Initially, I was nothing short of anxious about this trip. I had participated in a previous study abroad venture, and it was fun but stressful. However, this trip?s pre-departure schedule seemed to be quite organized, complete with a full itinerary of culture, education, and business. Before departure, I feel that I had a one-dimensional view of Portugal and Portuguese culture. I knew of Lisbon as a large and popular city, but my main association with Portugal, in general, was, simply put, soccer. From the first day we landed in Lisbon, I was increasingly more surprised, more informed, and more excited to continue learning about Portuguese culture. Through my time here, I hope to gain a broader appreciation for the different lifestyles of diverse people. Another goal I hope to achieve is acceptance and increased interest in the standards and customs of other countries. There are many ways in which Portugal is different from the United States of America, both physically/geographically and culturally. While Portuguese businesses are very environmentally conscious and responsible, American countries often value profit over the future of the planet. Environmental awareness and advocacy are quite evident in how the Portuguese construct and develop their businesses. Many of the companies we visited were implementing systems to decrease or eliminate waste. For example, one of these corporations used natural biology to increase the fertility of the soil and even spent their own resources on building up the ecosystem on their property. In a similar way, the Portuguese also live more simply. Many people live in the same house for generations and spend time restoring the facades of buildings. In America, many buildings are thrown together with the intent of merely making money off of the tenant. In Portugal, the buildings are a part of their history, and the people work to maintain that aspect of their culture.
