Exchange Report

In order to prepare for your exchange, you should inform yourself about possible visa or travel requirements and make sure that all necessary documents are ready before your departure. It is also helpful to make yourself comfortable with the university platforms, such as Moodle and Fenix, and to log into your university email account regularly, as most important information is sent via email. Before arriving, you should also learn a little about the city and explore what activities, attractions and opportunities it offers. It is also useful to plan how you will travel to your destination and book your flight as soon as possible as they can be expensive. In my case, I travelled to Lisbon by plane and arrived one day before the university’s welcome activities started. I would also recommend contacting former exchange students, as they can provide valuable tips about studying and living in your exchange city. This is especially helpful when in comes to the course selection and possible areas so live in, as this was a little bit overwhelming at first.

I found my accommodation through Spotahome and the process was very simple and straightforward. However, I would strongly recommend starting your accommodation search as early as possible, as good rooms are booked quickly and it can become quite expensive. I lived in a shared apartment with seven roommates near Avenida metro station on the blue metro line. For me, this location was perfect because I could reach Católica Lisbon in about 25 minutes while still living close to the city center. For students attending Católica, I would recommend looking for accommodation near either the yellow or blue metro line, as these provide convenient access to the university. Some of the best neighborhoods for both living and social life are, in my opinion, Santos and Príncipe Real. Although these areas are a little further away from the metro and university, they are beautiful neighborhoods with many cafés, restaurants and nightlife options. The Avenida area, where I lived, is also a great choice because it offers a good balance between being close to the university and being close to Lisbon’s main social areas. Regarding safety, I never had any concerns in my neighborhood, as there were always people around and the area felt lively and safe. In general, I found Lisbon to be a relatively safe city. The only area I would personally avoid when looking for accommodation is Martim Moniz. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is which neighborhoods are best suited for exchange students. Fortunately, I was lucky with my location and ended up living close to both the university and the city’s social hotspots. My main advice would be to start looking for accommodation early and, if possible, choose a place in or near the city center, as you can still get to the university quickly while flexibly enjoying everything else Lisbon has to offer.

The campus at Católica Lisbon is much smaller than WU Vienna, which creates a much more personal atmosphere. One of the things I appreciated most was the International Office. The staff was always very helpful, replied quickly to emails and supported students whenever questions or problems came up. The campus itself is easy to navigate. All business courses take place in the Business Building, which also has a cafeteria where many students spend their breaks. Across from it is another building that contains the library, another cafeteria, a copy shop and various student services. Since the campus is relatively small, it is very easy to find your way around from the first day. Compared to WU, I found the academic culture to be less competitive. The classes are generally smaller, which allows professors to interact more directly with students. The teaching style is very interactive and often includes group projects, presentations, class participation, quizzes and discussions. This creates a more engaging learning environment and encourages students to contribute actively. One aspect that exchange students should know is that most other international students only receive a pass/fail grade. Since WU transfers the actual grades, I would recommend communicating this to your group members during group projects, as participation and performance may be more important for you than for some other exchange students. Academically, I did not find the courses overly difficult, as many topics were similar to content I had already covered at WU. However, the workload should not be underestimated. If you want to achieve very good grades, you still need to invest a considerable amount of time in studying throughout the semester. A helpful feature is that every course offers a final exam option at the end of the semester if you did not pass through continuous assessment or if you would like to improve your grade. I would especially recommend Organizational Behavior, as the professor was extremely knowledgeable, approachable and genuinely passionate about the subject. Another course I highly recommend is Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility. Although it required regular participation, quizzes and homework assignments, the content was very interesting and manageable. The exam also allowed students to bring a double-sided A4 cheat sheet, which reduced the amount of studying required. I also took the intensive Portuguese language course (1.5 ECTS), which cost around €80. It was a lot of fun and gave me the opportunity to learn the basics of the language, which was very useful in everyday life.

Public transportation in Lisbon is very easy to use. The metro system is reliable, easy to navigate and connects most parts of the city. Buses are available as well, but they can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, as they do not always arrive exactly as scheduled. Students under the age of 23 should look into the SUB23 Navegante Card, which allows free use of public transportation. To apply for it, you first need a Portuguese tax number (NIF). The process can be a bit confusing at first, as there is not always clear information available, but it is definitely worth looking into because it can save a significant amount of money. With the Navegante Card, you can also use regional trains, which means you can travel to places such as Cascais and many nearby beaches for free. Overall, I found Lisbon to be a very safe city. I never felt unsafe, even when walking around in the evening. However, I would recommend being careful with personal belongings, especially in crowded areas, as pickpocketing can occur. I would also recommend downloading the Bolt app, as rides are very affordable and it is a convenient way to get home safely at night. The social life in Lisbon is excellent. The city offers countless events, parties, concerts and activities and it is very easy to meet new people because of the large international student community. I would recommend checking Instagram regularly, as many events are advertised there. Lisbon also has many kiosks (“quiosques”), where people often meet friends for drinks and spend time outdoors, especially during the warmer months. For sporty people, Lisbon also has a lot to offer. There are numerous running clubs, padel and tennis courts, gyms, Pilates studios and other fitness options. I joined VivaGym, which cost around €30 per month and offered a flexible membership that could be cancelled at any time. Surfing is also very popular and easy to try as a beginner. I took lessons in Costa da Caparica, but there are also good surf schools in Carcavelos. In general, there is always something to do, whether it is sports, beach trips, social events or exploring the city. I also participated in an Erasmus day trip to Nazaré, which was a great experience and something I would highly recommend. There are also a lot of other Erasmus events so I would definitely recommend looking into and staying up to date, as this can help you meet new people especially in the beginning.

My exchange semester in Lisbon was an amazing experience and definitely one of the best times of my life. I met so many great people from different countries, made friends for life and had a lot of fun stepping out of my comfort zone. I also enjoyed experiencing a new academic environment and learning more about a different culture. In my opinion, Lisbon is the perfect city for an Erasmus semester and I would recommend it to anyone.