Erasmus Experience in São Paulo, Brazil by Nipuni

Why did you choose to go to São Paulo, Brazil?

Wanted to go to a tropical country
Always wanted to visit Brazil
Wanted to go far from the UK
Had the type of research I wanted to do here

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

9/10 months
Scholarship (money I don't have to pay back)=£2000

What is the student lifestyle like in São Paulo?

Very nice and active. There are lots of parties both in the university and outside. There are lots of things to see and do around the city, and some are even free (best part).

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

Yes

What is the food like?

Quite different to what I am used to. It's common in Brazil to eat meat everyday, which is something I was surprised about at first, but am use to it now. And they have very sugary, sweet foods, which are also very nice.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in São Paulo?

No a friend recommended the apartment. I pay R$1000 per month.

How much does it cost to live in São Paulo?

From what I know, most students pay about R$1000 per month for an ensuite bathroom (bathroom included-only need to share the kitchen/sometimes don't need to share the kitchen). The prices can vary greatly.

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

The basics is quite easy to learn and use everyday, but learning the language in depth is hard and here time consuming, but it's worth learning some words and sentences. There are some courses, but some you have to pay for them.

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

If you are a student, the parties at USP are really good and fun and is also free. There are also lots of nightclubs, bars and open bars around Paulista, Vila Madalena and Pinheiros.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in São Paulo?

There are many restaurants in the city, it's hard to recommend specific restaurants. But if you are looking for something specific, i.e. Chinese food, Liberdade is the best place.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

There are many museums in the city. There's also Ibirapuera Park, which is the biggest recreational park in São Paulo. Liberdade is also a good place to visit; it's like the "China Town" of São Paulo.

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

Even though Brazil is a tropical country, São Paulo can get quite cold during the winter (around 15oC), which for me was unexpected. And bring a rain coat, it can rain a lot!