The Time of My Life

Hello everybody!

I chose this title for my post because before arriving in Porto, I read somewhere on the website of ESN Porto Prepare for the time of your life!. Back then, I laughed at it because before my own ERASMUS semester I thought it' s all about partying, having fun and annoying the local students through your care-free lifestyle ;)

But no. Now it know what they meant. Don' t expect me to explain you what because it' s impossible. I guess you' re reading my message now because you are wondering whether to go to Porto or not, just like I was reading such stories a year ago. And you know what: I couldn' t understand them. It is not an experience that can be simply described. Being an ERASMUS student is a thing that goes far beyond one' s strongest words and is therefore understandable only for those who have ever been a part of it. Your family and friends won' t understand you when you are telling them about the emotions and events you had in Porto, just like nobody understands me now. But will you care?

Definitely no! Because in your hearts and souls you' ll have millions of unforgettable memories, of periods (not moments, not hours, not days, not even weeks!) of unendless happiness. So what is ERASMUS about if not partying and having fun? - it' s about finding your second homeland, finding another home, another family, having one more town to call my town, one more country which is my country, one more place which is my home. Honestly, how many people you know who have several homes? Only a few or not even any, right? ;)

Like my mother says: life is all about creating memories. During my five months in Porto I have created more memories than during the whole 20 years before. Of course, good memories hurt much more than bad ones but, come on! It' s better to remember how you walked along the beach wearing a t-shirt a week before Christmas, how you did things you' d never thought before you' ll do, how you went for a walk with five friends from five different countries different from yours than wondering how it would eventually be, isn' t it? ;)


Beijinhos!

Emiliya Belcheva

Bulgaria

ERASMUS in Porto

"To me, Erasmus has always seemed a learning experience, a road that teaches you new things exactly ‘each step of the way’ and transforms you overnight, much to your surprise and wonder. That’s why I have decided to go on this Erasmus.

What I’ve learned is that I am stronger and more independent than I have ever thought I would be, but, most importantly, that I am truly happy only among people, being together, laughing together and living together the amazing Erasmus spirit, people so similar to me no matter their culture, the color of their eyes or the way they say ‘I love you! I will miss you, my friend!’.

To me, Erasmus means short-term friendships and some good long-term ones, nights of crazy fun and nights of sharing ideas, thoughts and feelings, days of studying and days of traveling and, then, more days of traveling, periods of limitless energy, a lot of ‘first time’ experiences and a never-ending joy. There are no troubles, no mistakes and no worries! Just the freedom to be yourself, to learn and to make the most of it!

Just after arriving here, someone told me Porto is a dream and it is forever and I intend to make this dream my reality whatever the city I will leave in.

For those who might be reading this and thinking of going on an Erasmus, I can only say TRY IT AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND because as great as the Erasmus experience might seem from the outside, it’s even greater when you live it. And this is not a secret! It’s something that every Erasmus will tell you!

In the end, you will feel a bond with all the other Erasmus in the world because you know and they know how wonderful it all is. And you will belong to the coolest family ever – the Erasmus family!


Malina from Romania

A great experience!!!

"A beautiful experience of life" I would describe the ERASMUS experience. I’ve met enthusiastic teachers and also passionate about their jobs, classmates with whom I’ve spent few precious hours and, above all, I’ve rediscovered my qualities such as desire for knowledge and passion for involvement in exciting projects.

It is an exchange of experience which I recommend to all who want to know better themselves, better awareness of the culture in which they live and make friends and acquaintances in other countries.

There is much to say but I’m stopping here, encouraging you: “Get out of the box, travel, and study and instead of rushing to disband something, add something ... Innovate!!"

Larisa Voiculescu
Romania

Erasmus = “Live the unforgettable!”

Somebody once said to me: ‘Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you’. So I did! I chose to come at ISCAP, in Portugal. The reason is, because I heard only good things. When I arrived here, I found that everything it’s true.
The worst thing about Erasmus is that it has to come to an end eventually. Is the worst thing because after having an amazing time here for five months, I have to say goodbye to all the wonderful friends I’ve made, to all beautiful things found here. But… to be a student at ISCAP is to live the unforgettable!

It will be hard to leave behind ISCAP, Porto, Portugal… but Romania is my home, and it's time to come back to reality - after the best five months of my life.
Eliza Ciolacul
Romania

Estúdio do Nat no Porto

Hi, I'm Nat ...--the emergency broadcaster from Porto-- I'm always kidding ...But I got these feelings from Porto.

If you have to choose a country for Erasmus program you should really care about population, weather, people, transportation ...etc. ... And fortunately Porto is really good at carrying these possibilities. People are great, transportation is easy and relaxing, the weather makes you feel like you're in summer during the whole day.

In summary, a reality--->you’ll find yourself here...

Adnan Dal .....>Turkey

It’s time for you …

Although I’ve asked myself many times “What am I looking for here?, I finally found the answer: I’ve found myself and not only!

I’ve met extraordinary teachers, I have faced extraordinary and totally different teaching methods than back home and I’ll live with a great, sweet experience for the rest of my life! It is time for you to try it!


Ani Daniela Alexandrou
Romania

ERASMUS - more than a school experience

Hello my name is Andrei, I’m from Romania and I have decided to do Erasmus in Portugal-Porto at ISCAP. What is so fantastic about this experience is that you learn to understand the world you live better, you learn to see things differently, you make new friends from different nationalities, you grow as a person and of course you practice your skills on a foreign language. What I have to say about the people is that, in the street, they are usually happy and really nice, Portuguese people are very welcoming and hospitable. They do their best to make you feel comfortable.

To all possible future Erasmus students in ISCAP I would say: Enjoy life with Erasmus and learn a lot more than any school can teach you.