It was like a dream! January 30, 2024
By Karen O (Education, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2023 to 12/22/2023 with
Study in Portugal Network: Semester/Academic Year Options
Acquired more language skills, and intercultural competency and traveled a lot more than I could've imagined.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I didn't really enjoy the education system there. The grading scale was way too complex and so were the grading methods of the professors. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was great! Very efficient, quick, organized and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a student residence. Very clean, the staff was friendly, I had my own studio, also had cleaning scheduled every week. |
| * Food: |
I had to cook for myself! But the food in Portugal wasn't that diverse. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The area I was located in felt very local. Also, the subway system was great! Traveled and got to know a great amount of the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experiences, however, my friend did and it seemed very accessible. Also, program staff was very grateful. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe! Portugal is always presented to be very safe and it was. No incidents at all. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
I think it was very easy. I didn't find Portugal to be as expensive as other cities. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | To try and come up with a budget before departing. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Intensive Intermediate Portuguese |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take a class before you go! Even if its just a beginners class |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How completely the Portuguese education system is. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
