Visiting Porto, Portugal, was an incredible experience and the start of my study abroad. The city was beautiful, with its vibrant buildings and intricate tiles. On the business side, visiting local companies like a logistics firm, cork manufacturer, and handmade shoe-making business provided me insights into multiple industries that shape Portugal’s economy. I was impressed and surprised by each company’s common focus on craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability.
In many ways, Portugal and the US have cultural similarities. The people were open and friendly which made it easy to connect and learn from them. However, I noticed that the people enjoy a slower, more relaxed pace of living. Many Portuguese enjoy longer meals and they take their time with conversations, unlike the fast-paced culture in America. Public transportation was also widely available and walking around the city was common and doable, which differs from the car-centric culture in many parts of the US.
So far, my experience in Porto has been eye-opening and exciting. I am looking forward to exploring more of the city and learning more about the professional and cultural differences here.
