January in Lisbon!

     Inviting, busy, historic, quiet, diverse. When asked about our initial impression of Lisbon, these were some words written on the board. As I sat there, I couldn’t help but ponder the wide variety of adjectives. How they each had their individualized interpretive meaning from my peers and how even just our first few days had given us all unique and different experiences. It was at this moment that I began to realize how impactful a study abroad experience would be and how my mind and perspective could be changed if I allowed myself to fully immerse myself in the new environment and culture. Safe to say, three weeks later, as I await my flight back home to Louisiana, I can confidently say I possess an overflowing amount of new information and stories to bring back to my friends and family. 
     As my trip to Lisbon was my first study abroad experience, I was anxious about what sort of things I would encounter. Would I be able to pick up enough Portuguese to communicate with the locals? Will the coursework be too rigorous for me to handle? Will I get bored of the city and become homesick? Within the first few days of the program, my nerves were set aside and I was able to fully relax and take in everything Lisbon had to offer. The trip started smoothly, after the initial jet lag of course. My peers and I went through an informative orientation, rang in the New Year with new friends, and spent our days walking (always at a steady incline) all around Lisbon. Selfishly, the thing I was most looking forward to about being in Lisbon was getting to turn 20, as I celebrated my birthday just a week after we landed in Lisbon. Starting the New Year was a new and exciting way to set goals and intentions for 2025, but also getting to reflect on the past 20 years of my life and imagine what the rest could look like, in as beautiful of a place as Portugal, oh was I the luckiest girl in the world. We had a class on my birthday, which if anywhere else, could have been a pretty sad place to spend a birthday. But, not in Lisbon! We spent the morning wrapping up our discussion of Portuguese history, a brief overview of the Empire, and what the decades following the Revolution have looked like and meant to the Portuguese people. Now, I’d like to think this was CIEE’s birthday present to my International Affairs major self, but a trip to Portugal’s National Parliament building was the coolest way to spend the afternoon of my 20th birthday. As we were guided through the halls of Parliament, we were told about Portugal’s past, and the various government types they have had until now. I’ll spare the nerdy details, but I think it is only fair to mention the complexity of Portugal’s history and how interesting it was to me how the majority of it is left out of any history curriculum I had growing up. For that reason, I was appreciative of how insightful the new knowledge was, and know I will find it extremely useful when I return to my International Affairs courses back at Wofford. 
      Both the in and outside classroom experiences of the program truly helped open my eyes to everything Portuguese politics and culture. I was challenged to discuss current debates I Portugal, like how to deal with their colonial past, and informed about various ways Portuguese individuals celebrate their culture daily. Because of the intensity of a three-work course, there was a lot of information to pack in, but my instructors Ana and Francisco did it seamlessly. We got to try delicious Portuguese desserts, tour Lisbon’s historical monuments, and eat (and dance) at a local Portuguese restaurant. Learning through trying was certainly the strategy of this course, and I don’t think I could’ve learned as much as I did without the immersive experience. Our trips to Sintra and Evora exposed me to the larger metropolitan area and visiting the Aquarium and National Tile Museum were fun ways to learn about things you don't see everyday. Packed in my suitcase are many postcards, lots of souvenirs, a sleeve of Pasteis de Natas, and countless memories. If I could give any advice to someone wondering if studying abroad is right for them, I would without a doubt say it is. No matter how intimidating the first few days might seem, the beauty of being abroad is how the experience meets you where you are. The excitement of the place and the support of those around you not only get you through but also elevate the experience completely. Do all the activities, try all new food (I can cross octopus off my list now!), and learn as much as you can. I would not trade my experience in Lisbon for anything and I can’t wait to come back one day!