The beginning of the semester after the summer signifies renewal. Tourists who once enjoyed romantic walks and views of the Douro River now return to their homes, and the city begins to be inhabited by students. Besides its traditional wine, Porto is famous for its universities spread everywhere. Within each campus, there are hundreds of local students as well as ERASMUS students.

ERASMUS+ is a student program of many universities in the European Union (and other countries), which promotes students’ mobility throughout their study period. Many countries today encourage the program and benefit from the economic turnover it brings to the region. However, Porto is one of the most sought-after cities by students. And why is that?

Well… First, Portugal is one of the cheapest countries to live in Europe. Therefore, many students who do not yet have financial independence can live here with the help of their parents. The quality of life and the city’s safety also encourage students to come here. In addition to being a city with free attractions, you can also enjoy beaches, city breaks, and, of course, parties. Each neighbourhood seems designed to receive many young people eager to experience life. Finally, the bonus of studying here is that the vast majority of Portuguese universities allow you to choose to take only one final exam to close the semester.

Of course, coming from Brazil, my reality was different. To get here, I had to find a full-time job and save for months to support myself. What for many was a chance to enjoy an exchange, for me, was a unique opportunity. Nevertheless, I wanted to try out as much as I could.

It didn’t take long, and the engineering group soon invited me to a party at Adega Leonor. There was a particular esteem for the FEUP (Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto) students, as any student there would be successful in the future. In my case, the only thing that excited me about this event was that beer would be cheaper, and there were rumours that a DJ would play at the bar.

As soon as I arrived at Cordoaria Square, I realised it would be impossible to get a drink. Already outside, people were struggling to get into bars. However, my university friend, Anna, was determined to get her discounted beer. Determined, she cut through the crowd of students worldwide until she reached the bar’s door.

Adega Leonor is one of the most famous bars in Porto (credit to the students who have passed through here). The decoration is unique, with walls covered by IDs that students have lost and flags of all countries hanging from the ceiling, providing even greater value to the history of that place. The bar is narrow and always busy. Even though it has three floors, it can only accommodate up to fifty people. However, that night, engineering students proved that Newton’s law is just a matter of perspective.

Anna and I had been in line for a few minutes, and nothing was moving. Everything was getting tighter and more stressful. By then, I had almost offered to buy her a beer elsewhere. But in one of those crowds pushing, a two-meter-tall boy bumped into my friend and spilt half of her Sumersby cider, soaking her whole arm. I just wanted to thank the awkward guy, thinking she would immediately give up on being there. Still, I was surprised when she said, “I’m going to the bathroom to clean up. Don’t leave the line, and if you get there, get beer for us. I’ll meet you here,” and without letting me reply, she disappeared into the crowd.

I couldn’t disguise my bad mood anymore. Nothing made sense anymore, and the beer wasn’t even worth it. I only wanted to get the drink, hand it to Anna, and leave immediately. I unlocked my cell phone and tried to distract myself during that chaos. Still, a group of Italians started shouting in front of me, which distracted me even from understanding an image on Instagram. The irritation began to grow, and I couldn’t even imagine what my face looked like. One of the boys joined the group and said, “You are shouting. Can’t you see the girl hates you?” for a second, I realised I understood what the boy said. Even with a strong accent, the stranger spoke English; inevitably, my eyes met his.

With a height of one meter and seventy-three, golden hair, and eyes the colour of the Mediterranean Sea, the Italian turned my irritation immediately into laughter. “And isn’t she gorgeous when she smiles?” he said, looking at me. I gestured my appreciation, and the group hushed, but this time speaking a millisecond quieter. The stranger came up to me and extended his hand.

“I’m Matteo, and you?” I introduced myself by shaking his hand. He replied, “I apologise to my friends. They just arrived from Italy and are still getting used to it.”

“No problem,” I said, “In fact, it’s not their fault. I want to get a beer and get out of here.”

He looked to the side and said, “Wait for me here for two minutes,” and disappeared into the crowd, leaving me in that mess, having to wait again.

I picked up my cell phone again, but in a few seconds, I felt a hand pulling me. It was the Italian making a sign for me to follow him. We went up to the second floor, and Matteo approached a table at the back of the space. He greeted some people at the table and introduced me to everyone by my name, but he did not introduce the others to me. He took a large jug of beer, placed two glasses, and handed me one.

“Can I get another one?” I looked at the glass and then at him. “If I show up with this beer, my friend will kill me.”

Without thinking much, he poured two more glasses and looked at me, saying, “Just to be sure.” He nodded his head, indicating that I should go down the stairs.

When I left the bar, a breath of air brought relief after so many suffocating hours. We headed towards the walls, where Matteo leaned the cups and leaned against the fence to roll up his tobacco. After finishing, he looked at me and asked if I accepted one.

“Are you also an engineering student?” he asked, and I laughed.

“Far from it. Numbers are not my thing.” He looked at me without understanding and asked, “Where are you from?”

“I’m Brazilian,” I replied. He smiled. “You’re the first Brazilian I’ve met.” I looked surprised, not understanding how that was possible.

“Don’t get your hopes up too high,” he chuckled, taking another drag on his cigarette. And then the silence was broken by a familiar voice.

“There you are!” Anna came to me with two more people. “Is this my beer?” She pointed to the cup and grabbed it.

“Yes, it’s yours,” I looked at Matteo, and he agreed, laughing. My friend introduced me to the people she had just met in the bathroom line, and I introduced the Italian. We stayed there for a few more minutes until music started playing in the square, and someone in the circle suggested we go to a club. That was my cue since all my charisma had been spent inside the bar. I began to say goodbye, and then Matteo asked if he could accompany me home since he felt the night was over for him, too. I explained where I live, and he agreed to come to the Baixa with me.

During the crucial slope towards my house, Matteo and I got to know each other better, and I loved how he always had a joke ready for every sarcastic comment I made. He told me he had started surfing classes and felt that teaching in Portugal was much more relaxed than in Italy. On the other hand, I told him that this was my second time living in Europe and that living in a calm city like Porto was great.

Arriving at the door of my house, I said goodbye to Matteo, and he said, “I know how to make Carbonara.” He looked at me but continued when he realised I didn’t respond, “If you want… I can cook for you one day.”

And that was how, totally unexpectedly, I discovered that before love at first sight, there is Italian food.

A.M.