From February to June 2026, I spent an Erasmus semester in Setúbal, Portugal. During this time, I studied at the School of Education of the Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal and completed an internship at a local primary school. This experience allowed me to gain valuable academic, cultural, and personal insights.

The University

I studied at the School of Education of the Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, it is a really big campus. During my semester abroad, I attended the following courses:

• Portuguese Language and Culture
• Sports, Tourism and Leisure
• Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Communication
• Performing Arts and Creative Processes
• Sound and Image Scapes
  

The learning environment at the university was very pleasant. The professors were friendly, supportive, and approachable. Most classes were taught in small groups of five to seven Erasmus students, which created a relaxed atmosphere and allowed for close interaction with both lecturers and fellow students.

One disadvantage was that, apart from the Sports course, there was little contact with Portuguese students. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the selection of courses because they offered a good balance between cultural, creative, and practical activities.
The Portuguese Language and Culture course was particularly well organised and helped me learn the basics of the Portuguese language. The lecturer, Ana Albuquerque, created a motivating learning environment.

In Sports, Tourism and Leisure, I especially appreciated the variety of activities that introduced us to the local region. My favourite activity was kayaking, as it was a new experience for me, especially in a coastal environment. I also found it interesting that the course addressed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Performing Arts and Creative Processes was another highlight. The course focused on art and drama education and encouraged creativity and self-expression. I gained many ideas and activities that I hope to incorporate into my future teaching practice.
Cultural Diversity and Linguistic Communication was more theoretical but provided valuable insights into languages, cultures, and communication. Although some topics were repetitive, I found the course informative.

The concept of Sound and Image Scapes was very interesting. Although the course organisation could have been improved, I enjoyed the practical work in the recording studio. Due to time limitations, we were unable to produce the planned short film and instead created and edited an audio-based project.

Internship

As part of my Erasmus semester, I completed an internship in a second-grade class at Academia Luísa Todi Primary School.
The placement provided valuable insights into a different educational system and teaching culture. Compared to Austria, teacher-centred instruction appeared to play a more significant role in daily classroom practice. Observing these differences helped me reflect on my own educational beliefs and future teaching methods.
One challenge was communication with the pupils. Only a few children spoke English, and my Portuguese language skills were not sufficient for longer conversations. Despite this difficulty, I was able to observe classroom interactions and gain valuable practical experience.

Accomodation

During my stay in Setúbal, I lived in a shared apartment with five other Erasmus students. Each resident had their own room, and four of the six rooms had private bathrooms. I shared a bathroom with one flatmate.
The apartment was very spacious, modern, and well organised, with a total size of approximately 190 square metres. Its location was another major advantage. It was situated close to the city centre, only five minutes on foot from the main square, seven minutes from the central train station, five minutes from the nearest supermarket, and around twenty minutes from the nearest beach.
The monthly rent was €370, which I considered reasonable given the size, location, and facilities of the accommodation.
Living in such a large shared apartment was a new and interesting experience for me. At home, I am used to sharing an apartment only with my girlfriend, so living with five other people from different countries and cultural backgrounds required some adjustment. However, everything worked very well, and my flatmates were friendly, respectful, and easy to live with. The
international atmosphere of the apartment was one of the highlights of my Erasmus experience.

I would definitely recommend the accommodation because of its excellent location and spacious layout. The only negative aspect was the landlord, who was not particularly friendly or helpful. Another challenge was the temperature during the winter months. Like many buildings in Portugal, the apartment was not well insulated, which made it feel relatively cold indoors. However, this is a common issue throughout the country and not specific to this accommodation.

The City

Setúbal is an ideal city for students who prefer a smaller and more relaxed environment instead of the hustle and bustle of a large city. The city is safe, easy to navigate, and offers everything necessary for daily life, including shops, shopping centres, restaurants, bars, and cultural activities.

Most places can be reached on foot. Although the university campus is located outside the city centre, it is well connected by public transport and can be reached by train in approximately eight minutes.

Another advantage of Setúbal is its proximity to Lisbon. The Portuguese capital can easily be reached by public transport, making it possible to enjoy both the calm atmosphere of Setúbal and the opportunities of a larger city.

The location also allowed me to travel extensively during my semester abroad. I visited destinations such as Porto, Seville, Marrakesh, and several smaller towns throughout Portugal. Thanks to affordable transport connections and the nearby Lisbon Airport, travelling was both convenient and budget-friendly.

Academic, Cultural and Social Evaluation

Overall, my Erasmus semester was an extremely valuable experience from an academic, cultural, and social perspective.
Academically, I benefited from innovative and creative courses that broadened my understanding of education, culture, and communication. The practical experiences gained during my school placement also allowed me to compare different educational systems.

Culturally, living in Portugal enabled me to experience everyday life in a foreign country and gain a deeper understanding of Portuguese culture. I particularly appreciated the relaxed attitude towards life that characterises many aspects of Portuguese society.

Socially, the Erasmus experience offered the opportunity to meet people from many different countries and cultural backgrounds. Whether at university, in my shared accommodation, or during leisure activities, I was constantly exposed to new perspectives and experiences.

Learning Experiences and Future Professional Development

I am convinced that I gained experiences that would not have been possible without studying abroad. Living independently in a foreign country, adapting to a different culture, and communicating in English most oft he time significantly contributed to my personal growth.

The experience will also benefit my future career as a teacher. Working with people from different cultural backgrounds has strengthened my intercultural competence and understanding of diversity. These skills are increasingly important in modern classrooms and will help me create an inclusive learning environment for my future pupils.

The creative methods I encountered, particularly in the Performing Arts and Creative Processes course, will also influence my future teaching practice and provide inspiration for classroom activities.

Personal Development

My stay abroad had a strong impact on my personal development. Living away from family and friends encouraged me to become more independent and self-reliant. I also had the opportunity to reflect on myself, my goals, and my future.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of maintaining a balanced and less stressful approach to daily life. The relaxed lifestyle I experienced in Portugal had a positive effect on my well-being and productivity, and I hope to carry this mindset into my life after returning home.

Overall, the Erasmus semester in Setúbal was an unforgettable experience that enriched me academically, professionally, and personally. I am grateful for the opportunity and would highly recommend a study abroad experience to other students.

Photos & Text: Stefan Batljan