My initial impressions were not very high, mainly because what can you really expect as you’re reading descriptions and articles? I was nervous and scared in the airport and loading the plane, but I’m an anxious and unstable 20 something can you blame me?? It was doing our first walking tour that I began to understand the gravity of my situation; being halfway across the world from my home and surrounded by strangers, but it still felt comforting. As the trip progressed and I become more familiar with my classmates and tour guide, I was able to see more of what was going on. I love to people-watch (and if you think that’s weird, you’re weird), and seeing the interactions between Portuguese locals was eye-opening. But the difference I loved the most was all the efforts being made toward sustainable business, it seemed like every company we visited had this goal at the forefront of how they conduct themselves. There is a mutual understanding of how the planet and her resources are meant to be shared and appreciated, not just used to generate revenue. There are long-term sustainable investments being made that will provide revenue in 10,15,20 years and everyone is just cool with that; one of the people we visited said you would be laughed at in the US for suggesting something like that. Living in a country that is only abt 350 miles from top to bottom shapes the way these people think about resources, things are not infinite. These people are humble, honest, and empathetic, and even though at times this might seemed strained the same can be said for all. The world definitely has a few things to learn from this tiny country by the sea.
