Erasmus Experience in Braga, Portugal

Why did you choose to go to Braga, Portugal?

Uniquely for the University of Minho.

How long does the grant last? How much money do you get for help?

My grant lasted six months and was about 800 euros/month, but I know people who survived with less money. Due to the low prices in Braga, money will hardly be a big problem.

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What's the student environment like in Braga?

The Erasmus student environment is limited to Erasmus students, since Portuguese students don't show any incentives to mingle. It can, however, be fun going out and learning about academic life, along with other Erasmus students.

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

Only to those who have a grant. For those who are paying for their studies, I think there are a lot better cities and universities in Europe.

How's the country's food?

Horrible. I rarely ate in the cantine, and I think that the price did not reflect the quality of the food.

How did you find accommodation

One of the best things about the University of Minho, it's said, is the large availability of accommodation. So, it wasn't hard to get a place in the "Residência Universitária da Universidade do Minho". And, although the conditions in the residence weren't the best, it was nice to stay in Santa Tecla, since almost all the other Erasmus students were also there.

How are the accommodation prices? And the prices in general?

I think that the accommodation could be cheaper according to the state of the block allocated to the student, since some blocks are clearly better than others. Moreover, the price of accommodation, although low (90 euros/month), could have been better, since the environment was a bit lacking in comfort and cosiness. The prices in Braga, however, are some of the lowest that I've come across in the whole of Europe and it's very easy to stay in the city with little money.

What's the language like? Did you attend a language course at the university?

I speak Portuguese (Brazilian) and the language in the university was Portuguese (European). Since we speak the same language, I didn't have many problems with understanding and general questions. However, even for Brazilians it's quite hard understanding the accent of some of the professors... Therefore I always sat at the front of the class.

For foreign students, I know that they have a Portuguese language course on campus. They told me, however, that the level of this course isn't good enough to become fluent in the language.

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What is the cheapest way to get to Braga from your city?

There are direct flights from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo airport) to Lisbon or Porto and it costs around 1000 euros for students. I would recommend flying to Porto, since, on arriving at the Sá Carneiro Airport, you just have to take the metro line E (direction Estádio do Dragão) and get off at Estação Campanhã, where you can get a train to Braga. The metro and train together won't surpass 5 euros.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Braga?

There are very few options regarding night life in Braga: BA (Bar Acadeêmico), Sardinha Biba, Sabão Rosa, some bars. None of them is, in truth, great. In fact, all of them play practically the same music, none of it being catchy. There isn't a lack of things to do, though. You can choose to do something else to get out.

And eating out in Braga? Can you name your favourite places?

Brazilian restaurants! There are two excellent places to eat in the main shopping area of Braga, the Braga Parque. One is the Brasa Rio restaurant, located in the food square; and the other is the restaurant in the Pingo Doce, on the first floor of the shopping centre. Somewhere often used by students staying in the Santa Tecla residence is the Frango Carioca restaurant, which is in the road down from the residence.

And in terms of cultural visits?

The city centre and the Bom Jesus are easy places to find, they're safe and historically important. Visit these places on summer afternoons (avoid going in the winter, since it rains constantly in the city. If you do go out, at least take an umbrella).

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Do you have any advice you'd like to give future students in Braga?

Don't get your hopes up, but I'm sure that this experience will be enriching, and you'll miss it later. This is a fact!