Erasmus Experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Peiwen

Why did you choose to go to Coimbra, Portugal?

I studies Portuguese Intensive Course in University of Coimbra, the teaching skill of teacher is fantastic, I can say, University of Coimbra offers the most professional Portuguese teaching in the world.

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

I helped myself, and pay by myself, I did not have scholarship.

What is the student lifestyle like in Coimbra?

Study hard style, no party style.

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

Yes.

What is the food like?

Bacalhaõ is the specialist one, I cannot say it is delicious, it tastes super salty, but it is a tradition.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Coimbra?

No. I just study 5 weeks course, it is difficult to find accommodation, I finally stay in a resident called "Lusa Atena", an en-suite room, it is not expensive, I even say it is cheap.

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

Less than 1000 Euro per month.

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

Most residents in Coimbra do not speak English, the university offers Portuguese teaching course, I say it is professional. I speak Portuguese before arrive Coimbra, but Coimbra life let me even improve Portuguese. Of course, Portuguese is more difficult than English.

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

I live in Taichung, Taiwan, the most economical way is ride by "China Southern airline" and transfer in Paris to Porto, and then get to Coimbra by train.

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

Fato Live Show in Santa Cruz Cafe, it starts from 10 pm and end in 11 pm, it is unique, and traditional Coimbra style.

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

There are many restaurants for students in the top of mountain, surround Coimbra campus. The one impress me the most is a restaurant called "Ze Manuee dos ossos", locates in Rua Beco Do Forno, close to Portagem, it is a wired restaurant, tiny, not very polite but many people queue for it every day. It is a famous, traditional and not expensive restaurant.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Botanic garden, Santa cruz chapel, where is also the tomb of the first king and second king. And heritages of left site, which stands for Queen Isabel's effort.

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

Bring duvet and a mini heater with you if you will spend a winter there, it is never snow in Coimbra, but it is still cold (less than 20 C), local people do not use heater much.

Study at least Portuguese before going, it will be very helpful. Bring some Portuguese learning language books which written in your mother tongue, you can find many professional Portuguese learning books in Coimbra, most of them written in Portuguese.