Aquatic Ecosystems & Sustainability
Why Choose This Program?
Explore
Have fun discovering the City of Seven Hills, its stunning coast, and its marine life.
Network
Meet new friends and marine biologists. Build your own community.
Get Inspired
Survey plant and animal life and inventory environmental threats to marine ecosystems. Discover how to make a difference back home.
The Destination
Welcome to Portugal, one of the oldest countries in Europe and a paradise for sea lovers.
With half of its territory bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a prime location to study aquatic ecosystems. It is home to the largest fully protected marine reserve in Europe and is packed with wildlife-filled wetlands, sandy beaches, and dramatic riverways.
Portugal is also full of rich history. When you are not enjoying its natural landscapes and biodiversity, you can lose yourself in incredible architecture, medieval castles, and numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is more ancient than Rome. Here, you’ll love riding the old cable cars up the steep hills, admiring the buildings covered in tiles of countless colors and patterns, and basking in the spectacular views of the vibrant city.
Magical Portugal—with its sunny cities, sea breezes, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and delicious food—awaits you!
Cultural Awareness
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.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
Tide Pool Investigation at Avencas Beach
Crouched on the sun-warmed rocks at Avencas Beach, you peer into a shallow tide pool and breathe in the salty ocean air. Searching, eyes keen, you spot life hidden among the rocks. With a quadrat in hand, you and your teammates carefully observe each inch, thrilled when you spot sea snails clinging to rocks or the vibrant flash of a purple sea urchin.
In small groups, you engage in real scientific investigation. By the end, you’ll debrief your findings, identifying organisms in the supralittoral, mediolittoral, and infralittoral zones and assessing their abundance as a true marine researcher would. This hands-on work builds a sense of shared purpose with your friends and a growing responsibility to protect the environment. As you move between tide pools, each new discovery—from starfish to, if you’re lucky, a curious octopus—deepens your appreciation for these delicate habitats.
Afterward, you unwind on the beach with friends, enjoying a swim and sharing your favorite finds. You leave with new skills in observation and a renewed curiosity about the ecosystems just beneath the surface.
River Kayaking and Fieldwork
You dip your paddle into the cool waters of the Tagus River, feeling the gentle resistance as you and your kayaking partner glide forward. The sun warms your back, and the scent of the river mixes with a light breeze as you take in the towering Almourol Castle and lush banks stretching toward Vila da Barquinha. This isn’t just a scenic paddle; it’s a chance to connect with the river’s ecosystem from up close.
With each stroke, you spot native plants, birds, and fish—real-life examples of concepts you’ve discussed in class. You record your observations, contributing to an environmental survey that supports ongoing conservation efforts. Alongside your friends and led by a local expert, you discuss how climate change and human development impact these waterways, reflecting on ways to protect such ecosystems.
As you reach the shore, you share smiles and stories, feeling energized and inspired. Today was a hands-on step toward understanding and protecting our planet’s aquatic ecosystems—an experience that will shape your future studies or career in environmental science.
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Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
- For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
- This program involves engaging in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities, such as hiking, boating and snorkeling. Ability to swim is not required but strongly encouraged to enjoy the program and location at its fullest.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $5,950 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $5,950 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
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.
Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.
Get Started
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2
Connect with your Teachers or Parents
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about enrolling.
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