Finding New Horizons: Erasmus Experience in Portugal – Part 1

The thought that I would have to live for four months in a different and new country was inspiring and a little scary for me. There was a lot to organise: documents, moving, and finding accommodation. However, it seems to me that I am quite adaptable to change, and my adjustment usually happens quickly. That was the case this time as well.

At my university, I explored the available exchange options and chose the University of Aveiro in the city of the same name. Fortunately, everything went quite smoothly, even finding accommodation turned out to be easier than I expected. Although I had heard stories from other students about difficulties in finding housing during their Erasmus experiences, I was lucky. The university did not provide a dormitory spot, but I managed to find a room through a Facebook group and rent it.

The way to Aveiro

Aveiro is located about 70 km from Porto. It is easy to get there: from the central station of Porto, you can take a train that will take you to the city in about an hour. Trains run frequently, about every half hour, making it a very convenient route. A pleasant bonus is that the train follows the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, offering the most beautiful and spectacular views through the window.

The beautiful "Azulejo" tiles with blue patterns are also an integral part of Portuguese culture, you will definitely come across at train stations and other buildings along the way.

Life in a new house

Upon arrival in Aveiro, I easily found my new house. It turned out that the flat where I rented a room was two-story. And besides me, there were five more people living there, and all of them were students from different countries who also came to study for an exchange. To my delight, the flat was also home to two black cats.

The flat was great, it was a bit old, but it had a special atmosphere and cosy vibe. We also had a large shared living room with TV and sofas, and a spacious kitchen. I was very happy with my room; it was big and there was a balcony with a great view. Our cats often came to visit me in the room through this balcony and settled down to sleep on the bed. I really liked it.

The charm of Aveiro

Aveiro is an unusual and very beautiful small town just 10 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, picturesque canals and bridges, as well as colourful boats called Moliceiros, which resemble Venetian gondolas. Because of this, Aveiro is often referred to as the "Venice of Portugal". If you want, you can even take a ride on these boats along the city’s canals.

The city centre is not big at all, and it will not take much time to get acquainted with it. Here you can find cosy cafés, souvenir shops, a small market, as well as several churches and all this through small narrow cosy streets.

When I was walking around the city, I was also interested in finding two local traditional sweets that I had never tasted before. One of them is Ovos moles, which is made from egg yolks and sugar. These sweets were originally made by nuns in ancient monasteries, and the recipe was passed on to the townspeople after the monasteries closed. In their most popular form, they are wrapped in rice paper and shaped into various designs. You can find them in pastry shops across the city.

And another interesting sweetness are Tripas de Aveiro, which are similar to pancakes, but made from thicker dough. They are served with fillings like jam or chocolate. I often bought these pancakes, sat on a bench near the canal, ate and enjoyed the views. If you ever visit Aveiro, don’t miss the chance to try these local specialities.

A city full of details

I always loved visiting the city centre and often spent time wandering through its streets. The city has a special charm, and it is very cosy and inviting. Every time I found some new details. For example, balconies that I had not seen before, flowers blooming on windows, or intricate designs on building facades. It is amazing how you can always find something new, even when it feels like you have seen everything.

During the day, you can relax at a café with a refreshing drink while enjoying beautiful canal views. At night, the city comes alive with a vibrant nightlife, offering plenty of spots for fun and entertainment.

To be continued…

This was just the beginning of my incredible journey. In the following parts I will talk about life at the University of Aveiro, student events, and my travels across Portugal. This experience has changed my life, and I am happy to share it with you!