Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Richard

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I am studying my Master Degree at FEUP.

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

I receive approximately 700 Euros/Month from federal grant, which is enough for me to live here.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

Really awesome. There are a lot of activities going on in the city both during the day and night. There are a lot of international students as well.

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

I would recommend FEUP and FEP which are part of the University of Porto.

What is the food like?

The food is great. You should try franceschina! The local supermarkets (e. g. Lidl, Continente) offer most products necessary to survive.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Porto?

Yes. I paied an administration cost of around 30 euros. However it should not be difficult to find accomodation if you arrive without a contract.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

I am from a scandinavian country, so compared to Porto it's cheap.

You can get a good Portwine(19% alcohol) for about 3.5 Euros. Groceries and foods in the supermarket is also cheap.

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

Most universities offer language courses. However not all are equally good, and you should also look out for intensive courses. The language is difficult for a "non-latin" speaker, especially the pronunciation of words.

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

From my city it was by plane. I guess this applies to most eastern and nothern countries. Also because of the short travelling time. Very convenient.

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

There are a lot of "Bailando" clubs, playing mainstream latino music. However if you are into more house/trance/electronic music you should visit "Gare" located in the city center close to São Bento Train Station. Also Piolho is a good gathering spot of students.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Porto?

There are a lot. However if you are inclined to try out franceschina, you should expect to try it atleast 2 times from different restaurants, as they each prepare the dish differently. Bufete Fase is a really good place though.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

A lot!

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

It is really rainy during winters, so bring a good waterproof and warm jacket.