Exchange Report

Pre-exchange I attended the Intercultural Competences Course (IKK) offered at WU. The course made me gain very relevant and important insights into the culture, social norms etc of Portugal. It also sparked my interest and from there on I started reading and watching about Portugese history, culture and general knowledge. And it really paided off. It was much easier to feel at home in Portugal and understand many everyday situations in Porto.

The university doesn't offer accommodations but they recommed the website https://studentathome.net through which I found my accommodation. I stayed at a student dormintory and had my own studio with kitchen and bathroom and very important a good heating system (Portugese houses usually have very bad heating). My student residence was right next to Campus and therefore a bit more expensive €750 (but totally worth it - the buses to uni are always late). It was located in the Foz area - a very safe region and its close to the ocean (3min by foot) and has doof connections to the city centre (about 20-30 min bus ride). Compared to what I saw from other exchange students I lived in pure luxury and am very happy with my choice of accommodation. Can only recommend it!

The campus at UCP is very nice and you have everything you need. The teachers speak very good English but the teaching style is quite different. Generally, it's easier to talk to teachers but the grading process is intransparent. The courses are easier than at WU but the exams are more difficult compared to what you would expect from the teaching style. The library and study area is very small but even if you come arounf noon you usually find a place. + the cafeteria is cheap and very good

Life in Portugal is generally much more chaotic and relaxed compared to Austria. Regarding Public transport the metro is more of a tram that drives through tunnels and is usually on time but doesn't do so often (usually every 10-15min some only 2x per hour). The busses on the otherhand are rarely on time and usually full. If the bus us full the bus driver doesn't let any more people in and it often happens that it comes very late (40min-1h especially the 500 bus). Traffic is genreally very different and chaotic (cars stop wherever they want to - also in the middle of the street etc.). Nevertheless, it's easy to get from one spot to the next as Uber/Bolt is very cheap (about 4€ from UCP to city center). Apart from that Porto is very safe, especially the area close to university (Foz). There is lots to do - surfing, running along the beach, sailing, fishing, ceramics painting, day trips and much more (So be prepared to spend a lot of money on leisure activities). There are two big erasmus organisations in Porto that offer different activities every week (like the ÖH for international students).

My exchange semester turned out to be the best experience I could have imagined. It was filled with countless life lessons, new perspectives, and experiences that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. Living in a completely different social bubble, surrounded by people from all over the world, challenged the way I think, work, and connect with others. During this time, I got a glimpse of a different possible future and lifestyle—one that felt more relaxed and balanced, yet still ambitious, hardworking, and deeply fulfilling. It taught me that productivity does not always mean pressure, and that contentment can coexist with strong goals and motivation. What truly made my exchange special were the people I met and the places I discovered. From spontaneous conversations that turned into friendships, to exploring new cities, cultures, and ways of life, every moment felt meaningful in its own way. Porto, in particular, became more than just a place to study—it became a home full of memories. Between traveling, endless laughter, shared sunsets, and days spent surfing by the ocean, this semester was a constant reminder of how enriching it is to embrace the unknown. Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better exchange experience or a more perfect time in Porto.