I was slowly going up to the building of the university and I felt like I have never ever been to any university before and this was my first day all over again. I actually was even more nervous before the first time.
As it turned out, I shouldn't be because I could not understand anything. The courses were in Portuguese. However, the teachers and the workers of the university were more helpful than ever and everyone to this point agreed that after telling the lesson in their native language they will explain it to me in English as well - something I've never heard before because of the effort they have to put in translating it.
On the first day, we had this meeting were the residents of the school greeted us with big smiles and they introduced us to the organisations like the Erasmus Student Network (which has many programs to keep Erasmus students entertained and I have a feeling that they will supply a lot of material for this blog) but most importantly, they had a tour around the campus which can get a bit confusing. It basically has 5 buildings, each labeled with big colorful numbers and has mostly open spaces which means that if you have a class and you're late, you have to have your little shame-walk in front of not one but up to two-tree classes. Great, isn't it?
My first impression of the building after I got to used to it a little (I mean I can manage to not get lost that much) is that it has innovative ideas as the open space that we could already see taking place in our homes connecting the cooking, dining and living areas and another one of my favorites: the 24 hours room. This is the only part of the university that can be visited 24/7 and despite the really psychotic vibes the metal tables and the gloomy walls give it is a really useful place for the architecture students that have to finish a project but also don't have enough space in their basements. It also comes with light tables!
The people are open-minded and always ready to give a helping hand. In some classes, the teacher doesn't translate every word but the students sitting next to me always make sure to give a quick summary on every important detail.
The social life is something else here. If you're walking the streets of Bairro Alto & Chiado then expect to be invited to many pubs and parties cause that place barely seems to sleep and seems to be always full of students that look forward to have a beer and meet you next to it.
The laid back lifestyle really feels like more of holiday than actual working university life at the moment, but I can already tell that I've learnt one or two new things or that I already love the teaching techniques of the University of Lisbon.
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