Details

• Portugal
• MASIMC-17
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 9 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Just start finding housing asap, and be very aware of scammers. The best mode way to travel to Lisbon i by plane, and then taking an uber into the city. I would also recommend to definitely arrive a bit before the welcome week to take in the summer in Lisbon and do as many welcome activities as you can. There most friend groups were made.

2. Accommodation

As mentioned, start as early as possible. Check that your location is near a metro. We had a lovely private landlord and booking over housinganywhere. We did not look at the hills, and which we had done that. My roommate and I had to walk uphill and do over 100 stairs every time to get home. Finally, I would not live too close to Martim Moniz and avoid that area if you can.

3. Academic life at host university

The university is a bit old and has some troubles, but it is a lovely university with really nice professors. The teaching style is great for most of the classes and electives. I would recommend the electives: 'business of fashion, Project management, and leadership development'. The organisational part of the university is where it starts lacking though. We had a heavier curriculum that was just not well divided. Every question we had came back with a this is not possible. Whether it was about joining another group of the class for better hours, or to submit an attendance when you are in the hospital. I was absent from university and in the hospital for three weeks. They were constantly questioning me whether id know when I would be back at university. Only when they knew my date of return could they process my absence and inform my professors. I think this is a horrible rule, and it caused my professors to have a first impression of me to not ever join classes and be absent without reason.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport was good, of course not comparable to Vienna. But we easily traveled to uni by metro except for the very occasional uber ride. Uber is super cheap there in comparison to anywhere else. At night, we would not recommend walking around alone too much, and take a cheap uber instead. It did not feel super unsafe, but some friends had necklaces stolen from their necks. Also be aware when being drunk, of thief's. Multiple people had their phones stolen. Other than that, Lisbon is the perfect city to enjoy life, especially when the weather is good. The beach is close by and easily accessible by uber or renting a scooter or so. There are many places to go out, lots of Erasmus events, lots of organised parties and DJ's coming to Lisbon. For sports, padel was the most popular option, and very good to do there.

6. Testimonial

Doing a double degree is an extra challenge, but it is absolutely worth the experience you get. You integrate within the community way better than as an exchange student, and you see all good and bad parts. Portuguese people are lovely, and the city has this lovable atmosphere and constant vacation feeling that keeps you relaxed and excited.