Erasmus Experience in Leiria, Portugal by Karolin

Why did you choose to go to Leiria, Portugal?

Firstly, I had studied Portuguese already a little bit and my great teacher made me to desire to experience Portugal on my own skin. It seemed for me an unexplored, warm place full of surprises. Leiria was the only choice I could choose and I had an opportunity to get to know more about this city because one student from my study field were here before, too.

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

I have been here about 4 months and I'm staying for the second semester, too. I think I get enough money, but a little support would be always good.

What is the student lifestyle like in Leiria?

Of course it depends on certain person how he/she would make the study plan and schedule and how much time he/she would like to spend on studying, partying or just exploring Portugal. But generally people here take everything more easily and don't rush from one place to another, spend very much time together: studying, eating or just hanging around. Every Tuesday and Thursday is "students nights", but "quiet nights" can be only Sundays and sometimes Mondays, too.

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

I really like that it’s not very big city and after some months you can already recognize some familiar faces in the streets. People are active for organizing various events, especially in the sport field. You should be patient with language difficulties, misunderstandings at school and take time to get to use to it. But it’s definitely funny journey and worth it. But generally I definitely support the idea to choose exactly this place.

What is the food like?

Food means jokingly mostly much pastry products and eating french fries and rice together. Actually, there is always something new to try, for example cooked chestnuts Francesinha, very weird seafood, codfish and many cakes and sweet baked goods. E. g, I had to get to use to the thought that I don’t have variable milk products and black bread.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Leiria?

No, I had great teachers who helped us to find advertisements and to organize the meetings, too.

How much does it cost to live in Leiria?

Normally the apartment rent can start from 120 euros without other costs (water, electricity, etc).

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

For me it was easier because I studied it before, but at the beginning it was hard. I hope that EILC language course before the semester will exist next year, too, and right now, during the 1st semester there is opportunity to continue studying Portuguese with teachers from EILC course.

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

Definetely by plane to Lisbon or Porto and then by bus to Leiria.

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

I’m sure that one bar called Anubis will be every Erasmus student´s like the second home in Leiria. But there are clubs like Suite, Beat or Glam with different music nights and I recommend to visit those and of course many other little bars in the centre.

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

One great place to go with a big group is a buffet under the shop Zara and there are many good places beside the river.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The city itself is worth exploring, for example: the stadium (The Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa), the castle, gardens in the centre, the sanctuary, the central square, etc.

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

Don’t think that you will not have winter since November-December, because houses aren’t warmed. But generally take part of as many events as you can, you will meet such a great people and of course get use to the little strong coffees and the meals time if you are from north. If you will have an opportunity to visit the biggest waves in Nazaré in October and try to surf, do it, and be open-minded and prepare yourself to use your time 100%, because the time will fly and you don’t have time to miss your customs, but to make this time to miss it in the future.