Details

• Portugal
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Many students do not sufficiently consider the connection between their grades and their chances of spending a semester abroad. Especially in the field of Business Law, selection is based exclusively on grades; no other criteria are relevant. Therefore, it is helpful to keep this in mind already in the semesters preceding the exchange. It is also important to review the Excel sheet listing the courses that have been successfully transferred in the past. This makes it much easier to plan earlier semesters and to reserve those courses that are most likely to be completed abroad (for example, specializations in the Master’s program). Once you already know your destination, it is advisable to inform yourself early about potential difficulties in finding accommodation. Students often start searching only shortly before the beginning of the exchange semester and then struggle to find suitable housing.

2. Accommodation

My friend and I started the accommodation search very early. I received my notification about my exchange placement in January, and in February/March we began researching accommodation options in Lisbon. In April, we signed the rental contract. As a result, we found a very good two-person coliving apartment in Alameda via the platform Spotahome. This platform was also used by many of my friends, and none of them experienced any problems. It is a very safe platform with numerous security guidelines. As mentioned above, we lived in an apartment in the district of Alameda. The location was very good: we lived close to a metro station, and the area is quiet but not too far from the city center. It is also a safe area. In general, Lisbon is a very safe city. The only area I would not recommend for living is Martim Moniz. Good areas to live in Lisbon include, in particular, Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Rossio, Bairro Alto, and Santos.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus was acceptable, but of course not comparable to the very open and modern campus of WU. Overall, the university’s organization was somewhat chaotic, especially at the beginning of the semester. Many courses were cancelled, or students did not receive a place in the courses they wished to attend. Personally, I did not experience any problems, as I am a Master’s student (Master’s students had priority) and I only attended three courses in total. The teaching style and the grading system are very different from what I am used to at WU. We had to complete many presentations and academic papers, but relatively few exams. At WU, almost all courses rely primarily on exams, or at least include an exam in addition to other assessment criteria. The grading system is also stricter compared to the Austrian system. It is based on a point scale, with 20 points being the maximum; however, achieving such a high score is extremely rare.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Lisbon is truly amazing. Lisbon is a very positive, modern, versatile, and open city, offering a huge variety of leisure activities. I especially enjoyed participating in different kinds of events, such as summer festivals, parties, Erasmus events, and sports activities. In particular, the ELL organization arranges a wide range of events for international students, which is ideal for meeting new people and socializing. Lisbon also offers countless excellent restaurants and bars. I particularly appreciated the diverse opportunities to stay active. I found a great yoga studio, a Supercycle studio, and a gym. Many students also go running along the river, which is a very enjoyable experience. Lisbon is really the perfect city for young people. And of course the weather is a big plus as well!

6. Testimonial

Overall, it was an amazing experience, and I learned a great deal from it. Starting from zero in a new country—with new people, a new language, and a new culture—means stepping far outside one’s comfort zone, but this is precisely what makes it such a valuable opportunity for personal growth. I am very grateful for this opportunity. I met many new, interesting, and warm-hearted people, and I also gained a much deeper understanding of myself.