lisbon portugal bell tower
Lisbon, Portugal

Summer in Lisbon

Study Program

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

4 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

3 - 4 per session semester hours

4.5 - 6 per session quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Bring your interest in art, literature, and cinema to the vibrant city of Lisbon this summer! Portugal's coastal capital is the perfect place to spend a summer living and learning abroad. Get a firsthand perspective on Lisbon's deep-rooted history and further your education in courses including gastronomy, culture, and politics. Classes are held at CIEE Lisbon in the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL) School of Social Sciences and Humanities (FCSH).

Unique Experiences

GET TO KNOW PORTUGUESE HISTORY

Immerse yourself in Lisbon’s vibrant culture and local traditions.

STEP OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

and learn on the go at museums, monuments, festivals, and more.

EXPLORE BEYOND LISBON

with excursions to noted towns rooted in medieval and coastal history.

9

COUNTRIES WHERE PORTUGUESE IS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

150

MILES OF BIKE LANES

157 K

STUDENTS

Experience
  • students walk city steps in portugal
  • portugal castle visit study abroad students

Your Destination

Located at the very tip of Europe, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world. With one of the most eclectic collections of museums and picturesque postcard views from the city’s seven hills, it will most certainly captivate your eye! Despite being known for its history and blend of Roman and Moorish architecture, Lisbon has also developed to become a modern and vibrant city, home to innumerous startups, Michelin Star restaurants, and a trendy design and street art scene. 

CIEE Lisbon is conveniently located inside the host university, allowing students to easily reach out to center staff. 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Lisbon.

The Culture

cultural excursion portugal

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES

  • Explore the enchanted Sintra, a romantic town in a mountainous area in the North of Lisbon 
  • Visit Évora, a beautiful historical city of the South of Portugal, in Alentejo, a region known for its cork and wine 
  • Get to know Setúbal, a town south of Lisbon, known for its beautiful coast and wonderful cuisine 
  • Tour around Óbidos, a medieval town north of Lisbon that was named UNESCO City of Literature 
  • Visit the world’s largest salt water oceanarium

Program Blogs

From CIEE

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Europe for College Students

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Forty-four countries. Thousand-year-old histories. Deep global impact. Out-of-this-world food. Iconic landmarks. Beautiful natural landscapes. Rich, diverse cultures. This is your ultimate guide to Europe study abroad. How to Plan a... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

In Session I, students learn and engage with Portugal’s gastronomy and its impact on local culture. In Session II, students reflect about contemporary Portuguese history through its arts, literature and cinema and relating these with political contexts. In both sessions, students can enroll in an optional Communicative Portuguese Language course (1 credit). In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offerings. 

CIEE Lisbon is located at NOVA FCSH (School of Social Sciences and Humanities of Universidade Nova de Lisboa).

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

  • Students enroll in one 3-credit content course per session 
  • Optional: Communicative Portuguese course

Program Credit

Total credit: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits per session

Course Credit

  • CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours per session 
  • CIEE Communicative Language course: 1 U.S. semester/1.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Attendance is mandatory for all classes and required events. Courses meet Monday through Friday, for three hours. The academic calendar includes dates for mandatory trips scheduled out of Lisbon.

Class Format

Courses are open to CIEE students only. Instruction is interactive and dynamic. Many lectures take place in situ, so that students can connect with the subjects they are studying. Class participation is essential, and students may be asked to make individual presentations.

Grading

Students are graded on class participation, papers, quizzes, and a final exam. Unexcused absences are reflected in final grades.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Course Notes
Students studying with CIEE for multiple sessions may only take Communicative Portuguese once.

Summer Session I 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Summer Session II 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $4,850
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $4,850
Program Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,730

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $3,050**

Housing = $1,300***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $4,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $280

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $60

Books & Supplies = $20

Personal expenses = $130††

Total Costs = $1,690

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $300 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $3,050**

Housing = $1,300***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $4,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $280

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $60

Books & Supplies = $20

Personal expenses = $130††

Total Costs = $1,690

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $300 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $5,630**

Housing = $2,600***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $8,730

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $560

International Airfare = $1,200

Local Transportation = $120

Books & Supplies = $40

Personal expenses = $260††

Total Costs = $2,180

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $300 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Joana Almeida

Center Director

Joana has been working with CIEE Lisbon since 2011. She holds a B.A. in Art History, an M.A. in Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Historical Sociology.

Sara Cunha

Operations Manager

Sara has been working for CIEE Lisbon since 2014. She holds a Ph.D. in Management with a specialization in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. She has studied and lived abroad in Spain, Hungary, Sweden and Brazil.

Francisco Henriques

Academic Manager

Francisco holds a PhD in History at University of Lisbon. He previously worked as a teacher and researcher in Economics and Social History. He is passionate about the sea, history and literature.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info