I have always known that I wanted to study abroad and I believe college is the best time to do it. As I prepare for my upcoming faculty-led program in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal, I’m feeling all the emotions – nervousness, excitement, anticipation – but above all, I’m feeling very grateful. I have so much to look forward to from surfing lessons to cooking class to exploring new cuisines. I can’t wait to discover new favorite dishes and the scenery of a country I’ve only ever seen in TikToks and pictures. I’ve already started preparing by organizing my outfits (the Insta feed better eat), using my trip as an excuse to buy more things, and reviewing our itinerary. The one thing I am a little nervous about, no matter how much planning and preparation I do, is the 12hr+ flight time and having less than a one hour layover to catch my connecting flight. Regardless, I know I will find my way to Lisbon one way or another.
I chose this particular program as I felt it would allow me to experience both city life and coastal activities while still learning alongside other students in my major. I don’t have any set goals for what I want to do or learn, I just hope to take away the best memories from this study abroad experience— the kind of memories you look back on and wish you could relive every moment. Additionally, with an interest in international business, I look forward to experiencing and learning about how companies operate abroad. Beyond the sightseeing and activities, I hope this experience pushes me outside my comfort zone. I know there may be moments of homesickness, but I also think those moments will help me grow personally and give me a new perspective of the world.