Lisboa Life Past Review
By A student (Media Studies, Loras College) - abroad from 01/26/2013 to 06/29/2013 with
University Institute of Lisbon / ISCTE-IUL: Lisbon - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
This experience was so worth while! I learned so much about the Portuguese language, culture, history, and lifestyle. I gained friends all over the world who I still keep in contact with every day, every week, or every month! I learned about my own culture, language, history, and lifestyle from a 3rd person point of view! I was able to learn and incorporate new ways of life and style in to my life back in the States! I learned how to surf, travel through Europe, move to a new contry on my own, and live life to its very potential every single second of every single day!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Personally I was taking many courses on topics I had never studied before, so the course difficulty was higher by default. The classes were interesting. The class work was the perfect amount. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The ISCTE administration was helpful some days and not on others. The international program is very much set apart from the Portuguese students. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The ISCTE Residencia has positives and negatives. I felt safe in the residencia. Rules regarding visitors are strict and were inconvenient some times. The kitchen was typically a mess. The staff was awesome, although most of them speak little or no English. The housekeepers clean the room once a week. The residencia is 45 minutes away from school, and not very central to the city. I had bed bugs and I had itchy skin/ allergic reactions most of my trip. |
| * Food: |
The food in Lisbon is amazing. Sopping for groceries is cheap. I rarely spent more than 20 euros a week on groceries. Eating out was reasonable as well. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made a goal to make friends with other Portuguese people and Non-American students. This really helped me integrate well socially and culturally. I began to integrate many pieces of the local culture into my daily life. Many of those pieces are still in my daily life. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to the emergency room for strep throat. The doctor spoke little English. Another patient helped translate because none of my Portuguese friends were available at the time I went to the doctor. The care was good. It costs 95 euros to go to a private hospital and 110 euros to go to a public hospital. This cost is only to see the doctor. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Lisbon. I would not advise walking the streets alone at night. Do not wear revealing clothing... You will get attention on the street. Use your common sense and follow your instincts. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
It is very cheap to live in Lisbon. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Metro and Bus Pass 35e a month, Groceries were 20-30e a week, Phone was 5e a month, Other expenses were 0-30e a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In order to get your VISA approved, you are supposed to have 45 euros saved per day you are there. For 155 days it was about $10,000. I did not even spend half of that money, even with travel expenses to 8 other countries and 3 distance trips within Portugal. |
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 |
The culture encourages you to use the language every day, but if you speak English, somone will be able to understand you. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 years of Spanish and no Portuguese |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I used the language all the time to read and listen. I would speak when needed or to greet friends. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The history, at least a little of the languge, and the news and current events of Portugal and the world. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
