I decided to study abroad in hopes of learning about new cultures and expanding my knowledge about international business. After my first week in Portugal, I was stunned to see the differences between the United States and Portugal. The city of Lisbon had so much history etched into the daily lives of the citizens. Ranging from the surrounding castles to the actual pavement of the road, the culture and history of Portugal immediately surround you. Food is prepared in different ways and customs vary from what I was used to in the United States. For example, after a meal in Portugal, the servers will not bring the check to you. You have to go up and ask the servers to pay for the meal. Additionally, tax is included in everything you buy. This means the price listed is the exact price that you will pay.
In the beginning, I was nervous about many things including language barriers, being abroad by myself, living conditions, food, etc. It became clear to me early on that the Mays study abroad program takes very good care of its students. Living situations are very nice but small, food accommodations are made if needed, almost everyone speaks English, and the professor was super nice and fostered an amazing learning environment. I would definitely recommend studying abroad to anyone who is on the fence about applying.
