Experiencia Erasmus en Tomar, Portugal de Verónica

Why did you choose to go to Tomar, Portugal?

It was a little city with a lot of history, I really love it!

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

My grant flew away the third month, but I think that is because I can't stay still and I traveled a lot, Tomar has a great train connection. I only received 200 a month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Tomar?

Really nice, we have a group of last grade students here that help us a lot with anything and also prepare dinner, trips and visits, the ESN team is great. The students in general don't really get evolved with erasmus, but erasmus people make a great family together.

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

Totally. I really enjoy each day here, I don't want to go!

What is the food like?

It's really good, I don't have bad things to say about, well... Thay eat a lot of rice always!

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Tomar?

No, I asked to enter in the student residence, it's really worth it.

How much does it cost to live in Tomar?

I could say 200 a month... But it depend on the person and his/her interests...

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

The language... In general they don't usually speak English, but for me the portoguese wasn't really difficult because I'm Spanish and it's kind of similar. Here they make a portoguese class for us, an A1 level, but the problem was that they started almost in November... So we already knew the basics.

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

I am from Zaragoza, Spain, so if you just want a cheap way, FlixBus is the best option, it goes to Lisbon, it's a 12 hours bus, but it's 20€ more or less. I flew to Lisbon and the took a train (8€) to Tomar. But my return trip is going to be a FlixBus trip.

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

There are two discotecs, Rio bar and Kokito's. The first one is big and fancy, a litle more expensive. And the second one is really small. You have to pay for enter in both.

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

Thay talk really well about a place called "Marisquería", but I've never been. There is a Macdonald's... And in general all the places have kind of the same food and they are all good. There is also a kebab in the read that goes to the hospital (or lidl) that it's great and cheap.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Awesome! The whole city is a cultural visit, the center is beautiful, the park, and of course the temple of Crist... WOW it's truly unique.

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

Make friends of all the countries, you are erasmus, you are here to know other cultures and people, don't make group with people of your same nationality, you will regret it. Travel a lot, Porto is 4 hours by train (is not that much), you have a lot of bus an train connections, choose a city each weekend if you can, grab all the erasmus students and go all together. Don't stay still or you will see your life passing away. Enjoy this experience!!!!!