Details

• Portugal
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Do research on partner university, city and country. Check visa and other travel requirements. Look for accomodation as early as possible.

2. Accommodation

Try to be as early as possible. Use platforms as Uniplaces, Spotahome for shared apartments. Avoid Nido (student residence). My apartment was in the city centre and in a safe location. Due to low attendance requirements at NOVA the long commute of 1 hour was okay (train). I wish i knew that apartments have no heating systems so in Winter it is pretty cold inside.

3. Academic life at host university

Compared to WU Vienna, the academic experience at NOVA was less organized overall. The learning platform (Moodle) was not as user-friendly or well-structured as Canvas, making it more difficult to access course materials and stay informed about requirements. Assessment criteria were often not clearly communicated, and grading practices sometimes appeared inconsistent. In addition, deadlines for assessments and the publication of grades were not always respected, which created uncertainty for students. While the exchange was valuable from a personal and cultural perspective, I found the academic organization, transparency, and overall study experience to be much stronger at WU.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Lisbon was absolutely fantastic. The public transport system (Metro, trams, and buses) is affordable, well-connected, and easy to navigate as a student. Safety-wise, Lisbon felt very safe at all times, even late at night. The city has an incredible social scene, from the iconic miradouros (viewpoints) with sunset gatherings to the vibrant nightlife in Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré. There are countless leisure activities like surf lessons on the Atlantic coast, free cultural events, festivals, and a thriving café culture. Sports options are great too, both through the university and the city's many parks and facilities. Overall, living in Lisbon was one of the best experiences of my life and I would highly recommend it to any Erasmus student.

6. Testimonial

My Erasmus semester in Lisbon was truly unforgettable. Having the beach right next to the university and being able to surf before or after class was something I never expected from an exchange semester. The city itself has a unique charm with its street festivals, warm people, and vibrant atmosphere that made every day feel special. On weekends I explored beyond Lisbon, renting a car to discover the surroundings and taking short trips to Porto and the Algarve, which made the whole experience even richer.