Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Camilla

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I chose Porto because I did not know Portugal from before and Porto seemed like a very interesting place to get to know better. I also had heard before that the people are really friendly, which later was proved to be true.

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

I received the Erasmus scholarship, about 1200 euros + 500 euros a month from the Finnish government.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

There was a lot going on and the local ESN was very active and organized all sorts of events.

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

I would definitely recommend Porto for other student, it's a great city!

What is the food like?

The food is often very traditional and the fransesinha is something you definitely should try!

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

My apartment was about 240 €/month, most of them around that price I think.

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

The language is quite hard to understand, especially the northern accent but the University offers a language course.

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

From my city, Helsinki, by plane is about the only reasonable option. Flights are usually 300€

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

The students usually hang out at Piolho and the Erasmus bar nearby.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

The old part of the city, the Ribeira district as well as the Atlantic coast.