Imagine this: you have joined one of the erasmus programs in Portugal. It’s your first time here and while you know at least a little bit about your new home, there is still so much you don’t know. Although, you are somewhat familiar with your city and chosen university. You have all the information you need concerning your course, classes, and the degree which you are aiming for, but other than that you know almost nothing about Portugal.
This is where FJ Consultants is here to help you! In this blog I will tell you everything that a student needs to know about Portugal: what activities you can do, what cities to see, how you can easily travel throughout Europe, and how you can get a job while living here.
If you are a EU/EFTA national, then you will not need a student visa in order to get a job if you are only staying for three months. However, if you intend to stay for more than three months then you will need a certificate of residence, which you can get from your local city council. If you are a Non-EU/EFTA student then you are required to have a Portuguese student visa, as well as a residence permit if your stay is longer than three months.
As a student, you can take up a part time job at a cafe, restaurant, grocery store, and many other places. Being fluent in English can get you into higher class jobs, such as those that deal with communication and interaction, translation, or even language schools. The possibilities are limitless!
You have the amazing opportunity of traveling to various countries within Europe. You can find cheap and reasonably priced flights that travel in the European continent. You can find tickets for low prices easily under 30€, so don’t hesitate to book a trip to your dream destination!
You can also travel within Portugal. Whether it be by plane, train, bus or even metro, there are plenty of charming and beautiful cities to visit. The two biggest cities in Portugal are Lisbon (the capital) and Porto; and they both offer a great deal to see. In Lisbon you have main attractions such as the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower), the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge, and the Praça do Comércio (a popular plaza).
In Porto you have well known touristic spots such as the Dom Luis I Bridge, the Torre dos Clérigos, and the São Bento Train Station, amongst many other amazing sights. There are other historical cities such as Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal, Braga (considered to be the religious center of Portugal), and Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, which are also worth visiting while staying in Portugal.
If you are wanting to brush up on your Portuguese speaking skills, sign up with IEFP’s “Portuguese For Everyone” course! IEFP, which is a Portuguese acronym for “Institute of Employment and Training”, is the main job center here in Portugal. Not only can it help you in finding job opportunities, but it also offers a training course which will help you learn Portuguese.
Whether you are here for only a semester, or even a full year, there is plenty for you to do in order to make your stay in Portugal a memorable one. Portugal has much to offer in terms of activities and amusement, therefore you should never run out of options in finding things to do or see. There are beautiful beaches and rivers to swim in, historical ruins and remains to explore, among other exciting places to visit. You should be able to find a job with no problems, especially as those who speak multiple languages, especially English, are in such high demand.
So what are you waiting for? Join an erasmus program for Portugal and experience the wonders and opportunities which this country has to offer!
Thank you for reading this blog! I hope that you found it to be very informative and helpful. Just know that Falesia Jovial Consultants is always here to help.
Until next time!
–Isabella Harding
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