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Studying abroad was more than just a part of my academic journey, it allowed me to immerse myself in the local Portuguese culture and truly become a part of the city of Porto. Here’s a short insight of what I got up to.
My arrival coincided with ‘Carnaval’, a vibrant celebration in both Portugal and Brazil. I joined the Erasmus Student Network for the first time at their carnaval party, which consisted of great fancy dress costumes, music, food, activities. These events were not only about enjoying festivities but also meeting other international students, and I met a group of people here that would become my friends throughout my whole placement. It’s no surprise that Porto was voted Erasmus Student City of the Year!
25 de Abril
A month later marked 50 years of freedom since the Portuguese dictatorship. I joined thousands of locals in the city centre to a stage of performances, live music and fireworks. This celebration was full of emotion, it was the first time I truly saw the sense of pride and unity among the people, and it made my experience in the city so special.
Football frenzy
As a football fan, I couldn’t miss the chance to do a tour and attend a few matches at Estádio do Dragão, the home of Porto FC. Being a club rich in European and Portuguese history, football is more than just a sport in the city, and from children to women, everyone got involved. I was also there for the Euros, where I joined public screenings of the matches. The streets were filled with chanting and an overwhelming display of Portuguese passion for football.
Queima das Fitas
By far the highlight of my semester abroad was a festival organised by students towards the end of the academic year: Queima das Fitas. Taking place on the beach, I joined thousands of students for a week of dancing, music and making incredible memories. I got to see some of my favourite Portuguese artists like Bárbara Bandeira and Ivandro perform live as well as Irish band ‘The Script’. There was music for everyone, but pro tip: listening to Portuguese music not only helps you enjoy the festival more but also helps to significantly improve your Portuguese!
São João
At the end of June, I was able to experience the iconic São João festival of Porto. Armed with plastic hammers (a São João tradition) we’d hit strangers on the head to bring good fortune and joined crowds in the city centre to watch fireworks and take in the electric atmosphere. It was an experience unique to Porto that I’ll never forget.
The most important takeaway from my study abroad was the importance of immersing myself into the local life. I arrived with a limited knowledge of the Portuguese culture and left with a range of new experiences and friends from all over the world. For anyone considering a semester abroad, Porto is a city that’ll make you feel at home and give you memories that’ll last a lifetime.