Raul Vilela

Dobrý deň, Hello, Olá!

My name is Raul Vilela, and I'm here to show you my experience in this Erasmus+ in Slovakia 😆. But to start this blog right, first I'm going to talk about myself.

I'm 17 years old, born and raised in Portugal, I like to make people laugh and have fun doing what I like, and I have the patience to do the things I don't like 😔.

I am a student at Loulé Secondary School and am already in my last year of schooling. I hope I can get a good average and good results in the exams to go to university.

This is my second Erasmus+ I hope it will be as good as the previous one or even better, I also hope to get to know the culture and lifestyle there well.

Playing games on PC and programming are the two things I like to do the most.

I started to going to the gym a short time ago but I already miss it😭. The gym helps me relax my mind on those days that I'm feeling really down. I lift weights and that makes me feel brand new, almost.

And finally I love playing volleyball it is very good to relax the mind and a challenge to get better and better.

Day: -1

Starting my video

Before starting my experience, I already started making my end of Erasmus video.

But why am I making the final Erasmus video so early?

As I have experience from the last Erasmus I did, I already know that leaving the video for last is not a good idea, because I didn't have time to make a good video and it didn't have good quality, in other words, I'm starting to make videos to have good quality and not leave everything for the end.

My suitcase is almost ready

My suitcase is almost ready, I just need a few things, but the most important things are already there, such as warm clothes, hygiene products, medicines, shoes and boots.

Day: 1

At the airport

Starting this Erasmus off well! I began by waking up at 5:45 AM, and of course, I was super excited to wake up that early 😆 (obviously not). I arrived at the airport around 7 AM so we could check in our luggage and not be too last-minute.

Surely, this moment is emotional for both parents and students because we won’t see each other again for a month. I hope everything goes well so I can come back with plenty of magnets and a richer culture.

Our itinerary

First we start with

First we start with a 3:25 hour trip from Faro to Vienna

But why didn't you go directly to the capital of Slovakia?

Because it is cheaper to go to Vienna and then take the train/bus to Bratislava than to go directly to Bratislava

Secondly we finish with

Secondly we finish with a 1 hours trip from Viena to Bratislava

Faro 🛫-------------------->🛬 Vienna

It was a smooth trip, no one felt unwell. There was only some turbulence that scared us a bit, but everything went as expected. The best part of the trip was that we were all close to each other, and we got to eat some really good gummies 😋.

Vienna🚎--------------->🚎 Bratislava

When we arrived in Vienna, we technically didn't leave the airport; we stayed waiting for the bus next to the airport to go from Vienna to Bratislava. The trip was smooth, playing Brawl Stars and enjoying the view, which was very green and had a lot of wind turbines. When we arrived in Bratislava, we took 3 Ubers to go to the Patio Hostel.

Patio Hostel 🏢

Outside the hostel

On the outside, it was a modest place with no cracks, but the floor had some holes that later created a large puddle.

Inside the hostel

Inside the hostel, there are 5 floors, a common room, a bar, a laundry, a smoking room, a kitchen, and a place to store bicycles.

Hostel Rating

Quality: 5/10

Size: 6/10

Comfort: 5/10

Location: 6/10

Wi-Fi: 4/10

Price: 6/10

The old city

And to end the day, we took the opportunity to walk around the old part of Bratislava. It is a beautiful capital, and it still has many well-preserved elements, such as old architecture, monuments, and part of the ancient castle. One curiosity is that there are several structures that resemble ones I saw in Lithuania.

Lastly, we went out for dinner. We first tried a traditional Bratislava restaurant, but since the food didn’t seem very appetizing, Duarte and I decided to go to a burger place that his friends had recommended and it was one of the BEST burgers I’ve ever had!

Rate:

Food - 10/10
service - 8/10
Place - 8/10

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 2

Starting the day

To start the day, we had breakfast at the hostel, which consisted of a chocolate croissant, juice, and an apple, but I forgot to take a picture of it.

Fake study trip

Old Market

The market was very beautiful both inside and outside. From the outside, it reminded me a lot of a market we saw in Lithuania. Inside, it was very beautiful modern, but at the same time, it gave us the feeling of being old. There were many stalls selling cheese, honey, traditional sweets, vegetables, meat everything you would expect in a market.

Michael's Gate

This tower was recently restored, but it is very beautiful both inside and outside. Even though I have vertigo, I managed to go to the top to take pictures of the view while absolutely terrified of the height! 😭

A small sweet

While exploring Bratislava, we tried a traditional sweet called Trdelník. It’s a sweet dough rolled around a cylinder, baked, and then coated with sugar and cinnamon. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside the one we tried was filled with Nutella, which made it even better!

Trdelník Rate:

Food - 8/10
service - 10/10
Place - 7/10

Bratislavský hrad ( Bratislava Castle)

The Bratislava Castle is the main tourist attraction in the city. It is located on top of a hill and offers an incredible view of the Danube River.

It was built in the Middle Ages and served as a royal palace in the 18th century.

In 1811, it caught fire and remained in ruins for over 100 years.

In the 1950s, it was restored and today is a museum.

Inside of the castel

Inside the castle, there were all sorts of interesting things from ancient Bronze Age artifacts to cool vintage Vespas from the 1920s. It was a really fun mix of old and new that made exploring the museum even more enjoyable.

LUNCHHHHHHHH

For lunch, we had pizza! I thought it would be smaller, so I was surprised. After just two slices, I was already full, and by the end, I felt like I had a baby 🤰. But the pizza was really good!

Rate:

Food - 10/10
service - 6/10
- Why:
  - They took a long time to bring the food.
Place - 10/10

And finally

Bratislava Parliament

Today we went to see the Parliament of Bratislava, but we didn’t go inside — we only saw it from the outside. The building is modern and located in a spot with a beautiful view of the Danube River and the castle.

Even without going in, it was cool to see such an important place in the country. And of course, we took some photos!

The end of the day

Time to Chill

After the exhausting trip, my feet were already hurting from going up and down stairs on the castel . We went back to the hostel and decided to try out the table football it was fun! It felt great to relax a bit after a whole day of walking.

Time to work

After resting for a bit, we started working on the blog and that its for todays day.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 3

Last Day in Bratislava

The first thing we did when we woke up was go to the supermarket (Tesco) to buy something for breakfast. What I bought was a package similar to cappuccino, a nugget sandwich, and a small cake. And then we checked out of the hotel.

Bratislava 🚂-------------------------> 🚂 Levice

Bus stop

We thought the train station was in the same place as the subway station, so when we realized we were wrong, we took the opportunity to eat. -->

Lunch

Our lunch was at McDonald's. Duarte and I took advantage of a coupon that offered two Big Macs plus six nuggets for €14.20. Normally, a single Big Mac costs around €7.10, so buying two would already add up to €14.20. This way, we got the six nuggets for free.

Going to the train station

After dinner, we got ready to take an Uber to the train station. It didn’t take long, and even though the Uber driver didn’t speak English, the service was excellent.

In the train

Some people were a bit tired after not sleeping very well the previous night, but at least we got to see how photogenic they are while sleeping.

LEVICEEE

Where is Levice ?

So, Levice, as you can see from the red dots on the map, is near Bratislava. It’s a quiet place, similar to Loulé.

( My City )

The hostel from outside

The hotel looks very beautiful from the outside and has a lovely architecture. According to ChatGPT, the hotel was built around the 1960s and 1980s.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is very good we have everything we need if we need to cook something.

In this photo, we were learning about what we can and cannot do in the hostel and receiving the key to our room.

The room 404 ⚠

I love the fact that our room is 404 because, in programming, the most well-known error is the 404 error, which means "Not Found"

⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠⚠

Hostel Rating

Quality: 9/10

Size: 10/10

Comfort: 10/10

Location: 10/10

Wi-Fi: 6/10

Price: 10/10

Traditional Food

As dinner time approached, the Slovak teachers took us to a traditional restaurant that served typical Slovak cuisine. On the way there, we passed by some beautiful green landscapes that made the trip even more enjoyable. The food was interesting to try, but I have to admit I didn’t enjoy it that much because I’m not a big fan of cheese.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 4

1st Day in school

We had to wake up very early to go with the professor who will take care of us for the rest of the Erasmus program. He showed us a path we could follow to get to the school.

Basic school

When we arrived at the school, we were welcomed with traditional dances performed by very cute little children and some snacks for our breakfast , making the experience even more memorable.

City Hall

Outside

A beautiful architecture and it was remodeled because, according to the vice president, the City Hall originally had only two floors and was faling a parts.

Inside

The place was very beautiful and i tougth is quite old. In this room, the vice president of the City Hall was present, and he showed us a video about Levice and answered some questions about Levice and Slovakia.

A quick look at Levice Castle.

Then we just went to see Levice Castle from the outside, just to get a look at it.

Lunch

This was the first time we had lunch in the school cantine, and by chance, the food was really good. I have nothing to complain about 😄.

Synagogue

From Outside

From the outside, it was very beautiful. According to what the teachers said, it was a Jewish church, but after the German invasion, they took all the Jews.

From Inside

It was also beautiful and had a design on the ceiling that I don't know what it is, but it’s really beautiful.

The items

There were plenty of very beautiful and well-decorated jewels.

Fun fact: the jewels have patterns from old houses.

There were also photos of traditional dresses.

In the afternoon

We went to visit the only shopping mall in Levice, which wasn’t good. Many stores were closed, and the fast food area was shut down because, apparently, there were leaks due to the rain.

Dinner

This was our first dinner at the restaurant where we will be dining every night. The food was incredible much better than the restaurant I had to eat at during my previous Erasmus.

And that its for all

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 5

First day of work

Our first workday started with presenting the Portugal PowerPoint, which went well. We gave two presentations, and then the teacher asked us to present to the 5th graders. She suggested letting them just ask questions about Portugal instead.

It turned out amazing it was much more interactive for both us and the students. Seeing how well it was going, so we put the PowerPoint aside and did two more presentations like that about Portugal.

For the last presentation, I was in a group of only four people. Then, the teacher asked us to switch partners, but my group was begging me to stay, and another group also wanted me. So, I decided to merge both groups, making one big team, by the end of the presentation, so many people came to ask for my Instagram because they like me.

For Lunch

I can't lie I and most of us didn’t like this food at all, but the soup was really good.

In the afternoon

It wasn’t very special because we rested after spending the whole morning talking to little kids and took the time to catch up on the blog.

And finally

We went to eat at the restaurant. Today, it was carbonara pasta, and it was 10/10. Afterward, we went to sleep very earlyyyyyyyy (00:23).

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 6

Lego Spike

Today, we started with the LEGO Spike workshop. We went an hour early to school to organize all the boxes, and even then, we didn’t have enough time, but everything still worked out.

What they did was choose a robot of their preference from the website, and they would build that, or they could do whatever they wanted. In the end, they loved it, and so did we.

The whole morning was spent doing two workshops, and it was all really great.

IMG_4340.mov

MICHAEL JACKSONN

The best dancing robot I’ve seen in both workshops, and actually, I was the one who named it "Michael Jackson Spinning Around."

Lunch

For lunch, we had meat with rice, which was excellent, and a soup that I don’t know what ingredients it had, but it was also really good.

Just chiling

After this tired day, with the stress of wondering if the workshop would go well, we rested while working on the blog. I was able to get a bit ahead on the blog.

Dinner

For dinner, it was just a well made chicken schnitzel with fries and a salad that was completely different from what I’ve tried before. I ask for mayonnaise, but since the restaurant didn’t have it, the waiter offered tartar sauce as an option. I had never tried it before, but it was really good!

Problem with the washing machine

We put our clothes to wash, but since we had never used this washing machine before, it gave us some trouble. What happened was that the machine washed the clothes, but when it finished, it started the drying cycle, and we weren’t going to wait another two hours for the clothes to dry at midnight. After a while, we managed to solve the problem.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 7

Breakfast

Let's go eat my cereal with milk, really good. Well, today we are going to visit a secondary school of mechanical engineering and IT that is here in Levice.

Presentations

We did two presentations about Portugal, but the students weren’t very interested just on the kahoot.

Some cool projects

There were several interesting projects to see, and according to what the student was explaining to us, these projects started around September of last year.

Lunch

Lunch today was really good both the soup and the pasta were delicious! I honestly hope the next meals are just as tasty. Fingers crossed we keep this winning streak going!

Volleyball ❤❤

I started playing volleyball less than a year ago, but I already love it, and I’m really glad I’ll be able to join the school’s training sessions, even though it’s just girls. The training was more intense than what we have at our school, and I loved it.

We started with a warm-up, then did mobility exercises, followed by jump training. After that, we practiced passes, then spikes, then serves, and finally, game situations And it lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Dinner

For dinner, it was bread with melted cheese and bean soup, because the day before, Mr. Leandro asked for something different which ended up being bean soup, and it was really good.

In the darkness of the night

We took some time to rest and work on the blog, as always.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 8

A small snack

These little cakes were really good, but I liked the strawberry one the most it was excellent! 🍓😋

A few more presentations

Today, we had the opportunity to do six pesentations. The students absolutely loved us, and thanks to our engaging performances, we've already become well-known throughout nearly the entire school.

Lunch

The food was good, it was fried cauliflower like a breaded cutlet, served with boiled potatoes and a soup (I’m not sure what it was made of).

Rest time

Today, we spent the day updating the blog and also took some time to relax. It was a more peaceful day, perfect for organizing our thoughts and recharging our energy for the upcoming challenges.

Basketball

Patrioti Levice vs Iskar Svit

Our dear friend, the deputy mayor, who gave us the tickets to watch the game a big thank you to him.

This was my first time watching a basketball game, and it was incredibly amazing! I loved everything, and we even got to see 4 or 5 slam dunks and genius plays that i never thougth .

Before going to sleep

Before going to sleep, we played a game called Jackbox.tv. It was really fun making jokes and having a good time.

Caught in action

When we think no one is watching, it might not be true.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 9

Nitra

5 AM

Well, today we had to wake up really early (4 a.m.) because we were catching a train at 6:12. Since we didn’t want to miss it, we left early but even so, the train was delayed by 30 minutes.

After that wait, the train finally arrived and we went to Šurany to catch another train. Luckily, we caught it just as it was about to leave, and finally we arrived in Nitra, the fifth largest city in Slovakia.

Breakfast

We bought something to eat at the supermarket. I got two sweets and a pack of cookies.

A little bit of Nitra

Church

The church was really beautiful, with amazing architecture and a super peaceful vibe inside. Even though it was just a regular church, it felt special in its own way. We stayed for a little while, looking around and just enjoying the calm atmosphere.

Nitriansky Hrad

Today we went to visit Nitriansky Hrad, the castle of Nitra, and it was really cool! The view from the top is amazing you can see almost the whole city. The castle itself is very beautiful, with a mix of old and well-preserved architecture. We walked along the walls, took some photos, and even explored the church area, which is also really pretty inside.

It was a relaxed visit, the weather was nice (luckily it didn’t rain), and we even got to enjoy the sun for a bit. I really liked the vibe of the place it felt like being in a medieval movie.

Lunch

We went for lunch at a restaurant where we could choose whatever we wanted, but most of the food was fried, as you can see.

Rate:

Food - 7/10
service - 10/10
Place - 6/10

CAT COFFE SHOP

I absolutely LOVED the cat café! It made me miss my cat back home so much. We stayed there for about two hours, I think, and it was just the cutest experience. Watching the cats play around the café and peacefully nap gave me a relaxing vibe. It was the perfect spot to enjoy some time surrounded by adorable felines.

The Team

Shoping

The Four Musketeers

We went to take a look at the shopping mall to see what it was like, and it's bigger than the one next to Loulé. Some things were cheaper and others more expensive than in Portugal.

What i bougth

I bought a pair of brown pants for 15 euros they were on sale for half the price, which is really good

Leaving Nitra

Train Station

We were already getting ready to head back from this trip when Duarte and Arturo were no longer there they had gotten off at the wrong train stop. Since they didn’t have time to make it back, we decided not to go, because we weren’t going to leave the two of them alone in a city kilometers away from Levice.

So when they arrived, the stress began so start calling the teachers asking for help, and in the end, they managed to find a bus at 9 p.m. (it was 6 p.m. at the time)

Lunch

We had dinner at the McDonald’s that was in the shopping mall I mentioned earlier. We also took the chance to charge our phones. You could tell that everyone was feeling down and a bit scared that something worse might happen.

In the Bus

But in the end, we managed to catch the bus to Levice and everything turned out fine, even though we annoyed the teachers from Slovakia and Portugal

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 10 Sunday 🤩

Wake up, princess.

Today we woke up at 10 in the morning because yesterday was a very tough day and everyone is tired.

Since it's Sunday, we’re going to take the opportunity to stay home, get ahead on the blog a bit, and rest from the week.

Lunch

Today, our lunch was supposed to be omelets, but they bought eggs for 80 cents, so they didn’t turn out very good. Then, we decided to order a kebab but since there's no Uber Eats here in Levice, we ordered from a different app. However, it took about two hours to arrive, and we had ordered it without chili, but they all came with chili.

So, the bathroom looked pretty after lunch

resting

We all spent some time working on the blog, relaxing on our own, and just having fun, joking around and doing random things.

Dinner

For dinner, we also ordered food. We didn’t use any app, we actually called the restaurant and ordered pizzas. In total, it came to over 50 euros and something for 8 pizzas, each about the size of a Supermarket pizza, meaning 33 centimeters

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 11

In the morning

Today, the weather changed completely. Yesterday was mild and pleasant, but today it dropped to just 2 degrees outside! 🥶 It was such a sharp contrast, and I wasn’t quite prepared for the sudden chill.

Highschool

Outside

The high school had an older charm to it, but it was clearly well taken care of. Despite its age, everything was well-maintained, and the buildings had a certain character that made the place feel cozy and welcoming.

Inside

The inside was just as well-maintained, and surprisingly, it was actually quite beautiful. The space had a nice modern touches, making it feel comfortable and visually appealing.

Our Work for today

We worked with Micro:bit, which was similar to LEGO Spike but much more technical. It involved using equipment that you'd typically find in a PC or other similar devices. The hands-on experience was incredibel , allowing us to dive deeper into programming and electronics, offering a new level of complexity and creativity compared to what we're used to with LEGO.

Lunch

So, for lunch today, the main dish was meatballs served with beans.For dessert, we were given these waffle-style cookies that looked simple, but actually had a really nice flavor and texture.

Work in school

I stayed at school for a while to take advantage of the great Wi-Fi and work on the blog while It was the perfect opportunity to get some things done, and I really enjoyed the chance to focus in such a productive environment. Of course, I was also excited about the practice ahead, as volleyball is something I'm really passionate about!

Volleyball training

Another volleyball practice today, and while it was a bit boring , we still managed to get in some solid training. It wasn’t the most exciting session, but we definitely worked hard. I’m just really hoping that tomorrow we’ll finally get to play a match, even if it’s only for 20 minutes. 😭

Dinner

The sauce looked a bit weird, but it was actually really good, and the rest of the food was great too. So far, this restaurant is a 10/10!

LIDLLL

We went to buy some snacks for our afternoon break at our beloved and dear Lidl.

Blog

A bit more work on the blog since, as always, it was behind. Let’s see if I can finally catch up everything tomorrow!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 12

The Work Today

Today, we went back to the school from yesterday to assemble computers. We carefully put together all the components and installed Windows on each PC. I really enjoyed the activity it was the first time I ever assembled a fully functioning computer and installed an operating system myself. It felt so rewarding to see everything come together and work perfectly in the end. I learned a lot and can’t wait to do it again.

Presentation of Slovakia

The students were given specific topics to discuss about their country, including fun facts about the location, famous Slovak actors, popular souvenirs, and the top tourist sites. Each of them shared interesting insights, making the presentation both informative and engaging. Afterward, we presented our findings to the rest of the class, and it was a great opportunity to learn more about Slovakia while practicing our presentation skills.

Lunch

For lunch, we had something sweet, as every Tuesday they serve a typical dessert. The dish was sprinkled with cocoa powder on top and had a texture similar to bread dough. It was filled with a fruit jam that I couldn’t quite identify, but it was delicious and unique. The combination of flavors made it a memorable treat, and I really enjoyed trying something new!

Volleyball

Today, the practice was much better. We focused on game situations, working on shooting, passing, and other key skills, just like we always do. Toward the end, we finally got some game time in, but I had a bit of a struggle with receiving the ball today. It was frustrating, but it was also a good reminder that mistakes are part of the process.

Blog

The rest of the day was spent updating the blog, and after a lot of work, I FINALLY managed to catch up on everything! 🙏 It felt so good to be back on track, and I can now relax knowing everything is up to date.

Dinner

Today, we had chicken schnitzel with fries and a side of cucumbers. At the end, the rest of the group decided to have a bit of fun with me. I was playing on my phone and wasn’t paying attention to what was in front of me, so they secretly placed all the bowls of cucumbers next to me. It was a hilarious little prank, and I didn’t notice until I looked up!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 13

Our Work for today

We started the day by replacing the HDDs in the computers in Professor Peter's lab with SSDs. At first, we ran into a problem because the computers weren’t recognizing the HDDs. So, they brought in two other PCs to clone the HDDs to the SSDs, which worked out perfectly. After that, we installed the SSDs into the computers, assembled everything again, all was working well.

While we were waiting for the HDDs to be cloned to the SSDs, we took the opportunity to organize the LEGO pieces into the correct boxes. This way, we could be ready to present the workshop to the teachers, encouraging them to use LEGO SPIKE in their classes to both engage and entertain their students.

Lunch

Lunch was really good. I didn’t like the soup that much, but the main dish was very tasty. The sauce reminded me of "canja," which is a Portuguese soup made with chicken and pasta.

Animal shelter

We went to visit a dog shelter, and there were quite a lot of dogs there which was a bit sad, because it means many of them had been abandoned. But the dogs were really beautiful and friendly. We were allowed to walk them and give them some love and attention, which was really nice. I didn’t walk any of them myself, though because I’m more of a cat person

Dinner

Dinner was fried cheese. I’m not a big fan of cheese, and it wasn’t that bad to me but the best part was the garlic mayo, it was amazing!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 14

Study Trip

Today we’re going on a trip with the teachers and some Slovak students. We’re going to visit a company, a university, and then finish the day at the thermal baths to relax our minds a little.

It’s going to be a mix of learning and chill time a great way to explore new things while also taking a break from the usual routine.

Pixel Fedration

Pixel Federation is a company that develops games, mainly focused on the mobile market and free-to-play games . I really loved the design and atmosphere of the company — the workspace was modern, creative, and super welcoming. The people working there seemed really friendly and passionate about and there were even dogs in the office, which made it feel even more relaxed and fun!

Honestly, I could really see myself working there one day, or at a similar company. It seems like a great environment for anyone who loves games and wants to be part of a creative and innovative team.

Lunch

We went to a shopping mall that was right next to the company. The mall was actually really nice and well-designed. We ended up eating at Burger King, but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend eating there — the burger was way smaller than the ones in Portugal. Total scam 😅

University

We visited a university in Bratislava, and it was really impressive! They had all sorts of amazing robots and mechanical arms designed for production lines. Some of the machines looked so advanced, it was almost intimidating especially knowing that just one of those robotic arms weighed a whole ton!

It was super cool to see that kind of technology up close. Definitely one of those moments where you realize how far engineering and automation have come.

Hot Springs

The thermal baths were amazing! The whole place felt warm and steamy because of the hot pools one of them was even at 34.5°C (which was way too HOT). But honestly, it was an unforgettable experience, especially since I had never been to thermal baths before.

And as someone who’s not a fan of cold water, this was perfect for me!

Dinner

Since it was already past the restaurant’s closing time, and because Peter is friends with the owner, they packed the food in plastic containers so we could eat it back at the hotel. And no that’s not vomit it’s just rice and chicken!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 15

In the morning

We split into two groups. The first group worked on disassembling computers, replacing the HDDs with SSDs, then putting everything back together and checking to make sure there were no errors. It was a bit technical, but really satisfying to see everything working in the end.

The second group focused on organizing the LEGO boxes in preparation for the workshop we’re going to do with the teachers. Everything had to be sorted and ready so the session could run smoothly.

PCs

We swapped the HDDs for SSDs in over 15 computers, which was a lot of work!

Legos

We had to organize more than six boxes of LEGO, and it was a lot of work!

Lunch

Today, I didn’t really like lunch because it was fish. I’m not much of a fan of fish, but I still tried it. The rest of the food, though, was really good!

i don't have much to say

Lego spike workshop for the teachers

We showed the teachers how they could use LEGO Spike to improve both their students' skills and their own. It was really fun teaching the teachers because they’re from an older generation, and they were so happy that they looked like kids again! It was so adorable to see them so excited.

Volleyballllll

Today’s training was amazing because I was hitting my attacks and serves with top spin, which I’m not very good at yet. So, I’m really happy with the progress!

I’m not going to be posting photos all the time because I don’t want to take pictures of people, and it’s not really convenient to bring my phone to training.

Dinner

Today we had pizza, and I liked it, but it got a bit too much because of the corn on it. I know, it sounds strange pizza with corn but we just asked for pizza, and this is what we got. Apart from that, it was really good!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 16

Volleybal match

Today we went to watch a volleyball match it was the Levice Palas team against another team (I’m not sure of the name). The match was super exciting, with lots of great plays and high energy on the court.

Levice Palas played with a lot of confidence and teamwork, and they managed to win 3–0 in both games against the same team. Their serves, blocks, and spikes were really on point, and you could tell they were well prepared.

IMG_4909.mov

Lunch

We didn’t know what to eat after watching both games, so we decided to give Mc Kebab 2 a second chance and honestly, it wasn’t that bad. Last time was just a misunderstanding!

Basketball match part 2

Once again, we got free tickets, so we took the opportunity to go watch the Levice basketball team play again and it was just as incredible as last time!

Levice played an amazing game and dominated the game, winning 97–71. Some of the plays were insane fast breaks, three-pointers, and strong defense all the way through.

Levice on top 🙏🔥

Dinner

Today we had carbonara pasta with corn I’m not sure why there was corn, but I didn’t really mind. What matters is that it tasted good!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 17

In the Morning

Today, I woke up at 9 a.m., earlier than Leandro, so I decided to get a head start and have breakfast right away. Since we weren’t planning on leaving the house today, I wanted to take advantage of the morning to begin working on my PAP (final project).

Leandro, however, was still sleeping, so at 10:30 I had to wake him up by telling him it was already 11 otherwise, he wouldn't get out of bed! Once he finally got up, I took the opportunity to do some laundry and put the clothes in the dryer. It was a calm and productive start to the day.

My work

I spent some time improving the section where the player can view their statistics, making it more user-friendly and intuitive. I also made a few adjustments to the website’s CSS and HTML to enhance the overall look and feel. It’s now cleaner, more organized, and visually appealing.

Lunch

Today I had lasagna for lunch. Since it’s Sunday and almost everything is closed, I decided to go with my favorite meal lasagna. It was the perfect choice for a relaxing day at home.

My work Part 2

In the afternoon, I focused on working on the report, which is a really important part of the PAP (final project). It’s a key section that contributes to the final grade, so I wanted to make sure I gave it the attention it deserves. Little by little, everything is coming together!

my report ---->

Dinner

Yes, I know… lasagna again! But honestly, I had no idea what else to eat, so I just went with something I knew I liked. Sometimes it’s easier to stick with a safe (and delicious) choice rather than overthinking it and lasagna never disappoints!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 18

The school

The school was relatively small, but it was impressively well-equipped with everything the students needed. It had a dedicated room for hairdressing, another for barbering, a space designed to look and function like a real beauty salon, and even a room that replicated the environment of a professional restaurant. Despite its size, the school provided a hands-on and realistic experience in each area, allowing students to learn and practice in spaces that felt authentic and industry-ready.

The work

We did two presentations using PowerPoint (mine honestly didn’t go very well 😅), and then we had two more sessions where the students were split into small groups, and we spoke with them individually instead of presenting to the whole class. It was a more relaxed and personal way to interact, and definitely less nerves than speaking in front of everyone!

Lunch

Lunch was really good! I wasn’t a big fan of the soup, but the main dish was delicious. Most people didn’t like the pickles, so they ended up giving me theirs… and let’s just say I had so many that by the end I couldn’t even look at another pickle again 😅🥒

Volleyball

Today’s volleyball practice was with a different coach, since apparently the team is trained by two different coaches. The training session had a different dynamic, but it was really good overall. I was struggling a bit with my attacks today, but my serves were on point definitely one of my best serving days!

Dinner

Dinner looked a bit weird at first, but putting that aside, it actually tasted pretty good. That said, I probably wouldn’t want to eat it again it was a bit too heavy and kind of sickening after a while.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 19

In the morning

Today it started raining, which really caught me by surprise especially because yesterday was warm and sunny. And now, out of nowhere, it turned into a grey and rainy day. Still, I have to admit, there's something nice about rainy days. The rain was light and gentle, which made the whole atmosphere feel calm and peaceful.

Work of the day

Today I presented my PAP (final project) to one of the classes, and I think some of the students really liked how the project was turning out. After that, we moved on to another class where we gave them a challenge: to try building a basic portfolio website.Many of them were a bit rusty with HTML, since their course starts with two years focused on HTML and CSS, but then shifts to different topics in the following years. To wrap things up, we did another presentation this time a bit more informal where we spoke with the students in smaller groups instead of addressing the whole class.

Lunch

The food today was actually pretty good! The highlight for me was definitely the soup it had chicken in it and was super comforting and flavorful . For the main course, we had something a bit different: it was kind of like a cake or pastry filled with cheese and topped with white sugar. It was an interesting mix of sweet and savory — not something I’d usually eat.

Volleyball

Volleyball practice was canceled today, which was honestly a bit disappointing. I really wanted to training and getting some practice in. It's always a bummer when plans change, especially when you're feeling motivated to improve.

1ST TIME IN VR META QUEST 2

Since there was no volleyball practice today, I took the opportunity to catch up on some work on the computer. I ended up working in Professor Pietter’s lab, and to my surprise, there were two VR meta quest 2 headsets available so of course, I had to try them out.

And I’m glad I did! The experience was absolutely amazing VR technology has come so far, and it was super immersive. Now I seriously want to get a pair for myself!

Dinner

Dinner tonight was absolutely delicious! I’ve officially fallen in love with tartar sauce it was just so good!

But... even after eating everything, I was still a bit hungry. I guess when the food tastes that good, it just leaves you wanting more!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 20

Work of the day

Today we spent some time organizing the LEGO boxes in preparation for the upcoming workshop with the teachers. At the same time, we were also updating the computers from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Lego workshop for teachers

During the workshop, we had the opportunity to teach teachers from another school, and just like last time, it was a really great experience. What really surprised us, though, was the fact that they had cameras worth over €10,000 filming the whole thing definitely not something we were expecting!

Lunch

I wasn’t a big fan of the soup today it was a fish and vegetable soup, which just isn’t really my thing .But luckily, the main dish totally made up for it it was really good and definitely hit the spot!

In the afternoon

In the afternoon, we moved to another room to continue updating the computers from Windows 10 to Windows 11 While the updates were installing, I took the chance to play a bit more with the VR headset I loved it so much the first time, I just had to try it again! It’s honestly such a cool experience.

Dinner

For dinner, we had pasta with a sauce that looked a little unusual at first. I wasn’t sure what to expect from it, but to my surprise, it turned out to be absolutely delicious! The flavors came together really well, and it was one of those moments when something unexpected ends up being way better than you thought.

Meeting with the teachers

In the evening, we had a meeting with the teachers to give them an update on how everything was going. They wanted to make sure we were all doing well and also to start planning our return to Portugal since it’s just around the corner. It’s hard to believe how fast time has flown!

It was really nice to see the teachers again after such a long time. There’s something comforting about reconnecting with them, and I could tell they felt the same. It almost felt like a little reunion, and it reminded me how much I appreciate their support during this time.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 21

Volleyball

This morning, Leandro and I woke up quite early to go to our volleyball practice, which started at 8:30 AM. I know that sounds early, but when you truly enjoy something, waking up for it doesn’t feel like such a chore.

Today's practice was especially exciting we finally played a real match! I was really proud of my performance because I managed to score three aces in a row.

For those unfamiliar, an ace in volleyball is when a player serves the ball and it lands directly on the opponent’s court or results in a failed return, earning a point instantly. It’s a strong indicator of a powerful and well-placed serve.

Lunch

We had lunch at Baran today, and it was actually a replacement for the dinner we missed the day we went to Nitra. Because of a mistake of that day, we couldn’t have dinner, so they switched it out for today's lunch instead.

They served a soup first I’m not exactly sure what was in it, but it tasted really good. Then came the main course, and wow... it was absolutely delicious! Honestly, I could’ve eaten a second helping. I definitely want more of that!

Hike with the teachers

This afternoon, we went on a hike organized by our two teachers. They took us to a place with a long staircase that led up to a viewpoint where you could see almost all of Levice. The hike took a little over two hours round trip, and we walked nearly 10 kilometers!

Even though my feet were hurting A LOT, I really enjoyed the views of the fields and the nature around us. It was totally worth it.

P.S.: I have a valid excuse for my sore feet I had a two-hour volleyball practice earlier, and those workouts seriously burn your legs. So i can complain🙄

Dinner

Dinner tonight felt like a kebab kind of. The meat was similar to what you’d find in a kebab, and it came with rice and fries. So yeah… a fake kebab, but honestly, it was sooo good! No complaints here.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 22

In the mornign

Today we woke up a little later than usual because we’re not doing much today. Everything is closed because in Slovakia, there are three days during Easter when everything shuts down. These days are meant for people to observe the holiday, spend time with family, and reflect on the religious significance of Easter. So, there’s not much to visit in Levice today even our beloved Lidl was closed!

Lunch

For lunch, I had some pre-made spaghetti bolognese. Since we knew everything would be closed today, we planned ahead and bought food for the day. The meal was good, but the sauce tasted more like tomato than meat.

My work today

Today, I spent some time working on my PAP, tackling the things I still need to finish. It's about 70% done, so I really need to speed things up. I also worked on my blog, catching up on finishing yesterday’s post.

In the middle of my work

Out of nowhere, it suddenly started raining heavily, which took me by surprise. The morning had been so nice, and now there were even thunderstorms rolling in!

Dinner

Tonight's dinner was my beloved lasagna, which I also bought yesterday to have today. I’m so glad I bought it it was delicious, and I’m completely stuffed now!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 23

Banská Bystrica

The beginning of the trip

This morning, we woke up really early to catch the bus at 6:12 AM.It was tough getting out of bed at 5:40 AM .

After catching the bus, we took a train that honestly looked more like a bus so basically, a train-bus.

And finally, we took one more train to reach the station. Throughout the entire journey, a kind man who helped us letting us know where to get on and off. Big thanks to the helpful stranger.

Breakfast

For breakfast, I had some pastries and a Capri-Sun because let's be honest, that flavor never fails. It might not be the best breakfast, but it definitely hit the spot.

Some of the city

Banská Bystrica Castel

A fun fact about the castle in Banská Bystrica is that it’s not just a single building, but actually a complex of different structures which is quite rare for a castle.

Unfortunately, the museum was closed, which was a bit of a shame, but the church was open and inside, it was absolutely beautiful. The architecture was really unique and unlike anything I’ve seen before.

We couldn’t take many photos because there were people praying inside, and we didn’t want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

Some Museum

(nome do museu)

This museum was actually outdoors, which isn’t very common for a museum. But when you think about it, it makes total sense with things like tanks and war machines, it would be pretty hard to fit them all inside a regular room. So having it as an open-air museum was actually quite practical, and it added a different kind of atmosphere to the experience.

(nome do museu)

We had planned to visit this museum, but unfortunately, it was closed. Since it was already around noon, we decided to take the opportunity to grab a bite to eat instead.

Shoping

From inside

The shopping mall was really beautiful, both inside and out. However, it was smaller than the mall near my hometown. But , it had a nice vibe, and I enjoyed walking around.

Lunch

For lunch, we had McDonald's, which was, of course, pretty good. One surprising thing that happened was we bumped into a group of Portuguese people, but we didn’t get a chance to talk to them because they left earlier than we did.

Last museum

At the last museum we visited, the good thing was that it was actually open today, which was a bit of a relief.

Speaking of the museum, it had many really old and fascinating artifacts that were amazing to see. There were objects from different historical periods, each with its own story to tell. The museum showcased everything from ancient tools and weapons to rare artworks, giving us a deep dive into the region's history.

One of the highlights was a collection of traditional clothing and accessories that told the story of local culture. There was also an impressive exhibit on the history of the region, with old maps and documents, which really put the whole place into perspective.

Coming back to Levice

The journey back was much easier since we only had to catch two trains. The first one was the longest, but it was pretty straightforward after that. We had a bit of time to relax and enjoy the ride.

The second train ride was much shorter only about 20 minutes but it was a totally different experience. We traveled in a little compartment for six people, which was something new for me. I had never been in one before I’d only seen them in movies! It felt a bit like stepping into an old-school travel scene, and it was actually pretty cool.

Dinner

For dinner, we had fried cheese. I ate one triangle and gave the other away since I’m not a big fan of cheese.

Levice vs Nitra

To end the day, we went to watch the game between Levice and Nitra. It was a really intense match, as both teams were strong and evenly matched. But in the end, Levice managed to turn things around and secured the win against Nitra with a 10-point lead. It was an exciting game to watch!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 24

Pukanec

In the morning

We went to the village earlier than planned because the schedule changed so we could have a traditional meal.

In the end, everything worked out and everyone managed to finish in time.

Some of the village

Today we visited a village we hadn’t been to before it was a suggestion from our teachers so we could explore and also take part in the village’s Easter celebration.

It was a nice surprise, and a great way to experience a bit more of the local culture.

One of the churches

We visited one of the two churches in the village, and it actually had some similarities to churches in Portugal.

The architecture and certain details reminded me of home, which made the visit feel both familiar and special.

Lunch

For lunch, we had a traditional dish made with homemade pasta, mashed potatoes, and a bit of bacon. It was simple but really tasty the kind of comfort food that feels homemade and full of tradition.

Making pottery

This was my first time doing ceramics it’s definitely harder than it looks, but I managed to make a small pot, and that alone made me really happy.

It was a fun and creative experience, and even though it wasn’t perfect, it felt great to create something with my own hands.

Ice cream

After all that hard work, we went to get some ice cream.

Each scoop was just 1 euro, and it was totally worth it super tasty! I definitely recommend it if you’re ever around here.

Easter festival in Pukanec

And finally, to end our visit, we went to the village’s traditional Easter festival. There were so many beautiful things to see traditional decorated sticks, patterned Easter eggs, and lots of local music and dancing. The whole atmosphere was really charming, and it was such a great experience to be part of the celebration.

Coming back

We left around 4 PM because it was the second-to-last bus back to the city where we’re staying.

Since the village isn’t very touristy, there aren’t many buses that go to the city, so we had to make sure we didn’t miss it.

Dinner

For dinner, I made pasta with a creamy meat sauce.

It didn’t turn out exactly the way it usually does, probably because the cream wasn’t the best quality but honestly, it still tasted really good! Since I wasn’t going to eat it all by myself, I made enough to share with Leandro and Martim too.

Let me introduce you to the Winx of Erasmus made by Lara

It all started when Lara got a kids’ bracelet from a Kinder egg, and everyone said it looked like something from the Winx Club.

So, just for fun, we decided to strike some poses and Lara added wings and special effects to the photos, which turned out super funny and actually pretty cool!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 25

In the morning

We woke up early today to visit the castle of Levice.

Since everything else was closed, the castle was our only plan for the day but surprisingly, the castle museum was open, which was a bit unexpected... though I’m definitely not complaining!

Museum of the castle

The museum had several pieces, some quite old and others more recent, which was really interesting to see.

There was also an exhibition on egg decoration, and to our surprise, the man who created the entire exhibit was there as well! It was pretty cool to meet the artist behind it all.

Lunch

My lunch was pretty simple just the leftovers from last night’s dinner, but it was still really good.

I guess I’m just a really great cook 😎!

At the afternoon

In the afternoon, I spent most of the time working on my blog and also making some progress on my thesis, since my pre-presentation is in just 7 days.

It’s starting to feel a bit more real, so I’m trying to stay on track!

Kinder egg

Today, after the lady from the hotel finished cleaning our rooms, she left us a Kinder egg it was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture.

Thank you so much to her!

Dinner

For dinner, I had rice with chicken and a ready-made sauce just had to heat it up and eat.

Simple, quick, and honestly not bad at all!

Last meetting

Our final meeting was to confirm the train and bus we’ll be taking on the second-to-last day of our Erasmus trip, just to make sure everything is sorted and ready.

It’s starting to feel real that it’s almost over!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 26

Volleyball

Early in the morning, at 8:30 AM, we had our second-to-last volleyball practice which is honestly a bit sad.

But since Easter was not long ago, our coach surprised us with a chocolate bunny, which was such a sweet gesture!😊

Lunch

Since everything was open again, we took the chance to eat at Baran, because they offer a daily special for just 7 euros and it includes both soup and a main dish. I went with the pineapple pizza, and it was definitely worth it!

And for dessert, I had crepes with Nutella they were absolutely amazing!

Work of the day

During the afternoon, I dedicated some time to working on my final project (PAP).

I managed to make some good progress it’s definitely further along than it was before. Still, there’s a lot to be done, and with the deadline getting closer, I really need to stay focused and keep the momentum going. It’s a bit stressful, but also rewarding to see it slowly coming together.

Dinner

For dinner, I had chicken with rice, and it was actually really good. The only thing missing was some fries then it would’ve basically been a bitoque!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 27

Business school

Outside

Inside

Professor Pieter told us that this business school is actually quite old, which is pretty impressive considering it doesn’t look that old neither from the outside nor the inside. It’s well maintained and feels modern, despite its long history.

1ºst class

In the first class, we worked on a Padlet that included several challenges like making a short video to introduce ourselves, talking about our countries, and more.

It was a great activity to learn about different cultures and helped us feel a bit less shy when speaking to new people. A fun and useful way to start connecting with everyone!

2ºnd class

In the second class, we had a workshop where we first had to create our own product and then calculate how much it cost to make.

After that, each of us received 5 dollars (pretend money) to "buy" the product we liked the most. In the end, we calculated how much profit each person made. The one with the highest profit won a bag of chocolates, and everyone else got some candy too!

It was a fun and creative way to learn about entrepreneurship and budgeting.

3ºrd and last class

Lastly, we worked on a small project using Scratch, where we had to create a house automatically through code.

After that, we did a short presentation about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Slovakia. We talked about what life is like here and whether or not we’d want to come back in the future.

It was a nice way to reflect on our experience and practice presenting our opinions in a group setting.

Lunch

Lunch today was really good both the soup and the main dish were a solid 10/10.

Definitely one of the best meals we’ve had so far!

Afternoon work

In the afternoon, I focused on working on my final project (PAP), since time is really starting to run out.

I managed to get a few things done, which is already a positive step slowly but surely getting there!

Dinner

For dinner, we had Cordon Bleu one of my absolute favorite dishes!

I used to love it back in 8th grade when they served it at school. I’d always go grab some whenever it was on the menu.

Definitely a 10/10!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 28

Work of the day

Today, we gave three presentations about Portugal. At the end, we had an interview session with pre-prepared questions from the students. It was a bit awkward, but definitely a unique experience compared to what we usually do.

Present

Since today is our last volleyball practice, we thought of giving a small gift to our coach to thank her for welcoming us into the team. We've truly enjoyed training with her and the whole team. Thank you for everything!

Last day of the volleyball training 😞

Today’s practice was really great everyone seemed super excited! Not sure if it was because we’re leaving or something else hahaha (just kidding). But the training went really well, and the coach read our letter in front of the whole team because she loved it. In the end, both Leandro and I truly enjoyed the practices and being part of the team. Thank you!

Thanks for the trainings

Dinner with the teachers

Our farewell dinner with the teachers and the principal was emotional and fun. The food was really good! At the end of the evening, the teachers gave us some lovely gifts but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to take any photos, which is a shame.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 29

Last day in the Elementary school

Work of the day

Today we had our final presentations at school, since it was our last day 😢 I'm really going to miss the students and the school—but I'll especially miss Simon (7th grade), Thomas (7th grade), Vincens (5th grade), Ottó (9th grade), Martin (9th grade), Peter (9th grade), and a few others whose names I sadly can't remember (sorry if I got any names or grades wrong 😭).

Lunch

Lunch was really good today. It was pasta with soup not much else to say about it

Gifts for the teachers

Since this is our second-to-last day in Levice and with the teachers, we decided to make these photo frames using a picture we took recently at the dinner. We also wrote a small letter for each of them. This is our way of saying thank you for all their help and for almost taking care of us like we were their own children.

From: Room 404

We from class 404 (Martim, Leandro, and Raul) made these personalized photo frames for each of the teachers because we truly appreciated them. Leandro and I also made one for the coach, but unfortunately, we weren’t able to give it to her in person.

Dinner

Today, dinner wasn’t included, but we still went to Baran because the food there is really good. We asked the waiter to recommend the best dishes on the menu, and then made our choices. I ended up with this one and it was amazing!

Most funny Foto of the Day

Day: 30

Last day in Levice

The gifts for the teachers

Today, we said our goodbyes to our dear teachers and gave them their gifts. They almost started crying, which was really touching. We spent a good amount of time talking and saying our farewells it was such a sweet moment.

Good bye teachers ❤

Leaving

Well, this is goodbye for now, but I trust we’ll see each other again one day. Today, we’re heading to Vienna, a city I hear is absolutely beautiful. It's also the day we’ll meet the professor who will help us get back home and show us around Vienna.

Meeting with teacher João Mesquita

So first, we traveled from Levice to Bratislava to meet the professor. When we arrived, the professor was really happy to see us all together and to finally meet everyone.

After talking with the professor

After we all met, we took a bus to go from one train station to another because the station we were at wasn’t the one where the train to Vienna departs from.

And finally

When we arrived at the station, we waited for about 30 minutes. After that, we took the train to Vienna. I’m really excited to visit another country with diferents cultures from Portugal and Eslovac.

Vienna

First of all

When we arrived in Vienna, the first thing we did was head to the hotel to drop off our bags, because carrying them around the city is the most annoying thing.

I won’t show the hotel just yet, because we didn’t actually enter the room. We only left our bags in a room they have set aside for that purpose.

Breakfast

We had our breakfast at 10 because we didn’t have time to eat earlier, so we were starving. We ended up grabbing something at a supermarket. I didn’t take a picture of what I got, but I bought a peach juice and a tuna sandwich and it was actually pretty good.

The main method of transport for us in Vienna

I should mention that the metro was the transport we used the most in Vienna. We bought a 24-hour ticket, so we could use the metro all day which was great, since we were going to be moving around a lot.

First think we visit

The first place we visited was St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is one of the most beautiful in the world. For me, it’s the most stunning one I’ve ever seen in my entire life and it was absolutely massive!

Inside of the cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral was one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. The outside was amazing, with its tall towers and colorful roof. The details in the walls and windows were so impressive that I couldn’t stop looking at them.

But the inside was even more beautiful. There were huge stone arches that made the space feel big . The light coming through the stained glass windows made everything better. One of the things that caught my attention the most were the big musical organs. They were so tall and detailed I could imagine how incredible they must sound during a concert or a special ceremony.

HUGO Store

One of the most random things we saw in Vienna was a Formula 1 car inside a clothing store. We weren’t expecting it at all it felt so out of place, but that’s what made it fun and memorable!

Lunch

For lunch, we went to Burger King. After I finished placing my order, I was going toward the counter when I noticed two women from Thailand. They seemed to be having trouble ordering at the self-service machines. So I asked if they needed help and of course, I helped them.

It felt really good to assist people like that. Helping others, especially when they’re in a different country and might be feeling a bit lost, is always a nice thing to do.

Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna Opera)

The second place we visited was the famous Vienna State Opera. Unfortunately, we could only see it from the outside, but it’s really detailed and looked very beautiful. I wish we had been able to see the inside too it’s not every day that you get the chance to be in Vienna

Schloss Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn palace)

After that, we went to visit Schönbrunn Palace one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen. The palace is absolutely beautiful, with its yellow exterior, elegant design, and massive gardens stretching in every direction. It’s nothing like the palaces we have in Portugal this one felt even more grand and royal.

The entire area is huge, and just walking around the gardens took quite a bit of time. There were long paths, fountains, statues, and even a small maze. We ended up walking a lot, but honestly, that was part of the experience. Even though our legs got tired, walking is good for your health, so in the end, it was totally worth it.

Amusement park

To end the day, we went to an amusement park that actually reminded me a bit of the fair in Faro but this one was much bigger and had way more attractions. There were go-karts, huge rides that reached really high into the sky, and lots of game stands where you could try your luck and win prizes. The whole place was full of lights, music, and the sound of people having fun.

My Room

This was our room it was quite spacious for two people. It had a TV, a nice bathroom, and even a picture of the Vienna State Opera hanging on the wall.

Everything was clean and comfortable, and the little details made the space feel even more welcoming.

Most funny Foto of the Day

Breakfast

For breakfast, we went to a café that was open. I had a biscuit cake and drank some hot chocolate, but their hot chocolate was made differently instead of using cocoa powder, they gave you like a chocolate lollipop on a stick to stir in the milk and let it melt. It turned out really delicious! I definitely recommend trying it.

Biggg swing

It was the biggest swing I’ve ever seen in my life, and it was so funny because it could fit me and a few others at the same time. Right next to it, there was a small playground, so while we waited for the metro to pass by the station right beside us, we played around a bit because the childlike spirit should never disappear!

Hofburg

We went to visit the Hofburg in Vienna, which was the palace where the emperors used to live. It’s really huge and full of history very different from anything we’re used to back home. I really enjoyed it because you could get a glimpse of what life was like during that time. The palace has beautiful rooms, impressive halls, and several museums that show old clothes, furniture, and important artifacts.

Visiting the Hofburg is definitely one of those experiences that’s worth it when you’re in Vienna. It gives you a real sense of the city’s royal past and its rich culture.

Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church)

We went to visit Peterskirche, or St. Peter’s Church, right in the center of Vienna. From the outside, it already looks beautiful, but once you step inside… wow! The interior is incredibly detailed, full of paintings, golden columns, and an amazing dome above. Even though it’s smaller than some of the other churches, it’s still really impressive. It was a quick visit, but definitely worth it. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place perfect for taking a break and admiring the art and atmosphere.

Belvedere palace

We also visited Belvedere Palace, which is another amazing place in Vienna. The palace itself is stunning, but what really stood out were the gardens perfectly maintained, full of flowers, fountains, and paths that looked like something out of a movie. It’s a very beautiful spot and perfect for taking great photos.

Lunch

For lunch, we went to the beautiful and glorious Burger King. I had a Big King, as always, and tried the Oreo shake it was really good! Totally recommend it!

Train --- Airport

Finally, we took a train to the airport, which was a bit far, but the ride was smooth and took no more than half an hour.

Airport

After the train trip, we arrived at the airport, but we came very early and had to wait for a few hours. While I was checking in, I noticed a group from Italy struggling to use the Ryanair check-in machines. So, of course, I helped them, and they were very grateful. I felt happy to help them save time and make the process easier.

On the plane

Just 3 more hours and we’ll all be back in Portugal. The trip was pretty smooth, with hardly any turbulence, and at least we’re all arriving safe and sound and of course, the group 404 was reunited which was a surprise!

I absolutely loved this Erasmus experience!

The last most funny Foto of the Day 🥺

Back home

Finally, we’re back home. I already miss the teachers, the students and the volleyball trainings 😭😭

Thank youu 😎

A big thank you to the teachers from Portugal for making all of this possible. Without your dedication and support, none of this would have happened. We’re truly grateful thank you so much!

A huge thank you as well to the teachers from Slovakia, who helped us when we were lost, gave us their time to plan fun activities, and took care of us as if we were their own children. Thank you so, so much we truly appreciate everything!

A big thank you to the volleyball coach! Even without speaking English, she welcomed us into her training sessions, and we learned so much from her. It was an amazing experience thank youuu!

And of course, I can’t forget the students from the school, who made me feel like a celebrity there! That really boosted my confidence, and I loved how the guys got along with me it meant a lot. I honestly wish I could study at that school just to be with them again :(

Feedback from the Slovakia students

If you are a student from the slovakia school you can do the form so i can get feedback from you 😝

https://forms.gle/ZBKE7rMAkALuvNgG9

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