Male, 26-year-old PhD student looking for accommodation in Lisboa

My name's Jose and I'm an PhD student who's moving to Lisboa in November. I'm going to spend at least 6 months in the capital and I would really like to check some rooms. I am from Spain, I speak English and French fluently, but I intend to learn Portuguese. My hobbies are reading and writing, but I also love cinema and photography. I'm quite a bohemian guy.
I am a 26-year-old, friendly and easygoing person. I am a social smoker, do I don't mind people smoking around me. I just love animals and music, I listen to music all day long. I'm working on my thesis about commercial translation. Given that I won't get to Lisboa until 8th November I would like to know whether it's possible for a friend to take a look at the rooms.

I'm looking for a bright, simple room in a central appartment near Bairro Alto and Alfama. I also look forward to meeting other international students and get to know the city.