Erasmus Experience in Setúbal, Portugal by Iva Maria

Why did you choose to go to Setúbal, Portugal?

I had to choose between Belgium (Antwerpen) and Portugal (Setubal) because of my field of study (speech pathology). I have already been in Belgium and I wanted to see how is in Portugal so I came here.

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

I get money for 4 and a half months. Monthly I get 410€. That's enough for accommodation, food and transport but if you want to travel around, you'll have to add some money. Not much but you'll have to add it.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Setúbal?

It's very relaxed. I don't have classes every day and when I don't have them, I travel or just take a walk or something. Erasmus students here are very connected because it's only 50 of us and we know each other. That's why we always go somewhere, hang or drink.

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

Firstly, because of Portuguese people. They are very warm and they maybe don't know much English but they try really hard to explain you everything and professors are great; they are more like friends, not professors.

What is the food like?

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Fish, meat, sweets!

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Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Setúbal?

Yes, 3 friends and I found an apartment in the center (Praca do Quebedo) for 170€ each. Place is quite big. It was cold in the beginning but now is spring, it is really nice inside and out.

How much does it cost to live in Setúbal?

Except accommodation, it's not much expensive. I go to IPS by train, monthly ticket is 20€ (but you have to pay 7€ for card), food on IPS is from 2, 40€ for meal to 3, 50€. You can cook too, food in markets is not expensive. For example, nice portion of chicken for 2 meals you pay 2€, milk is less than 1€, fruits are not expensive, too.

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

I came here late so I couldn't attend Portuguese class, but other Erasmus people did. Nonverbal communication with people; every time I needed something, I got that so I think it's not hard.

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

There's not much choice. First, we make pre-party in someone's place, after that we go to "student's bar" where the beer is 0, 5€, tequila 1€ (it's cheap to get drunk hihihi) and around 4 in one club called Design. It's normal to wait for sun.

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

Yes, we ate in one meat restaurant "Carne do Convento", near the church in the end of Avenue 5 do Outobru. We drank wine, ate a loooot of meat and had desserts for 20€. It's really good food and you have to go there!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

We were in Evora, near Setubal and it was really nice. Also, Lisbon is close, Sesimbra too.. It's not hard to find nice place t visit.

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

Don't think you'll be alone here. There is a lot of Erasmus people who were thinking - noo, I'm alone here, there's nobody from my country! But trust me, you'll find friends and you'll be active all the time. It's not just party. Setubal is quite small place, it's calm but that's why you'll better know each other. And you'll enjoy, I'm sure. You're once on your Erasmus!