Erasmus Experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Iris

Why did you choose to go to Coimbra, Portugal?

Because I liked Portugal in general, and of course because of the climate. :)

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

It lasted for 5 months (February - June), and I received 310 euro/month from the Belgian government. The rest was sponsored by my parents.

What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

Everyone is very social, you make friends very easily among other Erasmus people. There are a lot of parties, especially when you go to the bars at Sé Velha. The Portuguese students are sometimes not very approachable (because they don't all speak English), but the ones who are, are very nice, friendly and helpful people!

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

Absolutely! It's the best experience I ever had, the city has a lot of opportunities for (international) students. I think it's the best destination there is, if you want to have a real Erasmus experience. The university receives a lot of exchange students, that was clear, because the teachers and administrative people were very helpful and flexible.

What is the food like?

You have some special things you really have to try: francesinha, bacelhau... And you can also find Pizza Hut and McDonald's at Praça da Republica :)

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Coimbra?

I first looked up some places on the internet, and made a selection of rooms I wanted to go watch in person. I traveled to Coimbra in advance, so yes, for me it has cost me an extra journey. But you can also look for a place when you arrive, it really isn't hard to find accommodation close to the university.

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

I think less than in other cities/countries. It's hard to say, but I think around 50 to 75 euro a week.

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

Portuguese is not very easy, especially the pronunciation can be difficult. And yes, there are language courses available, though I would recommend to get accustomed to the language before you arrive, because not everyone speaks English or French in Coimbra.

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

I had to travel from Antwerp, Belgium. I took a plane to Porto and then a train to Coimbra. You can also take a bus from Porto to Coimbra (Rede Expressos), that might be a bit more economical.

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

All students go to the bars at Sé Velha, it's on the old university hill. Bars like Cabido or Bigorna are the ones I used to go to. But if you want to go to a club, there are also opportunities to go, mostly around Praça da Republica (NB), where you can also find several nice bars.

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

Down the hill and at the riverside, you have some really typical Portuguese restaurants, also very cheap if you choose the right ones (for example at praça do commercio: very student-friendly restaurants).

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Because the University of Coimbra is very old and famous, the university hill with the faculty of law and the "Cabra", are certainly worth a visit. And the monastery on the other side of the river is also nice. If you want to do something cultural, you should also really go listen to some Fado music, and the student life allows for a lot of traditional festivities all over the year, so that's a unique experience as well (Cortejo, Queima das fitas, Serenata)

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

Enjoy, because you will arrive in a traditional student setting with really nice people. It's an experience that you won't have in other cities!