Expenses Reviews
4.03 / 5 based on 238 reviews
Useful |
1
Juliano K
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines
Management Science, Undergraduate, Erasmus
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
Family<br>
Other
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I come from Metro Manila, Philippines... low cost of living + huge gap between rich and the poor = several people who feel like kings here yet are middle class citizens all over the world.
OK, breakdown of WHY:
premise A: If I had lived a non-extravagant life (food + travel + party), I would have basically incurred the same expenses a normal class AB guy in the Philippines would have incurred.
premise B: Even at these prices, Portugal was very cheap for me. Think of the price as a tad bit higher than USA prices in the basic amenities and necessities department but pale in comparison with USA prices in the area of luxury.
For Food:
a. I cooked more for myself only = less people to spread amongst the expense
b. used more premium ingredients
c. ate out at restaurants more
For Telephone:
a. it can be avoided (even placed at a minus by using Skype), but my smart phone was locked to a local Filipino company so... I decided against my better judgment to use it instead...
b. if you buy a local SIM (I did for local calls and texts), the cost will be equal with that at home... assuming you are a class AB citizen of Manila who is on a postpaid account
c. If Skype is not you cup of tea, or your laptop's mic broke or etc. etc., ask the residence reception for your room's extension number. Skype to landline calls are EXTREMELY cheap.
For Housing:
I don't rent at home. But rent is around 160-190 Euros for the uni. dorm and anywhere around 200-500 Euros at a normal flat in the city.
For travel:
It is Erasmus... say yes to everything travel-related
Read more >
Overall, Travel, Nightlife, Housing, Food, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
On text books:
you may photocopy parts of them, it is illegal to copy the book *winks*, or buy from local students
On household items:
4 words: cheap Chinese corner store
On computers:
University has a lot; mall has a lot; residence has some; internet is good
On health:
cheaper than America; on par with Europe; ludicrously more expensive than the Philippines, don't get sick.
Bed bugs still exist in Europe... be sure to check the sheets so as to not contract hives or allergies because Benadryl is not sold in drugstores...
On the bank:
You have to get a NIF (Numero de Identificacao Fiscal) from the Loja do Cidadao before opening an account. Here you need a Portuguese citizen to accompany you.
On money from home:
Western Union has partnered with Correios, a local mail company, so all transfers are to be received there. Be sure to bring your passport and transaction number.
Cost-saving:
Buy any ERASMUS card at the start of your stay to waive bar/club/disco entrance fees.
Rotate cooking for many people amongst your flatmates/floormates. It is a cultural experience and is also affordable for everyone.
Buy non-perishables in bulk.
Eat at the university cafeteria (quick fix).
Subscribe to the European sandwich culture (eat sandwiches...)
Avail of a Metro/bus card (amount of monthly deposit is your prerogative based on your needs)
Again, buy an Erasmus card for cheaper tours to other cities and countries.
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0
Andrea S
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Basically, I was trying to enjoy my stay as much as I could. As I knew my parents would support me in this, I tried not to worry about money too much - without wasting it of course.
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Nightlife, Overall, Food, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Travel:
was the same price as at home.
Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
We found that opening a bank account in Portugal is a bit difficult (in some banks for foreign students even impossible!) and can cost you a starting capital of 50 to 500 Euro !!
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0
Noémie V
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Family
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
I spent more because it was the first time I was leaving by my own, not in my family anymore. I had to pay everything. I travelled a lot, and called often my friends in Lisbon and my family. But in general, life was cheaper in Lisbon than in Brussels.
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Housing, Travel, Overall, Food, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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0
Nuria R
Expenses
Main source of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Other sources of funding:
Family
Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience
Personal spending habits
Portugal is more cheap than Spain, I know that I had no so much money so I tryied not expend so much and I did a lot of thing (travel, dinner outside...) with no so much money.
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Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Food, Nightlife, Housing, Overall, Travel:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
If you are erasmus you will not find problems like open an account.
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0
seppe
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Housing is really expensive in Lisbon! Only food items are really cheaper. All the rest is more or less equal to the prices in Belgium.
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Housing:
was more expensive than at home.
Nightlife, Overall, Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Travel, Food:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I thought everything would be cheaper, but this isn't the case...
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0
Eva-Maria G
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
Personal savings<br>
An ERASMUS grant<br>
A private grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
portugal in some kind is cheaper, but this seduces you to spend more money. My main point of expenses was housing, where I always found pretty cheap commodities in Austria but not in Lisbon
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Overall, Travel, Housing, Telephone:
was more expensive than at home.
Food:
was the same price as at home.
Nightlife:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
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