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A corny as it may sound, Porto really is something else. Just the right size, great night life
and incredibly welcoming people make this place the Erasmus destination of the year 2024.
- the place to be on your Erasmus journey.

Despite the popular belief that sun always shines in Portugal, I was surprised by the bad
weather upon my arrival. However, the warmth of this city surpasses the occasional rain.
Was it mere luck or truly the city’s vibe remains unknown, but most people in Porto are
incredibly warm and welcoming.

As former Erasmus students know, the first days in a new country are often challenging,
marked by troubles with accommodation, figuring out the new university, and a bit of anxiety
in the face of the unknown. But after the initial fears pass - which they always do - the true
Erasmus experience begins!

Portugal is famous for its unique university culture, popular tunas and Quiema das Fitas.
The tunas are traditional student music groups that provide a genuine taste of Portuguese
student life through beautiful performances, full of tradition and enthusiasm. Queima das
Fitas is a week-long celebration marking the end of the academic year. The city comes alive
with parades, concerts, and parties, making it an unforgettable highlight of the year.

Porto’s nightlife is vibrant and diverse. From cozy bars in the Ribeira district to clubs in
Galerias de Paris, there's something for everyone. Thanks to Porto՚ student-budget-friendly
nature and its excellent geographical position, I was able to travel quite a bit during my stay.
From mysteorious Morrocco, enchanting Sevilla and the relaxing Algarve to fairy-like
Madeira, it’s hard to pick a favorite.

What makes a city and an experience truly special are the people you meet along the way.
As grateful as I am for the city of Porto, the biggest space in my heart is reserved for all the
friends I met and loved. We shared all the ups and downs, the tears and the laughs. As my
Porto era comes to an end, my only wish is to fondly cherish the memories we made
together and carry the friendships beyond the borders of countries and languages.

In conclusion, Porto is not just a place you visit; it’s a place you feel. It’s a city that welcomes
you with open arms and leaves a lasting impression on your heart. My Erasmus journey in
Porto has been nothing short of amazing, and I can't recommend it enough for future
students looking for an unforgettable experience.

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Moje Erasmus iskustvo u Portu

“O Porto nao e um lugar, e um sentimento.” (Augustina Bessa-Luis)

Možda  zvuči otrcano, ali Porto je stvarno nešto posebno. Savršene veličine, odličan noćni život i jako topli i otvoreni ljudi čine ovo mjesto Erasmus destinacijom godine 2024 – pravo mjesto za tvoje Erasmus putovanje.

Usprkos popularnom mišljenju da sunce uvijek sja u Portugalu, na dolasku me iznenadilo ružno vrijeme. No toplina grada nadmašila je mjestimičnu kišu. Je li to bila samo sreća ili stvarna vibra grada ostaje pitanje, no većina ljudi u Portu dočekali su me raširenih ruku.

Kao što bivši Erasmus studenti znaju, prvi dani u novom gradu puni su izazova, često obilježeni problemima sa smještajem, istraživanjem novog sveučilišta, začinjeni s malo anksioznosti pred nepoznatim. Ali kad inicijalni strah prođe – a uvijek prođe – tek onda počinje pravo Erasmus iskustvo!

Portugal je poznat po svojoj jedinstvenoj sveučilišnoj kulturi, popularni tunas i Quiema das Fitas. Tunas su tradiconalne studentske glazbene grupe koje pružaju autentičan doživljaj portugalskog studentskog života kroz predivne nastupe, pune tradicije i entuzijazma. Quiema das Fitas je proslava koja traje tjedan dana, a označava kraj akademske godine. Grad oživi s paradama, koncertima, zabavama, te je zaista vrhunac godine.

Noćni život u Portu dinamičan je i raznolik. Od ugodonih barova u Ribeira distriktu do klubova u Galerias de Paris, može se pronaći ponešto za svakoga. Porto je iznimno student budget-friendly, a zahvaljujući super geografskoj lokaciji, imala sam priliku dosta putovati tijekom svog boravka. Od misterioznog Maroka, preko očaravajuće Seville, opuštajućeg Algervea do čarobne Madeire, nemoguće je izabrati favorita.

No ono što čini grad i iskustvo zaista posebni su ljudi koje upoznaš tijekom svoje avanture. I dok sam zahvalna gradu Portu, najveće mjesto u mom srcu rezervirano je za sve prijatelje koje sam upoznala i zavoljela. Dijelili smo uspone i padove, suze i smijeh. I kako moja Porto era prilazi svom kraju, jedina mi je želja s ljubalju čuvati uspomene koje smo stvorili zajedno i održati prijateljstva unatoč graničnim i jezičnim barijerama.

Na kraju krajeva, Porto nije samo mjesto koje ćeš posjetiti, to je mjesto koje osjećaš. To je grad koji te dočeka otvorenih ruku i ostavlja trajni otisak na tvome srcu. Moje Erasmus putovanje u Portu bilo je ništa manje od nevjerojatnog, i ne mogu ga dovoljno preporučiti za buduće studente koji traže nezaboravno iskustvo.