Erasmus experience in Coimbra, Portugal by Yas

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Why did you choose to go to Coimbra, Portugal?

I also had Lisbon as a destination but I used to live in a small city and I decided to go to Coimbra after having researched it a bit online. I think what struck me most was not having read a single bad opinion about it, and above all, the academic tradition I had already heard about.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive as financial support?

In my case, it was a full course and I received the scholarship in two payments: one in January and another after having finished the stay. Right now I do not remember the amount either since the money came from three different institutions and each one made the payment separately.

How is student life in Coimbra?

This is where I could spend days writing:

The Universidade de Coimbra was created in 1290, it is one of the oldest in Europe. This fact added to its educational quality especially in terms of research and its appointment as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO make it more likely that it is the most prestigious university in Portugal, so students from all over the country go there to study their degrees.

University city par excellence = party in abundance. They call it the "Portuguese Salamanca", so you can get an idea of what is here. Bars with shots for 10 cents, beer is almost given away, parties organized under the approval of the University in which they give alcohol and a long etc...

Throughout Portugal, there is a tradition of wearing the so-called "academic costumes" that are different from the region in which you find yourself. In Coimbra, the hallmark is the cape. To be able to dress the suit you have to pass "praxe" which are like the hazing here. The first year of university is the "beast" until you are baptised as "caloiro" (fresher) after the classes, in what is called the Festa das Latas (or Latada). The baptism takes place to padrinho or madrinha throwing water from the Mondego River over your head with a potty. From that moment you will be "praxed" and you have to do ridiculous things typical of hazing. Of course, there is nothing excessively cruel, for that they have a Code of Praxe in which it is specified that they can order a caloiro to do and what they cannot.

The end of the hazing indicates "or bank of Cabra", the Goat is what is called the tower of the Faculty of Management, undisputed symbol of the city. That is when the most important academic week of the year takes place: La Queima das Fitas.

During all the years of your degree you are putting together tapes (fitas in Portuguese) that you carry in the academic paste (a leather folder that is almost part of the suit) of the corresponding color of your faculty (if you study medicine it is yellow, if you are studying law it is red, etc... ) and when that week arrives they are burned (one by classmates, another by a special person, etc... ). There is a huge parade full of floats from different courses that distribute alcohol and free food. When you finish the race it is also common for you to tear your suit and cape so do not be surprised if you see people (semi) naked in the street.

To say that J. K. Rowling was in Coimbra (I think her grandfather lived in Portugal) and that was where Harry Potter was inspired by this whole issue of the capes (right now we think otherwise, we are there and we think since we are in Hogwarts). In fact, I have also read that the colours of the different houses of Hogwarts correspond to those of the main faculties of the University of Coimbra (of this I have no idea, I am not a faithful follower of the saga).

In short, the student environment is brutal, you are going to feel what it is like to be at the University. As a result of this, I forgot to talk about the Republics, which are fraternal types. There are many, they throw parties where they give out sangria and if you become a guest of one of them you can go there to eat or live there. For this, a member of the Republic has to invite you. I have lived right in front of a Republic and those big parties that they put on were epic. Especially last year because several celebrated their "millennium. "

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

Definitely! It's the best place I can think of to do Erasmus. Pretty, partying, cheap...

How is the country's food?

Personally, I have loved the food. Bacalhau (cod fish) is prepared in a thousand different ways and arroz de feijão (rice with tomoatoes and beans) has become one of my favourite dishes.

One thing that surprised me a lot is that they accompany all the food with rice, the Spaniards were accustomed to potatoes, it was at least shocking.

Did you find it difficult searching for accommodation in Coimbra?

Not at all. I had asked for a week in a residence while I was looking for a flat and it only took me two days to find one. Of course, open mentality: 90% of the houses are old and old to share with 10 more people, but hey, patience, which always ends up finding something decent and for an affordable price.

Also, when you see ads on the Internet or other check that the "senhorio" (landlord) does not live there, otherwise, you will have no freedom, so forget parties and other things.

How much does it cost to live in Coimbra?

There are more expensive places than here. For example, shampoo and those things are quite expensive there. Meat is also more expensive. In general, shopping at the supermarket may be a little more expensive than here (VAT is higher).

However, eating out and going out is much cheaper than here. In the university canteens, for example, you have first and second course, drink, bread and dessert for 2. 40 € (incredible yes, do not expect delicacies either).

How's the language? Did you go to a course at the University?

I had no idea of Portuguese when I went and now, besides talking about everything, I understand perfectly, almost as if they speak to me in Spanish. You end up getting used to it, it does not involve any kind of difficulty.

I did a course at the University. They are special courses for Erasmus and are free; they are very good.

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

From my city, I flew to Lisbon and from there to Coimbra by train or bus, which is two hours and a bit of travel. In my opinion, the bus is better since it is cheaper (about € 12 with a student discount) and you also have free wifi during the whole trip.

What sites would you recommend to go out to party in Coimbra?

Praça Republic zone: Noites Longas: alternative music. Cheap drinks (but bad, very bad). Rock Planet. Pop Fresh. To drink some beer or anything else: Tropical, Academic or Cartola.

Sá da Bandeira area: full of bars to choose from. The Erasmus bar par excellence on that street is the CCB.

Sé Velha area: Bigorna (another mythical erasmus bar. Packs of cheap beers, ideal to be outside in the summer drinking something because the bar is tiny). Cabido (try the sangria with absinthe, the dragão and the egg shot that I do not know what it's called, they put on Spanish music if you ask, full of Erasmus too).

NB: more posh atmosphere, more expensive drinks, but the place is huge and very good.

Military Manutenção Zone: Shots and Seven.

With regard to this partying: in each bar, you usually have a minimum consumption. At the entrance, they give you a cartão, which is a card on which the waiters put everything you ask for and at the end when you leave you pay for everything. Beware of that because if you lose it you receive a € 50 fine.

And to eat in Coimbra? Can you list your favourite places?

• Athens: the best franchise in Coimbra (at the level of the best of Porto). Mandatory visit.
• The Serenata.
• Zé Manel dos Ossos (you have to book, there are only three tables and it's always full but it's totally worth it and it's a very picturesque place).
• Italy (expensive, but it has nice views of the Mondego River and the food is good).
• Fangas.

And what about cultural visit?

The whole Alta area (University, Sé Velha, Sé Nova), Praça República and Jardín da Sereia. The Baixa and the Mondego (Quinta das Lágrimas, Portugal dos Pequeninos). Botanical Garden. Penedo da Saudade. Conimbriga Break Coasts Arch of Almedina...

Of course, go and listen Fado (the fado of Coimbra, unlike the typical Portuguese fado, is only sung by men. ) Always dressed in the black cloak of the university suit and singing songs to love and saudades. University weeks (Latada and Queima das Fitas) always start with a serenade, which is like a kind of outdoor fado concert, it's a very solemn act, almost like a mass. Applauding is bad manners, you have to cough ( it's like applause in Spain).

Any advice you want to give to future students in Coimbra?

Only to enjoy that magnificent city and the experience that will fly by without you even noticing.