Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Porto
speciality: Biological Sciences

I appreciate the practical, hands-on approach to learning at ESB. The emphasis on applying theoretical knowledge through lab work, projects, and real-world scenarios makes the learning experience both engaging and relevant.

One of the standout aspects of the program is the involvement of industry professionals who regularly share their experiences and insights with us. Having experts from the field explain how what we learn in the classroom connects to real-world applications not only deepens our understanding but also inspires us to think beyond the textbook.

I’m grateful to be part of an environment that prioritizes practical skills and real-world readiness.

I recommend it to everyone because I was very warmly welcomed and I learned a lot in a pleasant atmosphere. The subjects were very well discussed and we received all the materials in english. The professors stayed in touch with us and responded to our questions promptly.

I spent three months at UCP, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, under the supervision of Professor Manaia.
It was a fantastic experience, both for the knowledge I acquired and for campus life.
I have nothing to complain about. Everyone was kind and helpful, and the campus offers everything you could look for in a university.

The Catholic University was a home for me. I felt welcomed right away, by the professors, the administrators, and the students. I remember my first classes vividly. The professors were very clear about their syllabus; I already knew how to interact with each one of them and what my commitments would be throughout the semester. Each of them made themselves available immediately, understanding the difficulties that Erasmus students might naturally encounter, always listening to our needs and communicating calmly with them. Both during and after class, and outside of class, all the professors dedicated time and passion to reiterating topics that might not be clear and listening to our concerns. Every class was a new discovery; every professor fueled in me a desire to learn, discover, analyze, and study. The practical lab lessons allowed me to further understand, delve into specifics, and see and experience firsthand the work I’d previously done in theoretical classes. This is undoubtedly a huge plus for the university. Furthermore, the services it offers are excellent. Everyone there had a warm smile to share with the students, and this helped make it a more pleasant place. Furthermore, everyone cared about our well-being, and both the welcome days and the final days were wonderful and useful for immediately getting to know the new classmates who would be accompanying us on this experience. The words that best describe my experience here are definitely: WELCOMING, HELPFUL, KNOWLEDGE, COMMITMENT. Thank you, Catolica, for being a second home, thank you for taking care of me.

During my PhD, I spent three months at the Biotechnology School, and my experience was excellent. Thanks to the efforts of my colleagues in the research group, I learned a lot, and their kindness also made my stay wonderful.

My experience at Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Porto was very positive. The facilities are modern, well-maintained, and well equipped, providing a comfortable and efficient environment for research and academic work. Laboratory infrastructure and technical resources were readily available, which greatly supported day-to-day activities.

In addition, the people were extremely welcoming and supportive. Both academic staff and colleagues were approachable, professional, and always willing to help, creating a friendly and collaborative atmosphere. Overall, it was a pleasant and productive place to work and learn.

I did my internship in the CBQF building, and I really liked the university environment there. The students were really implicated in research and laboratory practices. Moreover, the people I worked with were really nice and welcoming.

My experience at the university was extremely positive. I did not come to attend regular classes, but rather to develop part of my research, and from the very beginning I was warmly welcomed, to the point that I extended my originally planned stay. The laboratories are very well structured, organized, and offer excellent conditions for scientific research. However, beyond the infrastructure, what truly stands out is the human aspect of the experience.
I was exceptionally well received and guided by Professor Manuela Pintado, whose professionalism, availability, and academic excellence made a significant difference throughout my stay. She also appointed Tania Ribeiro to supervise my work, an extremely competent, dedicated, and intellectually outstanding professional, whose support was fundamental to the development of my research. I am deeply grateful for the trust, guidance, and support I received, which made this experience not only productive from a scientific perspective, but also personally enriching. I would highly recommend this university to students seeking a serious, well-structured, and genuinely supportive environment for research.

As my Erasmus internship draws to a close, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the guidance, support, and mentorship of the professor during my time in the laboratory. Working alongside her and her team has been an exceptionally rewarding experience, both scientifically and professionally.

If you cook for your self or eat at some cheap university cantines you can save money on food. You can save money on phone if you take special packages. Besides the phone and food… Overall, I never had any problems with the language, my Portuguese language skills improved a lot after my exchange period.