Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by María Josefina

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

In reality it was a practical reason: the language (I had already lived in Brazil for 4 months).

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How long does the scholarship last? How much financial help do you receive?

My scholarship (Erasmus mundus action 2) lasts 34 months, is a complete doctorate and they provide €1, 000/month.

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What is the student scene like in Porto?

There's a bit of everything, there are the ones that think you are joke for being on Erasmus and the ones that don't, are all those students from the praxe, that someone doesn't stop understanding, some Master's students seem to go to the university to to do painting and others leave you with your mouth open by how good their research is.

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

Yes. The city is beautiful, safe, well connected with public transport. The university really cares about the foreign students. The faculty I'm in is (the Nutrition Faculty ) I wouldn't recommend it because it's very disorganised, but I understand that it's an exception within the university.

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What is the country's food like?

Reeeeeeaaaaally good. Not only the flavour, it's also (I know it from being in the faculty that I am in) one of the dietary one of the most balanced diets on the continent. It's easy to find a variety of meats, fruits, etc. The bread, the wine and the cheese are always good and cheap.

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Did it cost you anything finding accommodation in Porto?

No. At the beginning I was in university halls, now I am in a apartment in an area centred in the city.

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How much does living in Porto cost?

I pay per month: €350 to rent ( an apartment with 1 room, just me), €65 on electric, gas, water, telephone, internet, €130 on food, €35 on transport. The sum of €580. But if you get a place in university halls, it can be like €200 for rent, without having to pay for bills, but with the most of the spending on food because they don't have a kitchen. Likewise, eating in the university cantines costs €2. 40. It's also easy to rent rooms, where you have the possibility of cooking, I think that they are around €200-250.

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What is the language like? Did you go to some kind of course at the university?

Yes, I went to a course for six months in the Writing Faculty. I had a level test before. The course cost me something more than €220.

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What is the cheapest way of getting to Porto from your city?

Hahahahahahahahahaha. Buenos Aires (about €80, and 6h of travel), and then a taxi or other transport from the bus terminal to the international airport (€15 y 30min) Then, a plane Buenos Aires-Madrid (12h intercontinental flight, some 10, 000km) and another Madrid-Porto (1h05), with a total cost of €1200 if you can buy the flight 6 months in advance (I'm not joking). On arrival, you take the metro to the city centre (€1. 85).

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What places would you recommend for going out partying in Porto?

Galerías París! It's a street full of bars.

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And for eating out in Porto? Can you mention your favourite places?

Unfortunately I know how to get to these places, but I don't know what they are called (in general, tiny places). Generally, I believe it is necessary to try the francesinha, o bacalhao, à bras, cod with cream, Portuguese custard tarts, Aveiro soft eggs, and the wafer cake.

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And what is it like to visit culturally?

Library Librería lelho e irmao, the tower and church Igreja dos Clérigos, park Praça da Riveira, riveira de Gaia, the Santa Catarina street at the weekend ( if you strike it lucky you can find "tunas cantando"), church Igreja de São Fransisco, going up to the funicular dos Guindaes, museum ( and gardens) of Serralves, guided visit to Casa da Música, Avenida dos aliados, the São Bento train station... and walking through the whole city is beautiful and safe.

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Do you have any advice you want to give other students in Porto?

In Winter it rains a lot and it's windy: bring suitable shoes and don't buy a really good umbrella because the wind will completely break it. The city has a lot of ups and downs so don't use a bike much, it's better to use public transport.