Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Patri

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I chose Porto, because it was recommended to me, I was told that I would have a very good time in Portugal and aside from it being an opportunity to learn a language really easily, Porto was also beautiful and there was a lot going on to make sure that Erasmus students could enjoy their stay there to the max.

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

My stay lasted 9 months. And I got around €2, 700, I still don't know exactly how much, because the grants were approved very late this year.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

In Porto, there are parties going on every day, what's more, you can get into different places for free because you're an Erasmus student. It's also worth going to places where Portuguese people go, it'll really improve your Portuguese and you'll be able to make friends with the native people, they'll be able to teach you all the city's secret.

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

I would recommend it 100%. I'm a student of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and I have learned things that I couldn't learn in Spain, as well as getting the opportunity to participate in educational projects about nutrition in schools and hospitals, and I got to consult at different hospital services (paediatrics, external consultation... ).

On the other hand, we have the city, it's beautiful and you never get tired of walking around it. There are lots of new places that you'll discover every day and a huge amount of culture to offer, in addition to concerts in the streets, theatres, a very active Erasmus and university community, which will always have something to do, be it a Monday, Tuesday or Sunday. The partying is great, you have pretty much total freedom to do anything you want.

What is the food like?

The food is really good. The desserts have an especially appetising look to them and they're really good. The most typical dish is Francesinha, you can eat it at a lot of places and you have to discover your favourite place that has the best price for yourself. I recommend Capa Negra, where you can try a Francesinha that is expensive, but incredible and Capitólio, on Avenida dos Aliados, which is cheaper and really tasty too. As for sweet treats, the Pastéis de Belem or de Nata stand out and the Pão de Deus, and Pão de Ló, which you have to try, even though it's less well-known.

Source

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Porto?

I found a flat pretty early on, in June, 3 months before I got there, a girl contacted me through a website to offer me her flat, which I went to visit, I loved it and I ended up staying there.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

Living here costs pretty much the same as it does to live in Granada (that's where I'm from), it's quite a bit cheaper than living in big cities, like Madrid and Barcelona. Places to rent, if you look early, you'll be able to find some for a good price and with the bills included in the rent. Partying is very cheap, if you drink wine and beer. Shopping at the supermarkets is also pretty affordable. I spent €150-200 on living expenses here a month, which included parties, plus €225 on my rent with all the bills included. Public transport, if you get the monthly cartão dourada (transport pass), it's cheap.

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

The language is very easy to learn, if you're enthusiastic and interested in doing so, after 2 months here, you'll surprise yourself with your ability to chat quite a lot and you'll even be able to write. They offer courses for beginners at the university as well as for other people who know a bit more of the language. You can also find private tutors or Portuguese people, with whom you can learn Portuguese in exchange for teaching them Spanish or another language.

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

The easiest way to get here is by metro, the connections are good and the trains come reasonably frequently. Going by bus can also very affordable if you use your cartão andante and you don't buy one ticket at a time. There are a lot of lines and bus stops and if you get used to taking it, you'll almost never have to waste time walking anywhere, although I like going places on foot so I get to see the different details of the city.

Where would you recommend for a night out in Porto?

For going out at night, the party starts at Adega Leonor, behind the most iconic building of the Universidade do Porto, the dean's residence. In this area, there are a lot of bars where you can go for beers, red wine or somersby com abesinto (you have to try it) for a very good price. You can also start at 77, where they serve bottles of beer for 50 cents or at Mirita, where you have to try the chiripití, it's a very special shot and has a secret recipe. If you want to go out where they play pop music, there's More Club and Villa Porto, similarly but with a bit more techno, there's Porto-Tónico, Plano B and Gare Club (the latter is a pure techno club) and for those who are rock fans, there are also some places for you, like Rendez-Vous. If you're looking for something more exclusive, there's also Eskada, where girls get in for free before 1 in the morning on some days. And there are also all of the parties put on by the different universities and faculties. As well as the caloiros, latadas and queimas parties! Eagerly anticipated by all, it's a week when classes aren't on, so university students can party day and night, they set up a huge venue for the ocassion, as well as there being partying happening throughout the streets.

And for eating? What are some of your favourite places to go?

Yes, Capa Negra, Capitólio, Café Campo Lindo... There are loads! Visiting the bodegas is obligatory, and if you're looking for something a bit more glamorous, you can go to Sanderman, where you can get a melted cheese dish with a glass of delicious wine. On the rua das flores you can also find places serving typical Portuguese food, and the lasagnes from a bar just in front of the Medusa are amazing. On this street there's also Nut at the back of Nutellandia, where you can satisfy your sweet cravings for a decent price.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You can visit the Serralves Museum, it's very well recommended, the Casa da Música, the Glass Palace, different lookout points, like the Passeio das Virtudes, the la Vitoria lookout or the Jardim do Morro. As well as the natural history museums, the Clérigos Church, the endless number of churches and the cathedral. One the first Sunday of each month, you can get into the museums for free, there are also a lot of temporary exhibitions at the photography museums or a the cultural centres or artensanal street markets. Don't miss the bridges that connect Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, or the beaches or the great surfing opportunities. Don't forget the Livraria Lello, where J. K. Rowling was inspired to write her Harry Potter saga. And seeing the university veterans with their black caps is also quite the spectacle. They spend almost the whole year testing out the first years, it's very strange to see some of the things they do.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Aachen in the future?

When you get here, don't just stay closed off in your Erasmus lifestyle, go out with Portuguese people, speak Portuguese, don't waste even one day at home being bored, go out for a walk. Porto is beautiful and it's a place worth exploring.