Erasmus Experience in Guimarães, Portugal by Franziska

Why did you choose to go to Guimarães, Portugal?

Because my university is the partner university to Universidad do Minho and i wanted to learn Portuguese.

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

The scholarship is 3 months long and 250€

What is the student lifestyle like in Guimarães?

Many trips to beautiful places, meeting a lot of interesting people from so many different countries and having very nice coordinators at the university

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

Yes

What is the food like?

Not so varying. Mostly fish or chicken at the canteen of the university but always tasty and fresh.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Guimarães?

No

How much does it cost to live in Guimarães?

400€ per month for eating and living and partying and trips

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

There are language courses in every level available. Portuguese is not easy but not impossible to learn

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

With the plain from Munich to Porto and then with the bus to Guimaraes

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

Salado Bar in the city center

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

Tapas e Manias - very good restaurant with good prices and delicious food and home made sangria

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Penha, the historical city center, the castel

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

It is a nice and small city and that is why it is really calm. You can't go partying every night. So if you just want to drink every night this is the wrong city. But if you like a beautiful little city with very nice people you are right. Be careful it rains a lot in Guimaraes