Erasmus Experience in Faro, Portugal by Polina

Why did you choose to go to Faro, Portugal?

Because I wanted to go somewhere with a good climate and affordable prices.

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

My scholarship was for 3, 5 months. I got paid 490 euros per month (Erasmus Placement). I came back for 2 more months for a short term scientific mission funded by the European Union.

What is the student lifestyle like in Faro?

Due to the fact that Faro is a small city, its easier to have a full but also relaxed schedule. You can manage attending the University and also having an active social life. It's really easy to make new friends and get to know them really well. I made amazing friends in a short period of time.

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

Yes, I would.

What is the food like?

For starters, the food in the cafeteria is quite normal and really cheap (2, 50E) for its quality and quantity. In general the cuisine is based on fish (bacalao) and some types of risotto. As local fast food can be considered the tostas (tosts). You can find meat and fish in really good prices so its manageable to also cook home.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Faro?

Not really. I found some possible apartments on the Internet and booked appointments to visit them. I stayed at the first one so I wasn't tired of searching at all. A valid rent is around 160-200 euros per month.

How much does it cost to live in Faro?

I would say that my monthly "pay" pretty much covered my expenses (minus the trips). 500 per month provided me with not an extravagant way of life but I could have an active social life.

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

The language is easy for Spanish, French and Italians. The base is pretty similar. But the pronunciation is tricky. There are language courses provided by the University.

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

By plane. Faro has a small airport but it has some Ryanair destinations that are quite economical (through Brussels or Dusseldorf).

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

• There is a plaza named Ditadura. There lies one of the few rock bars with live music some of the days. It's also called Ditadura (https://www.facebook.com/).
• One amazing bar is Os Artistas (https://www.facebook.com/). It's on the way to the castle.
• There is also another pub that's called Varandas bar (https://www.facebook.com/).

I mentioned the alternative ones that are harder to find. Clubs will be an easier target for sure.

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

In the Ditadura plaza right beside the Ditadura live club there is a small tavern. With 10 euros/per person you can have a balanced meal and quite a lot of their handmade white sangria. What's really difficult to find is a place that's open every day of the week and has some people inside. Maktostas is such a place (near the O Seu Cafe). Famous for the huge tostas and the cheap and healthy soups. You can have coffee there and also alcohol. So it's an easy solution for the whole day.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Faro has few cultural sites. The main one is of course the castle that is in the center of the city. Other than that there is the Church that on the inside is decorated with monks bones (behind O Seu Cafe). It's quite the sight.

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

Enjoy the day as the night life that provides you. In general the life there is relaxed but with a good planing you can have a good academic year as well as some mean partying. It's really easy to know new people so you don't have to be worried at all. Just try and be independent and energetic. Don't waste this precious time!

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