Why do you need to experience Erasmus?!

My Porto journey

Been, lived, enjoyed, experienced

I am thankful I could spend last 5 months of my Erasmus life in such a beautiful city as Porto. The city is full of amazing places to visit & discover, food to try, wines to taste and moments to live. It’s known from its specific, climatic old buildings that create a special atmosphere around. Portuguese people are nice and kind, language funny and beautiful. Porto was awarded few times for The Best European Destination in 2012, 2014 and 2017 for a reason: it’s just only one of its kind. It’s impossible to copy that city! Remember, you cannot finish your exploring journeys without seeing that city. I’m 100% sure you will like it!

In my blog I will explain you step by step how to prepare best yourself for the short or long trip to Porto. It will be full of useful information and photos. I will give you all details and try or convince you to see this fantastic place. I will take into account:

1. Erasmus documents & procedures step by step
2. Accommodation
3. Transport
4. Food
5. Nightlife
6. Erasmus Student Network
7. People
8. Language
9. University (FEP; fac. of economics)
10. General costs
11. Main places in the city
12. Cities around worth visit

But for all this we have time, don’t worry. As for now I will tell shortly about my experience as Erasmus student and as I mentioned above I will try to convince you to participate in the program because its worth.

5 months. You would say it’s impossible to know the city in such short time, but I will tell you, yes it is! And that’s exactly what I did. Beginnings are always hard when you come to new place, don’t know anybody and anything. Probably you saw in your home city many Erasmus people, but now it’s your time, you are the freshman and it’s your great chance to use it as much as you can! Make place in your heart for new friends, hold your savings because you will spend all of them here, and what’s the most important, prepare yourself and spot in your memory for unforgettable moments. It will not be easy at the beginning, especially if you are the kind of person that is a bit scared of new experiences, of being in new, unknown and uncertain situations and places but I can assure you that you will find yourself fast in that city. If you are not sure about the people, I can calm you - people coming for Erasmus are mostly very friendly, open­-minded, cheerful, with lots of crazy ideas, so you will easily make there many new friends, from which some of them will stay in your heart for a long time and who knows, maybe even forever. At the airport while leaving luggage receiving place I got a map of the city so you will not get lost. At metro stations there are often security guys willing to help you whenever you have problem with buying a ticket (especially at the airport).

But what I owe the most is Erasmus Student Network – student organization made of amazing and helpful and totally crazy people that takes care of Erasmus students: organize meetings that helps you to know better other Erasmus people, prepare city tours, surf courses, dancing classes, bridge climbing, pub crawls, parties, Portuguese night, carnival, events where you can listen to local music, try Porto wines and food, and much more. During my semester it consist of around 15 positively twisted people, that lead events and helped us to have fun, while enjoying that parties with us.

Advantages of Erasmus:

• You meet many new people; you can know better their life, culture, language
• You learn/improve language of a country in which you do your Erasmus
• You can travel a lot around, and its way cheaper than if You would go from Your home place, especially if You rent a car with your friends and share costs
• You have great opportunity to make yourself more independent
• You enjoy the different atmosphere of a place you live in
• You're just enjoying your time
• And much much more, that you will discover during your Erasmus semester

So shortly, even if you are a tiny scared, or maybe not sure about leaving your comfort zone and letting yourself to move to another place; make sure I will do everything to convince you to go! Because in my opinion, and many many people that experienced it it’s the ‘’Best time of my life’’. Dont hesitate then and lets go!

That’s where I am stopping for now, but stay tuned and look for more.

Photo gallery