Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Chiera a Lisboa: Beautiful but... June 07, 2026

By (Environmental Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/28/2026 to 05/11/2026 with

SIT Study Abroad: Portugal - Sustainability and Environmental Justice

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
While I felt enriched by the excursions presented by this program, it was academically a mess and we had little support when we needed it most, and too much when we didn't need it at all

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I loved Portugal and the staff, but overall had a very unpleasant time

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Around $300/week

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $300/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? To study abroad, estimate to have 1.5k per month and then some

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff
  • The country
* What could be improved?
  • The housing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The housing arrangement is single dorms with shared kitchens and common rooms but are heavily monitored with strict rules

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.