Erasmus Experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Oscar

Why did you choose to go to Coimbra, Portugal?

I chose it because of the courses they offered. I didn't know very much about the city, but it turned out to be one of the best places to live and study.

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

It depends on your university plans. I personally stayed for 9 months (10 actually). Same counts for the money you receive. It depends on the country you come from and the university you're attending. I know some people could get as much as 500 euro per months, and others not more than 200.

What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

Pretty active. They have a huge and long tradition as a university. You should be expecting weird traditions that you'll find obsolete and cruel, or interesting and funny, but also 3rd millennium parties style and student organizations.

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

Definitely!

What is the food like?

There's a lot of things that you can eat if you can cook, but if you want to try some Portuguese meals get ready for a lot of meat, cod fish, potatoes and rice.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Coimbra?

Nope. You can ask for addresses at the AAC, but anyway there's plenty of papers around the city with infos about accommodations. Get ready to speak Portuguese though.

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

It depends on your lifestyle. You can spend a lot but also not at all. And if it allows you to do so, then I guess Coimbra is pretty cheap.

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

There are language courses that you can follow, plus if you avoid speaking too much with your fellow compatriots you'll learn Portuguese quite fast.

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

Plane and then train/bus.

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

There are so many bars, discos and pubs in Coimbra. Just choose a music genre and you're served.