Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Paula

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I'm not doing an Erasmus exchange here. I'm on a predoctoral stay. I came here, because a professor from the Universidade do Porto is linked to the subject that I'm studying.

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

It lasted three months, and I got €30 a day.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

Well, the city has the same student atmosphere as the city. As a student, you can benefit from a lot of discounts, and even more if you're under 25 and you have a Porto ESN card.

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

Yes. The atmosphere is good. The city is very welcoming. The university can come across as quite chaotic in the beginning, but it's actually very well organised. The lifestyle there itself is pretty laid-back.

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What is the food like there?

It's good. You can find anything you might want. The stews there are delicious. The traditional dish francesinha is good, but it's way too rich and filling. Fish there is very fresh, I'd recommend you go to Matosinhos.

Was it difficult to find accommodation in Porto?

A bit. In the end, I went for a room that I found on an accommodation website for flats and rooms.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

For a room in the city centre, I paid €260 including all the bills, although you can find places for cheaper. The university's student residence is also pretty well priced. Shopping at the supermarkets costs more or less the same as the ones in Spain. Going out to eat can be cheap, there are menus for €6. Coffee and beer is cheaper too. To get to the city centre, a ticket for the public transport costs €1. 20. 20

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

It was a bit more complicated than I'd expected it to be. I went on a course for the term at the literature department. It costs €240 for students.

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

By bus or train, but it takes hours and hours and hour... So I came by plane.

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Where would you recommend for a night out in Porto?

Piolho, Adega Leonor, Plano B, Paris Galleries... .

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

Café Piolho, Brasa dos Leões, Café Santiago.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are so many museums and monuments. They're usually free at the weekend. There are usually discounts for students on weekdays.

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