Erasmus Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Nadine

Why did you choose to go to Lisbon, Portugal?

I chose Portugal, because I study languages, portuguese inlcuded. I wanted to come here, to improve my language skills. Also, I had always made good experiences with portuguese people, they are friendly and open minded. Lisbon was the only partner university of my university, but I also heard it is a beautiful city, with a lot of things to do and see.

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

My scholarship is for five months, of which I get three paid with 270 Euro a month by Erasmus.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

Nice atmosphere in the university.

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

I recommend the city as well as the university, which has a good level of teaching and a nice atmosphere. Lisbon is a beautiful city.

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What is the food like?

The food in Portugal is amazing! You get everything you want. I didn't like fish, before coming here. Now I love it, all the different kinds of Bacalhau. And the sweets are amazing. They have so many different and good sweets. Honestly, for vegetarians it will be a bit more difficult in the restaurant, but if you inform yourself before, you will always find something.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lisbon?

I didn't pay anything to find my location as I already knew some people in Lisbon.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon?

I paid 350 Euro per month for accomodation, 36 for the metro and then between 150 and 200 for food and other stuff. Expect some extra depenses for sightseeing and travels.

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

At my university language courses are available for free at different levels. I already spoke portuguese, when going there, so it was easier for me, but as well I think portuguese is not so hard to learn.

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

The plane.

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

Bairro Alto is always a good choice as there are countless bars. You will find something for every taste and also the drinks are cheap. If you really want to go to a club, there are some at the riverside, which cost about 10-20 Euro entry.

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

There are so many good restaurants in Lisbon, I wouldn't know what to recommend. But, I would recommend not to search in the touristic areas as the food there is normally more expensive and also sometime of lower quality. Try the typical portuguese restaurants.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Close by you have Sintra, with many beautiful castles and Belém with its tower and monastary. In Lisbon there are countless national museums, for example about the azulejos or the Fado music. You will have to the old castle in Lisbon to visit and other old buildings.

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

Bring warm clothes, the portuguese people do not always have heating and almost never good isolated houses, because in Portugal it doesn't get cold, which is true. It doesn't get too cold, but without heating and when the inside temperature in winter is the same as outside that is what means cold for me.