurants will keep inviting you to go in.

Application process to SASUMa dormitory

If you want to live in this student residence, you have to apply in advance through the website of SASUMa. They inform you about what steps to do when applying.

It takes quite a lot of time to get a response but once you are accepted you can go to Madeira with peace of mind. In case you haven't been accepted (because it got fully booked), give it another try and get in touch with SASUMa again, as some students finally change their mind and decide not to live at the dormitory. However, if you need a place to stay, be sure to check the accommodation section or look for roommates.

How much does accommodation in SASUMa cost per month?

There are some people who apply for scholarships, which helps paying for accommodation. However, I guess it's nothing that you should hope for as an Erasmus student. Erasmus students (and other students without the scholarship) pay €160-175 per month. If you arrive in the middle of a month, you will be charged less, of course.

Although, pay attention! Upon arrival, you are supposed to pay a deposit which is also €160-175. If you leave the room after your Erasmus clean and without damages, you will be given this amount back. It's even possible to pay the last month of your stay with that deposit. You should ask for it because I know many students who were almost broke by the end of Erasmus so it helped them a lot (it's kind of “not paying for the accommodation”).

Picture: Residencia Universitaria SASUMa.

Cleaning service in SASUMa

In case you leave the room dirty, you have to pay €15 extra for a cleaning service. You can just ask at the reception for a broom and “kit limpeza” (cleaning set), sign a sheet of paper that it's you who is “renting it” (for free) and when you are done, bring it back and sign the sheet again. If you don't feel like cleaning, you can aso ask at the reception for a cleaning service during your stay).

How far is SASUMa from the university?

If you like walking, you'll get excited. It's approximately 40-60 minutes by foot. I must say that I used to walk the whole way to the university and back every time I was at the dormitory. Although, heavy rains can come unexpectedly (which is also what happened to me once when I was in the half of the way).

If you don't like walking, you might walk just 5-8 minutes to get to a bus stop and catch the bus that will take you really close to the University of Madeira. The bus tickets cost €1,5 (more or less) but I suggest that you get a bus pass with ten or more prepaid tickets. The cost of the 10-journey pass is €12 plus €0,5 for the card, which you buy only once and then recharge. Of course, there are also other pass options.

Picture: It can start raining heavily (without expecting it).

Beddings in SASUMa

I know bed linen and this kind of stuff gets too much space in a suitcase where you have clothes and similar essential things for your one or two semesters stay.

When you arrive and register at the reception, they will give you those beddings. So you don't need to bring a duvet or a pillow, neither bed linen.

However, if you bring it, just make sure you don't sign any sheet of paper saying that you are receiving these objects (it happened to my friend, who after all had to explain that she brought it from home).

You will be provided with two tiny blankets (or, better to say one blanket and a kind of a sheet), one real sheet and a pillow with a pillow case. It's all right, but there were a few cold nights when I had to sleep with warm socks and a jumper.

Visitors at SASUMa

If you are not an Erasmus student (it means you are just visiting the island or you are a friend or a parent of the Erasmus student), you might ask at the dormitory whether there is a bed available. You would pay more money (they charge everyone when staying, even for just few days) but it's still fine. However, sometimes they are full, and sometimes they have a free bed or a room.

Picture: The dormitory is well located, so even if travellers look for accommodation, they might consider SASUMa as an option.

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