21 reviews
4.38 / 5 based on 21 reviews
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Travel, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Lots of things to do, you'll find about them upon arrival.
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Independently - I had no other choice
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
I'd choose the same all the way, you can have best of both worlds, your own space and company from different countries whenever you feel like it. There is always someone to help you in case you need it.
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Personal comments
The university did not arrange my housing, so I have no comments.
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Brussels is a bit more expensive than Lisbon.
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Overall, Food, Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone, Travel, Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Local supermarchés have good last-day offers in foodstuffs, so it is a good idea to scan through the stores and try to find -30% offers. The last-day offers are mainly pizzas, yoghurts etc. They also have store brands that are cheaper than brand products. It was a little surprise that people purchase their garbage bags, shopping bags are not accepted for garbage tossing.
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Academic
Course recommendations
Back then the Bologna process was about to be implemented so the courses were a bit different. We were given the full liberty to choose all the courses we wanted and even try them out for a class or two and then decide. I absolutely loved the freedom of choice we had.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Overall
I wish I had known...
Not really, I was already living and studying abroad so I did not expect cultural shock or other difficulties.
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In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
The university is very good and demanding, especially after the first-year courses.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Learn some French before arriving because you may need it; not everyone speaks English even though Brussels is very cosmopolite. It is also recommedable to try to communicate in French when you first arrive to the university. If you have the time, do learn some Flemish, there are a lot of courses and also affordable ones.
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Kati K
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
Translation/Interpretation, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Languages
Language of instruction: French
Was learning French a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my French
How much did you improve your French?
My level before: At ease in most situations
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I wanted to improve my spoken French, I already had a quite good command of French but I needed fluency and I think I developed my skills.
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