Details

• Portugal
• MAWiRe-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months

1. Preparation

Application process was online. Have a good CV ready. Travel choice: flight from Vienna to Lisbon

2. Accommodation

I shared a flat with a girl from WU. We found the 2-bedroom apartment on Spotahome. (secure website). It was a private flat. We paid 850/month and our landlord was really friendly, we had a great experience. Location: near metro station Alameda, which is 2 stops (pink line) away from Sao Sebastio (Nova university). It took me around 20 min to get into the city center with the green metro line, which also stops at Alameda, so it was a great location to live in. Free metro card for all people under 24, but you need to apply for a NIF (tax number), which can take quite a while. Email me for further tipps to avoid the long waiting process.

3. Academic life at host university

Nova School of Law is pretty small (around 200-300 students), but there are also a lot exchange students from all around the world (around 50). It offers different Master of Law Studies from which Erasmus Students can chose. The university organised a welcome session right in the beginning with all the Erasmus students, so we all got the know each other. Afterwards was a little sunset party, where we all connected and made Whatsapp groups. The building is small, not that many classrooms and compared to the WU not really modern. Most of the classrooms have no electrical outlets and also the library is small and in the basement of the building. There were not that many food options on campus, but there was one cafeteria with cheap food and coffe. I always brought my own food or got something at the Lidl at the metro station. The courses were held in frontal lectures most of the time, in a few we had to participate or make a presentation about a chosen topic.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public Transport: see above. Safety: I felt really safe, I walked almost everywhere. Just try to avoid the metro stations and area of Martim Moniz and Intendente. Supermarkets: Lidl (cheaper option), MyAuchan (almost everywhere, but a little bit more expensive), Continente (there are a few bigger ones, they have almost everything, but also not the cheapest option), Pingo Doce Restaurants: there are so many different restaurants around the city!!! Bars: there are also a lot, but the number one going out spot would be "Bairro Alto" Sport: surfing!!! Events: check out Erasmus Life Lisbon leisure activities: make as many trips as possible!

6. Testimonial

Looking back, my semester in Lisbon was a truly transformative experience that exceeded my expectations. Portugal is a beautiful country, and the trips to the Azores, Madeira, and along the Algarve coast were especially unforgettable. Exploring Lisbon’s charming streets and forming close friendships with classmates and roommates made every moment meaningful. The university’s small, close-knit environment fostered genuine connections in and out of the classroom. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking an enriching study abroad experience.