Nuno Costa Monteiro (25) is a sixth year medical student from Lisbon, Portugal.

How is university life in Lisbon?

We have many academic, traditional festivities. The most notable is the Queima das Fitas – a graduation celebration, symbolized by the burning of ribbons with the colours of each faculty. Though such rituals are seen as outdated by some people, it remains an important reference in the academic experience of any student. One of the most visible and distinctive traditions is the use of the academic costume, which is a black suit and cape used on special occasions.

Do you live with your parents or on your own?
I still live with my parents – no expenses, good home meals, clean clothes: big comfort! But if students come from another city, they usually share small apartments with colleagues.
 

How many hours a week do you study? 

In the final year, we divide our time between hospital work and studying at home. We really need to be well organized, because the final exam in October determines our speciality. I try to study three hours on week days and six in the weekend.

Is it financially possible for everyone to study medicine in Portugal?
The biggest difficulty is to get in medical school. Competition is high and the places are few. We don’t receive any financial support from our government,
except if we apply for scholarships. It’s quite a complicated process, but there are some grants for those in need.   

What is good about Portuguese medical education?
We start dealing with patients at an early stage. Furthermore, we have the possibility to do clinical work in almost all hospitals of Lisbon. This allows us to learn different approaches in similar situations. Now, in the last year, I have (almost) full responsibility for patients, learning and working at the same time – for me, it’s the best!

You experienced Dutch university life through an exchange programme two years ago. What do you think is the biggest difference between studying in Amsterdam and Lisbon?
Educationally, I think we are not far away from each other. In Portugal, we don’t have the models to practice techniques, like intubation or injections, before doing it on real patients. I really thought that is a great way to learn.

Describe your life in 2020…
I’ll answer that in 2010 – the year I will know my speciality. Until then, I can just describe what I will do tomorrow…

Photo by Pear Biter, shared under Creative Common License