Erasmus Experience in Porto, Portugal by Věra

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

It was very fast decision, I passed around ESN office in my university and I asked for options ...they told me that I have 2 days to make decision...first I was dreaming about Italy ...but finally I choose Porto...and It was my best decision in my life ...I am still here :) everybody is in love with this charmant city...the best city for erasmus ...and I choose also bc I wanted to learn surf... :) night life is the best here, this temperament of people you will never find in the North of Europe :)

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

I spent here one year as erasmus student and 8 months as erasmus doing my internship programme, money for studies and for internship are different, for studies I received around 350 for month and for internship 520 for month. It depend from which country students come, bc for everybody could be opinion of the prices for life different...of course is good to have some reserve on your account - bc 350 for month is not so much...

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

Porto is crazy city, parties are from monday until sunday, lot of erasmus and other events...surfing...lot of sport options...cultural options...but party life is really hard :) hehe, you have to come and breath that :) and lot of dinners with friends...you will love it :)

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

Of course ...especially for Erasmus :)

What is the food like?

you can try really delicious sea food...there are two big markets - Mercado the Bolao and Mercado the Matoshinos, here you can buy fresh ones :) you have to try Francezinha, bacalhau com natas , cafe with pastel de nata and many others....

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Porto?

No, I was first 3 weeks in Braga in University Minho for a language course, during that time I checked some ads and one day I went here personally to see 3 appartments and I make dicision, but next semestr I change house and for 2. year also, I am living still living here. I can recomend pages like www.olx.pt or www.custojusto.pt

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

depend how is your opinion about life ...if you want to trevel a lot, partying a lot...around 450/ month minimum I think, depend how much you spend for accomodation...

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

language depend from which country you are comming, for us is little bit different but not so hard...yes there are couses, e.g. in Faculdade de Letras and others...maybe also your university will offer you course or you can choose class like your subject...

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

From Czech Republic with Ryanair from Brno, Ostrava or Bratislava (you have to change flight - through Milano or London - from Bratislava there are more options...through Bruxel, Palma de Mallorca, Paris, ....

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

Piolho - first - place close to the Retoria building - here start all night life, lot of bars are situated there and you can meet lot of students here, and than you just move to Rua Galeria de Paris or Rua Candidu Rais - the 2 party streets ...but there is much more clubs around Porto, Night life is very rich ....

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

Aviz, Alma Portuense, Ar de Rio...

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

there is lot of events all year...e.g. Sao Joao in June is very famous, and lot of events of Porto wine, cuzinha...lot of music events, concerts, theatre events...

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

if you are going for winter semester, I can recomend you warm clothes ...because in houses are very cold during winter, in some houses, they dont use heaters...and good clothes for raining and windy weather...:)