Erasmus Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Krystal

Why did you choose to go to Lisbon, Portugal?

I chose Lisbon, Portugal for many reasons. Overall it´s very inexpensive although you need to be wary of price gouging with local/independent vendors as a tourist. The Time Out markets are a bit pricey for Portugal, but they provide an array of really tasty authentic Portuguese gastronomy plus a few others- it´s sooo good! Portugal is a coastal country and Lisbon is particularly close to the Atlantic, so a combination of both the ocean and forest provide diverse scenery and fun. The weather is raved about by most with hot days and cool nights during the summertime. The public transportation in Lisbon is great with the train, metro, buses, trollies, etc., plus it´s a walkable city; I highly recommend the Zapping card which is very efficient because it works on all the public transportation except taxis; Uber is available too. There´s nightlife for everyone, from an assortment of food venues, theaters, and lounges and nightclubs.

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

N/A.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

The student accommodations in Lisbon are far from glamorous and many in my class, including myself, found the cleaning standards to be subpar. However, most of the assigned student tour guides were enthusiastic and supportive.

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

Yes, the University of Lisbon provided me with an overall nice experience.

What is the food like?

The food at the university was very inexpensive but not the greatest. You can get a decent meal at the right place for approximately €5; spend a little more and you can get a great meal. Portugal is world-renowned for its fish and seafood- I´ve never liked fish, but I liked and even really enjoyed fish in Portugal.

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lisbon?

My home university organized everything and with an all-inclusive price minus the cost of food.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon?

Reliable locals I befriended said you should be able to get a decent apartment with everything included for €500 per month, more if in the city center. Lisbon has become popular for tourists and the locals have caught on, so price gouging has become an issue.

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

The language was very difficult for all of my classmates including the native Spanish-speakers and yes Portuguese is very different from Spanish. The Portuguese accent is different from that spoken in Brazil; apparently the Portuguese understand the Brazilians, but not vice-versa. I think that once you can grasp the accent/ sounds you can start to actually understand and learn the language. By the sixth month living in Portugal, traveling on public transportation regularly, and taking Portuguese classes in conjunction with practicing speaking I managed to learn pretty well. I found that the locals don´t speak English as much or as well as they say they do so it´d be very beneficial for you to learn a little Portuguese especially not to be taken advantage of being a tourist.

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

I´m from the U. S. so I flew to Lisbon, Portugal. Upon landing you can take the metro for which I highly recommend buying the Zapping card if your university doesn´t provide it for you.

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

Cais do Sodré area, Urban Beach nightclub (smoking allowed inside), Lux nightclub (very cool with multiple floors), Bairro Alto area, etc.

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

Mercado Da Ribeira, Pastéis de Belém, Senhor Vinho (very expensive; known as best fado restaurant; no kids allowed), Ao26 (vegan), Santini, etc.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Check the following page, click here (only available in English).

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

Bring walking shoes for different occasions! Lisbon is not a high-heel-friendly city. Don´t forget an electricity converter and a bag to carry everyday belongings that can go over your head (e. g. messenger bag) so it can´t be ripped off of you (basic tourist tip). I´m from the U. S. and the local water was fine for me to drink. You can save a lot of money by buying food at the supermarket (El Corte Inglés is the most expensive). If you rent a car, are into nature and the best organic food, and have some money to spend, go to Quinta do Arneiro (click here). For most restaurants, it´s highly recommended to make reservations for dinner.

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