Coming to Portugal for this study abroad, I was pleasantly shocked and blown away by the country?s culture, business practices, and ways of life. I was super excited to gain a European perspective and learn more about the various leadership styles and practices of the people who reside in Portugal. From the first week alone, it?s truly been such a rewarding and once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will forever cherish and remember in college and onward.
Upon arriving, some notable differences I observed include the affordability of various items, the cuisine and style of each meal, and the walkability of the country. Since arriving in Portugal, food, water, groceries, and day-to-day items have all been very affordable, and significantly less expensive than in America. In addition, the style and cuisine of Portuguese food differ from America in that Portugal puts an emphasis on multiple courses and a relaxed approach. Oftentimes in America, I feel that meals are more of a rush and done in a quick manner. However, in Portugal, our group meals are usually 1-1.5 hours and include appetizers, soup, salad, an entree course, dessert, and espresso. Lastly, Lisbon is a huge city, but very walkable and easily accessible to restaurants, shops, and other places in a matter of 10-15 minutes. In the United States, there are many cities with small clusters of walkability, but in Portugal, the entire country itself is very walkable and easy to explore and wander safely.
In just one week, I?ve been able to learn about various concepts from an international perspective, while also making memories to last a lifetime. We?ve seen a bakery, an olive oil farm, a cork factory, and various components of the city. I?ve also been able to explore the city alongside the other students on this trip, and have had the chance to gain real-world experience and a plethora of memories in such a short amount of time.
