Mobility specification

Country:Portugal

Institution:Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo

City:Viana do Castelo

Program:Erasmus+ for study

Activity type:Study

Academic year:2025/2026

MU faculty/department:Faculty of Education / Department of Mathematics

Study level abroad:Master

🎓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?What surprised me about the class was that even though it was entirely in Portuguese, the teachers approached us individually, provided us with materials in English and tried to help us with everything. I was also a bit surprised that as an Erasmus student I went to school from Monday to Friday.

Does the university offer international students' programs and activities outside of lectures and seminars to help them integrate more quickly?The university offered an orientation week.

In which areas does the university offer support for students with special needs and strive to be inclusive?I haven’t noticed

💸Did you have to rob the bank?

Try to take a guess at what your monthly expenditures were:12000 CZK/month

Did you stay in dorms?yes

What about unexpected expenses? Did anything surprise you?Purchase of equipment for the dormitory kitchen.

Do you have any tips on how to save money?In Viana do Castelo it is quite cheap, if you go to the canteen for lunch or cook your own meals and buy food wisely, you can save money. You can also save on transport, you can walk everywhere in town.

🗺 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

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?The ocean and beaches, the river with the local riverside, St. Luzia Cathedral on top of the city, the eco-park (the city is beautiful everywhere, that's what's great about it).

What are the must-visit trip destinations?Other Portuguese cities such as Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Lisbon, Aveiro, Faro, Ponte de Lima.

Share your best experience:One of my best experiences was an unforgettable sunset on the ocean beach in Aveiro with my erasmus partners.

💅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
Bus

Is there anything to watch out for before the trip?Viana do Castelo can be reached by air to Porto and then by bus or train from Porto to Viana. Transport around Portugal is good.

Can you pay by card?in most places

What not to forget when packing?If you are staying in an Erasmus residence, I recommend you bring a sleeping bag and some basic kitchen equipment (or you can buy it locally).

🥳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?If you are hesitant about going to Erasmus, the answer is definitely yes! It was one of the best decisions of my life.