Teaser: São Paulo Guide!
This ain’t your average travel blog. These are real student hacks from the wild ride that is São Paulo exchange life.
Wanna live in a rooftop residence packed with internationals? Pre-drink on a Tuesday and still ace your Wednesday class? Road trip to a beach that looks like it’s from a desktop wallpaper?
🎯 We gathered the raw stories, genius shortcuts, and must-know tips straight from students who lived it all.
Here’s a sneak peek:
🏠 Where to Live (Preview)
Your address = your exchange destiny. Here’s what students actually picked:
Uliving = social + sleek. Gym, cowork, rooftop — in the safest, most central areas like Pinheiros and Jardins.
Share SL = chaos, pool parties, instant crew. Slightly messier, way more fun.
Prefer peace? Some found cheap republicas or Airbnbs — but don’t say we didn’t warn you…
💬 “Living in Share SL felt like exchange mode activated — friends, rooftop BBQs, and nonstop plans.” – Alexine
📚 Uni Life (Preview)
ESPM = legendary student orgs, chill profs, and 4-day weekends (if you plan right).
USP = giant campus, social English classes, student bus from your door.
INSPER = clean, modern, focused — but the real fun’s off-campus.
💡 Hack: Stack your classes Mon–Wed, and live the dream Thursday to Sunday.
🍸 Going Out (Preview)
Tuesdays feel like Saturdays. Every uni throws open-bar parties. And yes, someone will end up with a club tattoo.
Start at Manakah or Bela Jao for dirt-cheap drinks.
Then hit Meow, Tokyo, or Amata for club chaos.
And always check Blackboard or Instagram for secret student events.
💬 “I said yes to a random ESPM party. Left with 10 new best friends and a glitter mustache.” – Jules
✈️ Travel (Preview)
Your weekend radius = insane.
Rio in 6h by bus.
Jungle hikes in Ilhabela.
Salvador, Amazonia, or even Iguaçu Falls if you’re feeling spicy.
💬 “Every Thursday felt like the start of a holiday. Brazil is wild — don’t waste a single weekend.” – Emma
Student Reviews
Insper
🇧🇷 Exchange in São Paulo
🏠 Housing
I was at Share Butantã, honestly such a good pick for the price (550€). It's full of students, so I met a ton of people right away. There’s a rooftop with a pool, BBQs, a gym, and massive parties all the time. Only downside: you have to buy everything (yes, even a fork lol) 'cause the rooms come empty.
🚗 Getting to Campus
There's a metro right next to the resi that goes straight to ESPM, but if you're at Insper like me, you'll be Ubering (about 30minnormal for SP).
✈️ Travel Life
Did Rio by bus (6h), Lençóis Maranhenses, Pantanal (super underrated), Buenos Aires, and Bolivia. You can do so much if you plan right.
🎉 Social Life
It’s a party every day if you want it. The residence vibe is unbeatable. Friperies and cheap stores around too if you’re into vintage fits.
📚 Classes
Heads up: some courses are crazy hard. Go for Business Ethics, Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategy, or Global Value Chain those are way chiller. I stacked mine Mon/Tues and had the rest of the week off 😎
🦙 Other
If you’re squeamish, skip Airbnb — a lot have cockroach issues. Residences like Share? Way safer bet.
🇧🇷 Exchange in São Paulo
🏠 Housing
I stayed at Uliving Pinheiros. Honestly, the spot was amazing, close to everything cool like bars and supermarkets, but yeah... a bit far from my uni. São Paulo is just massive. My resi was student-only, chill vibes, about €550/month. Everything was super easy to book online.
🚗 Getting to Campus
Tbh, it was a bit annoying. The city’s so huge it took time to get to class. I walked a lot to parties, but for uni, had to use Uber sometimes (wouldn’t recommend at night though, stay safe). But stil, choose a place based on where you'll live, not study (if you study …:)
✈️ Travel Life
I hit up Rio, the Nordeste, the desert of Lencois, Iguazu… All by bus, super long rides but SO cheap. No excuses not to travel.
🎉 Social Life
São Paulo is popping EVERY night. You can literally go out somewhere different every evening. As a guy, I was chilling walking to parties, but girls should Uber or move in groups. Trust.
📚 Classes
I worked it out to cram everything on 3 days. More time for living it up. 🙌
🦙 Other
City’s huge. Plan ahead and be street smart.