Exchange Experience at the University of the Algarve, in Faro, Portugal.

Sunset...

My exchange experience at the University of the Algarve was sensational, incredible... and contributed a lot to my professional and personal development. I got to know many incredible people whom I will never forget. You can get to know and experience a new culture, foods, extraordinary places.

The employees of the international mobility sector, the teachers, employees and students of the Food Engineering department were very welcoming and considerate to me.

And I miss it so much! Regarding the classes, they're very good, I learnt a lot here. I thank Professor Margarida Viera, Professor Ruy and Engineer Clarisse for everything. At the university it's possible to do an internship in an area that interests you.

Today I have lots of stories to tell of the unforgettable experiences I had during the exchange.

And in relation to living in the city, there's a university residence which costs around €120 (I don't remember the exact cost because I didn't live there) with everything included. But I rented an apartment with water, gas and electricity bills costing around €135. The rent was 400, but divided by 4 people. and I had an individual room. The rent for the houses in the city is around 140 to 240 euros per person. But I would recommend renting a house and sharing it with other people, it's more comfortable and you'll have more privacy.

I lived 30 minutes from the Penha campus, but to get to the Gambelas campus you have to get a bus. The city is super calm, very safe. You normally don't have to pay for the parties, and they're very good. The living cost in this city is very low, you can live well with little money. The beaches are marvellous, there's a bus that takes you there for only 2, 25 euros.

There's a surf club which offers classes for students, I took a class. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

And if you live in Faro you have to go to Lagos and Sagres, which are incredible, they're the most beautiful places I know... more beautiful than the whole of Europe, Paris, London... ah I loved Lagos and Sagres, marvellous beaches.

Another great thing in Faro is the Patrimonio bar where you can drink until 1am! It was so good, it was the nightclub that I went to most. The music was very good. And they played Brazilian music, I always asked:

Oh mate, please play some Brazilian music, it gets rid of my homesickness haha. They always played it! And they play old Brazilian music, which was very popular at the 2008 carnival, haha. But seriously, it's good.

In Patrimonio you can dance salsa. I danced a lot there, haha. The First Floor is good, but they don't have a good system when it comes to letting out the smoke, (in Portugal, people smoke in nightclubs, I hated that, with all my heart, seriously. The clothes and coats I had used to go out couldn't be used again... because it was as if I had gone into a chimney). Entrance is free to these clubs, but on special dates like New Year's Eve you have to pay 5 euros.

Going into these clubs is great for getting to know people, networking, putting your English into practice...

For a delicious beer I would recommend the Fernando bar which has cheaper beers, all the students love it! We would always have a drink there before going to parties. It's only 60 cents.

Faro marina