Mobility specification

Country:Portugal

Institution:University of Porto

City:Porto

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Social Studies / Department of International Relations and European Studies

Study level abroad:Bachelor

🎓Hit the books! How do you rate the university experience?

Can you enroll in a course where you can learn the local language?yes

Does the university offer enough courses in English?none

Are your credits converted?no

Was there anything in the teaching methods that surprised you?Perhaps what surprised me most about the teaching was the informality, for example when students address the teacher by name. Not surprisingly, if you have a consultation with the teacher, instead of his office you have it in the school cafeteria over coffee :D.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The university itself provides an orientation session at the beginning - both in general from the university and directly from the faculty, where everything is presented and probably the most common questions are answered. About students clubs, I am aware of the existence of a few, but as Erasmus students we were not very well informed about the possibility of getting involved.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?Barrier-free access to classrooms and dormitories
Special examination conditions (e.g., extended time, quiet rooms)

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:15000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?no

Do you have any tips on how to find private accommodation?I recommend trying Facebook groups or the Idealista website, where accommodation is offered - just be careful of possible scams. I found my accommodation through a contact from my previous Erasmus - a Czech girl who was in Portugal for a semester.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?When it comes to groceries, the cheapest stores are definitely Lidl and MyAuchan, where you can often catch various discounts. You can also save a lot thanks to the TooGoodToGo app, which works similarly to Nesnězeno in the Czech Republic - you can get cheap food that would otherwise be thrown away. The Fork app occasionally offers discounts at restaurants. In addition, I recommend watching for student discounts, happy hours, or ESN card discounts.

🗺 Learn the ropes in a new city

How well did you manage to communicate in English?almost without problems

How does public transport work in the city?neutral

And what about transport outside the city?mostly fine

Where to find connections? How to buy a ticket?Public transport works quite well in Porto, especially the metro. I wouldn't rely too much on buses, they are usually not punctual. You can easily find the metro via Google Maps. You can track exact bus departures on the STCP website, they also have an app, but I didn't need it.
If you are 23 years old inclusive, public transport in Porto is free - just get an Andante chip card. You buy it right at the airport for a small fee, for example, and then top it up at the machines in the metro stations every month. Although travel is free, the card must be charged regularly.
FlixBus or the local Rede Expressos are great for getting around outside the city - it's always worth comparing prices, sometimes Rede is cheaper or offers more connections. There are trains too, but they tend to be more expensive; the train app is called CP.

Did you deal with any health issues during your stay?no

🤠Help create the perfect bucket list

What is a must-see in the city?Ribeira is a beautiful area along the Douro River, and you can cross the bridge to Gaia, where you can taste the local port wine at good prices. I also recommend Jardim do Cristal, which I think is more worth a visit than the famous Jardim do Morro. Iconic landmarks include the Dom Luís I bridge. It's also definitely worth visiting Foz do Douro, a beautiful area by Matosinhos beach.

What are the must-visit trip destinations?I definitely recommend the trip:
Algarve - beautiful beaches and cliffs, ideal for a boat trip.
Nazaré - famous for its huge waves, especially in January and February.
Madeira - Portuguese island with breathtaking nature and mountains.

Share your best experience:My best experience was definitely the sunrise on the highest peak of the Portuguese island of Madeira. It was so magical that even the early wake up (4:30 :OOO) was worth it.

💅A nugget of wisdom to make the life easier

Did you need to handle a visa?no

How did you get to the place?Plane

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?Definitely a good waterproof jacket - it rains a lot in Porto, and you'll ruin your umbrella in no time because it's so windy. And also warm clothes, although it may seem warm in Portugal - especially inside the house is not, because they don't have heating.

🥳Summary

Whew, what a ride! 😮‍💨 Thanks so much for taking the time to complete our survey and for sharing your unique experience. Just one last thing. 🙏 How would you summarize your trip in one or two sentences?My Erasmus gave me more than I expected. It has been a roller coaster of experiences, new experiences and friends.