Details

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

1. Preparation

Tips for the application process at WU: Keep track of all deadlines and documents from the beginning. Also, think a bit about your preferred destinations beforehand so you don’t have to rush your decision. Other than that, just regularly check your emails because WU sends a lot of important updates there. Tips for preparing your semester abroad: For the preparation, I had to register at the partner university via an online tool where I uploaded some documents like my passport and e-card. I didn’t need any language certificate or test. Besides the OLA, we also had to fill out an extra Learning Agreement from NOVA where we selected our courses. We were then automatically registered for them by the mobility office. One thing to keep in mind is that the course list was published pretty late, so planning was a bit tricky. There were no specific entry regulations in my case, and I also didn’t get any additional insurance. I traveled to the destination by plane, which was the easiest and most convenient option for me.

2. Accommodation

Accommodation search experience: I looked for accommodation together with a friend, and we mainly used Idealista. Overall, it worked quite well and we were able to find something relatively quickly. Accommodation type: We stayed in a private apartment for two people that we rented from a landlord. Location: The apartment was located in a side street off Avenida, in the Santo António district. It was about a 4-minute walk to the Avenida metro station, which was super convenient. Getting to the university took around 20 minutes by public transport. Tip: Looking back, I would probably recommend moving into a shared flat instead of renting an apartment with just one other person. I ended up paying quite a bit more compared to some of my friends who lived in shared apartments.

3. Academic life at host university

The faculty itself was quite small and the facilities were rather old, especially if you’re used to WU. However, there were quite a lot of exchange students compared to the size of the faculty, which was actually really nice because it made it easy to meet people and connect. The academic culture was pretty relaxed overall. The teaching style was mostly frontal lectures with optional participation – I only had one class where active participation was actually required. At the same time, classes were quite interactive and usually small, which made it easier to engage if you wanted to. We didn’t need any books for the courses, everything was based on presentations provided by the professors. Courses I would recommend (also because they were relatively easy) are: Ocean Policies, Legal English, International Humanitarian Law, Emerging Technologies: Governance and Regulation, and Energy Law.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Lisbon was really enjoyable and easy to get used to. For public transport, I mainly used the metro, which worked well and was the most reliable option. Buses, on the other hand, were often delayed or sometimes didn’t show up at all, so I didn’t really rely on them. I always felt safe in Lisbon overall. There are some pickpockets, especially in crowded or touristy areas, but nothing ever happened to me. You just have to be a bit careful and keep an eye on your belongings when it’s busy. There’s also a lot going on in terms of social and leisure activities. I really enjoyed the music scene in Lisbon – there are so many cool events and a lot of well-known DJs come to the city. We ended up going out quite often and tried different events and venues, which was definitely one of the highlights of the semester for me. For sports, there are plenty of options. I personally went surfing quite a lot – we often went to Carcavelos, which you can easily reach by train, or to Caparica, where we usually took an Uber. I also played padel regularly.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Lisbon was an amazing experience and definitely one of the highlights of my studies. What made it special for me was the combination of meeting so many international people, enjoying the city’s great atmosphere, and being able to spend so much time outdoors, especially surfing. Portugal is also an amazing country to travel in – we visited surfer hotspots like Ericeira, Peniche, and Nazaré, explored Porto, and even went to the Azores and Madeira. Being based in Lisbon made it really easy to get anywhere quickly. Overall, it was the perfect mix of studying, traveling, and having a great time.