Details

• Portugal
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Whilst preparing for my exchange, I thought it was helpful to carefully research the university and write down important information, such as academic and exchange support phone numbers and opening hours for in-person help. Furthermore, I thoroughly read through the exchange reports for recommendations for traveling, accommodation and living. I contacted friends of mine as well as acquaintances to gather as much information as possible. As a result, I knew which neighborhoods were best to live in regarding safety, well-being and proximity to my university as well as to student districts with nice restaurants or meeting points. Between shared housing platforms, connecting platforms such as "Flats for Friends" and whats app groups, I finally chose to move in a shared flat with a friend of a friend of mine. He already stayed in Lisbon for a few months, therefore he gave me further tips for close-by supermarkets, the quickest way to university and nice activities to consider for my stay. To summarize, for me the most helpful thing was to collect as much information as possible, write everything down in a structured manner and evaluate my best options.

2. Accommodation

The accommodation search was very successful all in all. Gathering tips from exchange reports, my home and host university as well as recommendations from friends of mine who already were in Lisbon or another city for their exchange, helped me a lot. During my stay I lived with a friend of a friend, in a private shared flat, about 30 minutes from my university. The location was very safe and not in the city centre, therefore it was very calm and quiet, which was very nice. When meeting friends, traveling to the beach or going out, I would have to walk approximately 30 minutes. Tips I wish I'd known beforehand is that location makes a big difference. Whilst the metro was very good connected and fast, buses weren't always that reliable and some areas can really only be experienced by walking around. However, uber is also really cheap in Lisbon, which is very nice aswell. However, my biggest recommendation for moving is to be careful in choosing your accommodation. Some of my friends had to deal with mold, as Lisbon isn't really prepared for rainy weather, but in february and march it rains a lot, which has an impact on living. However aside from that, the housing is really beautiful here and an incredible experience.

3. Academic life at host university

Católica Portuguesa is an amazing university for an exchange. The university is well prepared and looking out for students. They send out structured emails with important information and share contact information for additional support. One thing to keep in mind is that the official course selection is based on a first come, first serve principle similar to WU Vienna, however slightly more relaxed. But course selection at Católica is relatively late, which is why filling out the learning agreement prior to the actual course selection can be helpful. The university itself was very attentive and professors are more personal compared to WU Vienna. However, whilst some were incredibly interesting to listen to, others weren't that organized with replying to emails, I'd say it really depends on your professor. Overall, I don't think that there is a lot of difference in comparison to WU Vienna for one semester. It is important not to underestimate one's learning effort. Although the level is slightly easier to WU in my personal view, there are a lot of group projects, presentations and assignments, which can take up a lot of time.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Lisbon is truly amazing. Public transport is relatively reliant, metros more than busses and the tram, however a lot is also reachable in walking distance or with very cheap uber fares. Overall, I would personally say that Lisbon is a very safe city to stay in, depending on your neighbourhood, slightly more or less. I personally would avoid living nearby Martim Moniz and would recommend Alfama, Baixa-Chiado, São Nicolau, Principe Real or living nearby the Avenida or Marquês de Pombal. There are a lot of social or leisure activities, amongst others a lot of amazing restaurants or wine bars, running at the pier, surfing at surf schools, sports clubs for pilates or cycling, events and of course many nice beaches to relax and swim in the ocean. Carcavelos is very easy to reach and cheap by train and Caparica is also very nice. Near Setúbal there are also a lot of amazing, less touristy beaches, however it is a little far away, but worth a day trip.

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience at Católica Lisbon was an enriching experience both academically and personally. Staying abroad challenged me to organize myself in a completely different country, with bureaucratic obstacles, different living in a sense of punctuality and "the way things work" and a different university with unalike processes within a new environment. Besides providing opportunity for growth through overcoming obstacles and building a new way of living for myself within a different culture, the exchange gifted me with some of the most amazing experiences, meaningful friendships and a new approach of choosing my future path in life, outside of my previous horizon.