Details

• Portugal
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Choosing courses and the Learning Agreement can take longer than expected, especially since I had to send the Learning Agreement to Nova manually. It really helps to talk to students who have already been on exchange there. I would also recommend looking for accommodation and courses early, as Lisbon is very popular. I started searching for housing in February via online platforms, which worked out well in the end.

2. Accommodation

I started looking for accommodation early (already in February) via online housing platforms. Overall the process was smooth and worked out well in the end. Be aware that many landlords charge really high rents. I lived in a private shared apartment, but booked via a platform suggested by Nova. I lived in Bairro Alto (in walking distance to the pub area of Lisbon), which felt safe and had good public transport connections. Getting to Nova SBE was easy by train from Cais do Sodre, even though the campus is not in the city center and it takes about 1 hour from door to door. Maybe, check the commute to campus in advance, if you want to be next to Nova. But most students live in the centre of Lisbon.

3. Academic life at host university

Nova SBE has a very modern and well-equipped campus. The academic culture is quite international and interactive, with a strong focus on group work and class participation. Courses often feel more applied and continuous rather than exam-focused.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Lisbon is reliable and affordable (around 40 € per month), and it’s easy to get around the city. Overall, I felt very safe in everyday life. There are lots of social and leisure activities, especially cafés, beaches, and nightlife. Lisbon also offers many sports options, and the international student community makes it easy to meet new people.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at Nova SBE was an amazing experience, both academically and personally. The international environment, practical courses, and life in Lisbon made the semester very special. I met people from all over the world (especially germans) and would definitely choose Nova again.