Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Sam

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

I had heard of Porto before and I came here looking for a new adventure, and I definitely found it!

Source

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

The scholarship is for a year and I receive more than enough to cover rent costs and then extra for food/drinks etc.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

Amazing! It's like one big Erasmus family in which everyone is lovely and there's no bad feelings or animosity whatsoever!

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

Yes! 100%.

What is the food like?

Traditional Portuguese cuisine can be a bit intimidating at first (especially your first Francesinha! ) but if you're brave enough to try it then you'll find an incredible range of flavours and delicacies.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Porto?

My first place was via Uniplaces and they did charge a finders fee, but there are plenty of Facebook groups in which people advertise rooms etc.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

The cost of living is very reasonable - much cheaper than England!

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

There are language courses available and most of the locals, especially the younger generation, speak very good English.

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

By plane, the Porto Airport is easy and many operators fly from there to places across Europe.

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

Galerias! Adega and 77 are also amazing bars, full of friendly people to chat to and make new friends.

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

Pedro dos Frangos is a great restaurant to eat Frango no Churrasco, but there are plenty of cafés and 'tascas' around that are usually family run where you can have good, hearty food for a fair price.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

I would recommend doing a walking tour of the city as the guides are brilliant and they show all the cultural hotspots. For a nice cultural experience you can visit the Palácio da Bolsa and see the fabulous architecture inside.

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

Enjoy it to the maximum and whilst Porto is a friendly and safe city, be careful in the dark around the Trindade area and stay safe!