While in Portugal, our study abroad class visited numerous cities, companies, and cultural sites. We tried new foods, drinks, and modes of transportation. We had the opportunity to see some of the beauty that this world has in store. It was a phenomenal trip in almost every way.
We started our trip in Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon (or Lisboa, as the locals call it) is the capital of Portugal. Most governing entities operate from Lisbon, and it is a well-known tourist destination. In Lisbon, we saw the Castelo de Sao Jorge, which is the castle where kings resided during the monarch’s times. We got to see much of the city, but we also took day trips to Sintra, Cascais, and a few other spots that were breathtaking.
A week into the trip, we traveled north to Porto, Portugal. This city had a much slower pace and a more suburban feel, as it was less touristy and a more leisurely atmosphere. I think the majority of us preferred Porto to Lisbon for this reason. In Porto, some of us found a Tex-Mex restaurant called Aguacate–believe me when I say this is the best Tex-Mex in the WORLD. You have to try it if you’re ever there.
There are no words to express how much this trip gave me. I developed new friendships, left the U.S. for the first time, discovered a new desire to see as much of this world as possible, and I learned so many new things. I was fully immersed in a culture that was new to me; I ate the food, learned the history, was exposed to the language… If I have one piece of advice for someone going on a similar trip, it would be to go for longer. Once you are there, experiencing life, you will resent the thought of returning to Texas.