The best year of my life: Erasmus in Porto

Why did you choose to go to Porto, Portugal?

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There were no English-speaking destinations left, so instead I thought it would be good to learn Portuguese because of its proximity to Spain and the exchange between our countries. After the Treaty of Lisbon, Extremadura has registered Portuguese as a second language in their education system and it seemed very important to me that I learn it, as I'd like to become a teacher some day.

How long did your exchange last? How much were you paid?

My exchange lasted for nine months and I received (not counting my MEC grant) approximately 480 euros a month.

What's the student life like in Porto?

Impressive. There were over 1, 500 Erasmus students there in the academic year 2009-2010 (including Erasmus Mundus).

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

Definitely. It's a city where there aren't just parties on Monday to Sunday, but where the people are very friendly too. They make a real effort to understand you although you're speaking Spanish to them (I recommend learning Portuguese! ), and the cultural opportunities offered here are extensive. There's a broad exchange of cultures.

What's Portuguese food like?

Cheap. In the faculty canteens, the daily menu costs between 2 and 5 euros or so. Eating out is always cheap too, and you can get a meal for 4 or 5 euros (soup, meat/fish, rice, potatoes, bread and water). Something very typical to eat is a 'Francesinha'.

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How did you find your accommodation?

I found my first house with my parents and it was a bad move. I was 'near' to the faculty and far away from the centre...definitely an error. My second flat I found through looking at the lists of flats advertised at Porto uni, and it was much more central and made my life a lot easier.

How expensive is accommodation? How expensive is life in general?

I paid 250 euros a month in my first flat plus bills, until I realised that this was a rip-off. My second flat was slightly... worse, shall we say, and as a result I paid 120 euros a month for it plus bills. A normal-sized room in a shared house with two or three other people will cost you between 150 and 200 euros a month.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language class at the university?

I got on great with the language. You have to really make the effort to learn it, as it's very easy to just carry on speaking Spanish as they all understand you. I took two courses at the arts faculty. First, I took an access exam and got level B, and then did my C1 exam. Every semester costs 200 euros, but it's so worth it.

What's the easiest way of getting to Porto from your home city?

The cheapest way of getting there from Badajoz is by going to Elvas and to the Rede Expressos station (Rodoviaria), and ask for a direct ticket to Porto. You have to change at Lisbon.

What are the best places for partying in Porto?

Piolho, Adega Leonor, Armazem do Cha, Plano B, Galerías París, Pitch, Gare, Galerías, Tendinha, La Movida...

What about eating out in Porto? What are your favourite places?

Piolho, there's a place perpendicular to Aliados we went to a lot called Cafe Emperador or something like that, which was really nice.

What does Porto have to offer in terms of culture?

• Parque da Cidade
• Serralves
• Casa da Música
• Ribiera
• Bodegas (Gaia)
• Palacio de la bolsa
• Cathedral (better not to go here at nighttime)
• Lello Bookshop
• Cafe Majestic
• Torre dos clérigos
• On Bombarda Street there are exhibitions on at the weekends which are amazing.

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Do you have any advice for future students coming to Porto?

Enjoy every moment as time will fly by. The first week is hard, but the rest of your Erasmus exchange will be an incomparable experience. You'll get to know people from all over the world, practise your languages, go to classes, and have fun. I'm jealous of you, if only I could do this year all over again. Make the most of this incredible opportunity because you'll never regret it.