Erasmus Experience in Lisbon, Portugal by Paul

Why did you choose to go to Lisbon, Portugal?

Because I knew the people are really relax, warm, calm, helpful and the weather it's really nice. The minimum temperature in a night was 4-5 degrees and during the day 13-15 degrees, awesome.

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

My scholarship was around 500 euros per month, but it was almost just a half of my money to spent in Lisbon and Portugal so... It wasn't enough.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lisbon?

It's nice. You can find a lot of pubs, clubs, in Bairro Alto, Pink Street, Alfama. You can drink on the street or to use another thing, nobody has problems with that.

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

Lisbon it's amazing, it's about a lot of art, culture... but for me, it wasn't that beautiful connection between city and university, because the university was tough, but I think depend on also about your study and your career. In final was fine with all, but I spent some time in the university to study a lot.

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What is the food like?

They have a lot of barbeque, fish, hamburgers, sardines, wine. In center of Lisbon it's a bit expensive to eat(15-20 euros a dish) in rest you can find good food for 6-8 euros.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lisbon?

I spent a bit of time to find a room. The easiest way it's to find groups with Erasmus on Facebook or that site, and here to search than uni places or other sites.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon?

I lived in Costa da Caparica, near Lisbon because the University was in that side with Almada, Caparica... The prices to rent a room or an apartment are huge(400 euros a room in Lisbon, 250-300 euros in Almada, Cacilhas, Costa da Caparica). Another problem is the public transport, because they have 6-7 companies and you can't have a bus pass for all the lines, just for lines from one company. In my case, I had my bus pass with all the bus lines in Caparica, Almada and the busses that goes in Lisbon from Costa da Caparica, 35.60euros(10 euros discount because I was student). Depend of you how much you want to spend, but I needed around 800 euros per month to live, a bus pass, to party, trips, etc.

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

I studied in Portuguese. For Spanish, Italian, Romanian I don't think it's really difficult to understand the language. But the professors sent me courses in English and the exams was in English. Also, the people know to speak in English, Spanish, French so it's nice, you can be adapted in few days or few weeks with all.

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

To have a flight from my native city-the easiest way. From Costa da Caparica to Lisbon, the bus.

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

I like a lot of techno-parties, so if like that type of party, you can try in LuxFragil, Ministerium and LX Music(they organize parties in different places).

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

Time-out Market. There you can find a market with a lot of locals with food.

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

You can feel a real free. Good weather, nice people, beautiful city... You can do everything in Lisbon.