Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Javier

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I didn't actually choose it, but I loved getting to explore it.

Source

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

I was there for 6 months with a grant of €400 a month, I think they've reduced the grant since then.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

It's great, the universities make a big effort to welcome foreign students, Portuguese people themselves are very welcoming. There are all different kinds of activities to do: surfing, football, partying...

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

I'd really recommend the city, it's very cheap, the food is good and you can have fun, you feel part of the city. Regarding the university, I was at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, they treated me very well and they were always there to help me.

Source

What is the food like there?

It's really good, it's closest cuisine to Spanish cuisine that I've seen on my travels, it's very varied, they have vegetables, meat and fish, they serve good portions for a good price.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Porto?

Apartment hunting was easy, but it's important to visit flats and houses before you finalise anything, there are a lot of places in bad condition. I found a place through some adverts posted in the street. I'd recommend getting accommodation as close to the centre of the city as possible, it's better to have to take the metro to get to university than to take it to visit the city.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

I spent about €600 a month.

Source

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

The language is easy, it has similar structures to Spanish, the university offered me classes, but I didn't go on any since they were held in a different campus to the one I was on, I took some classes independently at an academy, called sabiamente.

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

Coming from Pamplona was a complicated affair, I went by train to Madrid and from there I got a bus to Porto, it took 14 hours.

Source

Where would you recommend for a night out in Porto?

I would recommend the "Galería de París" street and its surrounding area.

And to eat in Porto? What are some of your favourite places to go?

The Capa Negra is great.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Everything there is worth seeing, the beach is also great for a visit. I'd recommend making the most of the Erasmus trips they offer here to other cities in Portugal, Sintra, Guimaraes, etc.

Source

Do you have any advice for students coming to Porto in the future?

Enjoy yourself, learn a lot and meet a lot of people.