I’m sitting on the plane, looking out of the window, and seeing Porto and the adjacent sea from above. Suddenly, I fully realise for the first time that I will actually be spending the next five months of my semester abroad here. A moment of uncertainty washes over me, and I worry about not finding my way or not fitting in. This initial uncertainty was immediately forgotten when I met other ERASMUS students the following day at the Welcome Day at the Portuguese partner university, IPAM, and received all the necessary information about the university.

Porto: The Right Choice for a Semester Abroad

Not only did the other ERASMUS students put my worries to rest, but also the warm hospitality of the Portuguese colleagues and professors. In conversations with other students, the question often came up as to why I chose to do my semester abroad in Porto. When I applied for a semester abroad in Portugal, I had to choose between the capital Lisbon or Porto, a smaller city further north. One of the reasons I decided on Porto was that "Surfing in Portugal" was high up on my bucket list. Through conversations with friends who had already been to both cities, I learned that Porto is a bit less touristy and more manageable. Since the population of Porto is quite similar to Graz, I thought Porto would be a good choice. In hindsight, I’m so grateful that I made that decision. After a short time, I fell in love with the city: its charming wine bars by the Douro, the beautiful sandy beaches, the diverse (vegan!) cuisine, and the vibrant nightlife. No wonder Porto was named ERASMUS Destination of the Year 2024!

My accommodation

During my time here, I rented accommodation in a student and young professional dormitory. Since I’ve been living alone in my small apartment in Graz for years, it was important for me to have my own little place in Porto as well. That’s why I chose a small studio apartment with its own kitchenette and bathroom. I was somewhat surprised during the search that accommodation prices in Porto are quite high. Nevertheless, I’m very satisfied with my choice, as the apartment is very nice, and the staff at the accommodation are incredibly friendly and helpful. The dormitory also regularly organises events where you can network with other residents. This opportunity is also offered by the non-profit organisation ESN, which held a presentation during the Welcome Day at the university.

What does one do when there’s no university?

ESN is an organisation made up of students whose mission is to provide ERASMUS students with the best possible experience. With a membership card that costs only 20 €, you gain access to daily events, some of which are free, such as parties, surf lessons, paintball, or trips to other cities. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and make friendships. Of course, there are also opportunities at the university to meet new people.

The IPAM University

At IPAM, I am currently taking three courses: Customer Management, Business Intelligence, and Creativity and Innovation. The latter is particularly enjoyable for me because it’s different from any courses I’ve ever taken. Here, we learn the fundamentals of creativity and innovation management in an extremely interesting way. For example, we recently visited a museum where the exhibited pictures and objects were meant to inspire our current group project. For this project, we need to develop a concept for a new product or service for a Portuguese large-format printing lab, aligned with the theme of Smart Cities. Irma, the professor of the course, constantly encourages us to step out of our comfort zones. After almost every class, she tells us that we must go out and network with new people. During the Welcome Day, she gave a short speech that particularly stuck with me: “Enjoy your ERASMUS time. Learn new things while you study, but also have fun and travel. Through my ERASMUS, I was able to meet so many great people, with whom I later worked professionally. I also met my husband through it. Enjoy it, it’s the best time of your life.” And well, what can I say? I’m following this advice, and so far, I can only confirm that she’s right. ERASMUS is truly an incredibly wonderful time that allows you to experience new cultures, develop personally, and form deep friendships in a short time.

I highly recommend a semester abroad in Porto to everyone!