If you have reached this page, it is likely that you are preparing to join us for an IFMSA exchange, or somehow considering to pay us a visit. Either way, we hope you find all the relevant information about our faculty and our exchange programmes here.

 

For many of you this will be the first exchange programme you've taken part in, and it is natural to have lots of questions. That's why we have put together the comprehensive LISBOA Incoming Student Booklet filled with hints and tips for your exchange (also available for download as a .pdf file here). Additionally, be sure to check out the FAQ's section below.

To read what those who have actually been here have to say about the experience just click on one of the following reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15. For more information, please e-mail us at internacionais@aefml.pt.

 

  

 

 

 

Where will I be staying?
You are free to stay at a University Student Hall for the whole month you are here. Students coming September through July usually stay here. Students coming in August will be staying in any of the many student halls scattered all over Lisbon (check with your Exchange Officer to know which exact one). Note that we do not allow students to come for more than one month (e.g. last week of July and first 3 weeks of August). You are to comply strictly with the calendar month.

 

What if I arrive earlier than the 1st day of the month or want to stay in later than the 31st?
The Student Halls only allow us full month contracts. Before and after August we strongly advise booking a Youth Hostel ('pousada da juventude' in Portuguese). From past experience, we recommend a particular one that is both affordable and close to the city centre. Check it out and book it here.

 

What address should I provide my Faculty or Embassy Services if they require one?
We only know which particular University Student Halls you have been assigned to one week in advance of your arrival. For this reason, you should provide the address of our Student Committee, which is as follows: AEFML [line break] Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Hospital de Santa Maria Piso 01 [line break] 1649-035 Lisboa [line break] Portugal.

  

Do the Student Halls have internet access?
Yes. There is a computer room in each of the Student Halls, and wireless network is available in all of them, meaning you can bring your wi-fi enabled laptop if you wish. Some rooms will enjoy better wireless network coverage than others due to technical reasons (number of walls between room and transmitter), but there is access in every floor. Furthermore, you can also use the computer rooms at the faculty and student committee.

 
Do I need to bring bed linen or towels?
No. The Student Halls provide both bed linen and bath towels, which will be changed once a week by the cleaning service. We do nonetheless recommend bringing a beach towel

 

Will I be sharing a room?
Yes. You will be sharing a room with up to two more people of the same sex. There are no single rooms.

 

Is it possible for a couple to stay in the same room at the Student Halls?
Yes. Due to logistics, opposite-sex couples of exchangees may only stay in the same room in August. Same-sex couples of exchangees may stay in the same room all year long.  Whatever the case, please inform us of your desire to be placed with a significant other in the same room two weeks in advance.

 

Is it possible for people other than the exchangees to stay at the Student Halls?
No. Family and friends are welcome to visit, but not to stay over. There is no possibility of paying for individual lodging.

 

 

 

 

How many meals will I be given?
You will be given a total of 20 Meal Tickets to be spent in the local canteen. Additionally, the Student Halls also feature kitchens in every floor at your disposal - be warned that the kitchenware is somewhat sparse, though.

 

 

 

When do I start?
Unless your Exchange Officer says otherwise, you will start your clerkship on the very first Monday of the month of your exchange. It is of utmost importance to buy your plane tickets bearing this information in mind! Neither we nor the tutors are too happy about late arrivers.

 

What is the mean daily workload?
Although the vast majority of hospital departments only expect you to work from 8:00am to 1:30pm, some tutors may be more demanding and require that you stay until around 4:00pm. On the other hand, students on Research Exchange are more likely to work longer hours on most days.

Exactly how long does one need to work to ensure eligibility for the Certificate?
You are to comply with a minimum of 16 out of 20 workdays of the clerkship in order to be eligible to receive the official IFMSA Certificate. You are free to manage your time, so long as you keep your tutor informed.

 

What is the dresscode like?
Given the usually scorching hot summer weather, the dresscode is quite casual for european standards: jeans, t-shirts and regular tennis shoes will do. Bring a white coat, stethoscope according to department, and sensible footwear (no beach flip flops at the hospital).

 

What hospital will I be assigned to?
All students are assigned to Hospital de Santa Maria, Portugal's largest public health care institution.

 

What hospital departments are available?
Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Immunoallergology, Infecciology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophtalmology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pneumology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rheumatology and Vascular Surgery. Students applying for Psychiatry must speak fluent Portuguese. Emergency Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Sports Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology do not accept exchange students under any circumstances, and thus are not available.

 

 

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Will someone pick me up at the airport / trainstation?
Yes, provided that you inform us of your arrival details two weeks in advance via your electronic Confirmation Card (CC) or e-mail to the following address: internacionais@aefml.pt.

 

How will I recognise the person who is going to pick me up?
We have your pictures and mobile phone numbers in our files, meaning that you won't recognise the contact person, the contact person will recognise you. At the airport lookout for someone holding a paper with either "FMUL" or "AEFML" written on it (these are the acronyms for the Faculty and for the Student Committee).

 

What about Invitation Letters for Visa?
If you need an official invitation letter to get your visa, tell us now. These things do take some time to get signed and be sent to you, so better sooner than later.

 

 

 

 
What is the social programme like?

We only provide an organized social programme in July and August. Nevertheless, September and October are also great months for being in Lisbon, due to all the begining of the year academic events and parties. For a complete overview of a typical August social programme please check the LISBOA Incoming Student Booklet. Check out some of the sights you'll be seeing by clicking on the colored pins in the Greater Lisbon map below, or by watching the promotional video.

 

Many of our activities are either free of charge or we arrange special deals to guarantee that they're considerably cheaper than they would be for the general public. The total cost for the two organized weekends and the assorted visits in Lisboa and the surrounding area is just under €150, which includes admission fares, transportation, lodging and dinner parties.

 

Be prepared to spend a total approximate amount of €600: €150 for the social programme, €250 for additional meals and groceries, €50 for transportation within the city, €150 for night taxis, beach trips, trips on your own and souvenirs.

 

Our average number of students is as follows: 2 SCOPE students and 8 SCORE students in July; 36 SCOPE students and 1 SCORE student in August; 1 SCORE or SCOPE student at a time from September til March.

 

 

 

  

 

 

If you have reached this page, it is likely that you are preparing to join us for an IFMSA exchange, or somehow considering to pay us a visit. Either way, we hope you find all the relevant information about our faculty and our exchange programmes here.

 

For many of you this will be the first exchange programme you've taken part in, and it is natural to have lots of questions. That's why we have put together the comprehensive LISBOA Incoming Student Booklet filled with hints and tips for your exchange (also available for download as a .pdf file here). Additionally, be sure to check out the FAQ's section below.

To read what those who have actually been here have to say about the experience just click on one of the following reviews: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15. For more information, please e-mail us at internacionais@aefml.pt.

 

  

 

 

 

Where will I be staying?
You are free to stay at a University Student Hall for the whole month you are here. Students coming September through July usually stay here. Students coming in August will be staying in any of the many student halls scattered all over Lisbon (check with your Exchange Officer to know which exact one). Note that we do not allow students to come for more than one month (e.g. last week of July and first 3 weeks of August). You are to comply strictly with the calendar month.

 

What if I arrive earlier than the 1st day of the month or want to stay in later than the 31st?
The Student Halls only allow us full month contracts. Before and after August we strongly advise booking a Youth Hostel ('pousada da juventude' in Portuguese). From past experience, we recommend a particular one that is both affordable and close to the city centre. Check it out and book it here.

 

What address should I provide my Faculty or Embassy Services if they require one?
We only know which particular University Student Halls you have been assigned to one week in advance of your arrival. For this reason, you should provide the address of our Student Committee, which is as follows: AEFML [line break] Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, Hospital de Santa Maria Piso 01 [line break] 1649-035 Lisboa [line break] Portugal.

  

Do the Student Halls have internet access?
Yes. There is a computer room in each of the Student Halls, and wireless network is available in all of them, meaning you can bring your wi-fi enabled laptop if you wish. Some rooms will enjoy better wireless network coverage than others due to technical reasons (number of walls between room and transmitter), but there is access in every floor. Furthermore, you can also use the computer rooms at the faculty and student committee.

 
Do I need to bring bed linen or towels?
No. The Student Halls provide both bed linen and bath towels, which will be changed once a week by the cleaning service. We do nonetheless recommend bringing a beach towel

 

Will I be sharing a room?
Yes. You will be sharing a room with up to two more people of the same sex. There are no single rooms.

 

Is it possible for a couple to stay in the same room at the Student Halls?
Yes. Due to logistics, opposite-sex couples of exchangees may only stay in the same room in August. Same-sex couples of exchangees may stay in the same room all year long.  Whatever the case, please inform us of your desire to be placed with a significant other in the same room two weeks in advance.

 

Is it possible for people other than the exchangees to stay at the Student Halls?
No. Family and friends are welcome to visit, but not to stay over. There is no possibility of paying for individual lodging.

 

 

 

 

How many meals will I be given?
You will be given a total of 20 Meal Tickets to be spent in the local canteen. Additionally, the Student Halls also feature kitchens in every floor at your disposal - be warned that the kitchenware is somewhat sparse, though.

 

 

 

When do I start?
Unless your Exchange Officer says otherwise, you will start your clerkship on the very first Monday of the month of your exchange. It is of utmost importance to buy your plane tickets bearing this information in mind! Neither we nor the tutors are too happy about late arrivers.

 

What is the mean daily workload?
Although the vast majority of hospital departments only expect you to work from 8:00am to 1:30pm, some tutors may be more demanding and require that you stay until around 4:00pm. On the other hand, students on Research Exchange are more likely to work longer hours on most days.

Exactly how long does one need to work to ensure eligibility for the Certificate?
You are to comply with a minimum of 16 out of 20 workdays of the clerkship in order to be eligible to receive the official IFMSA Certificate. You are free to manage your time, so long as you keep your tutor informed.

 

What is the dresscode like?
Given the usually scorching hot summer weather, the dresscode is quite casual for european standards: jeans, t-shirts and regular tennis shoes will do. Bring a white coat, stethoscope according to department, and sensible footwear (no beach flip flops at the hospital).

 

What hospital will I be assigned to?
All students are assigned to Hospital de Santa Maria, Portugal's largest public health care institution.

 

What hospital departments are available?
Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Immunoallergology, Infecciology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Ophtalmology, Orthopaedics, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pneumology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Rheumatology and Vascular Surgery. Students applying for Psychiatry must speak fluent Portuguese. Emergency Medicine, Tropical Medicine, Sports Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology do not accept exchange students under any circumstances, and thus are not available.

 

 

---

 

Will someone pick me up at the airport / trainstation?
Yes, provided that you inform us of your arrival details two weeks in advance via your electronic Confirmation Card (CC) or e-mail to the following address: internacionais@aefml.pt.

 

How will I recognise the person who is going to pick me up?
We have your pictures and mobile phone numbers in our files, meaning that you won't recognise the contact person, the contact person will recognise you. At the airport lookout for someone holding a paper with either "FMUL" or "AEFML" written on it (these are the acronyms for the Faculty and for the Student Committee).

 

What about Invitation Letters for Visa?
If you need an official invitation letter to get your visa, tell us now. These things do take some time to get signed and be sent to you, so better sooner than later.

 

 

 

 
What is the social programme like?

We only provide an organized social programme in July and August. Nevertheless, September and October are also great months for being in Lisbon, due to all the begining of the year academic events and parties. For a complete overview of a typical August social programme please check the LISBOA Incoming Student Booklet. Check out some of the sights you'll be seeing by clicking on the colored pins in the Greater Lisbon map below, or by watching the promotional video.

 

Many of our activities are either free of charge or we arrange special deals to guarantee that they're considerably cheaper than they would be for the general public. The total cost for the two organized weekends and the assorted visits in Lisboa and the surrounding area is just under €150, which includes admission fares, transportation, lodging and dinner parties.

 

Be prepared to spend a total approximate amount of €600: €150 for the social programme, €250 for additional meals and groceries, €50 for transportation within the city, €150 for night taxis, beach trips, trips on your own and souvenirs.

 

Our average number of students is as follows: 2 SCOPE students and 8 SCORE students in July; 36 SCOPE students and 1 SCORE student in August; 1 SCORE or SCOPE student at a time from September til March.