Lisbon is a culturally rich city with vibrant art and music scene, a historic opera house, museums, concert venues, galleries, a dynamic cinemathèque, and more. Enjoy frequent visits to sites of historic and cultural importance, including the medieval walled towns of Óbidos and Sintra.
Besides site visits and lectures in and around Lisbon, SiPN organizes at least 2 trips/semester (or 1 per summer session) outside of Lisbon, so that students gain an understanding of the country’s diversity. Previous trips have included overnight stays in Evora, a UNESCO world heritage site and lovely white-walled fortified city in the heart of the Alentejo region. There, students tour a working vineyard, learn about enotourism (wine tourism) in Portugal, and see how cork and olives are harvested, learning about the transformations in Portugal’s rural world that have come along with European integration.
On a trip to Coimbra and Porto, you might take a tour of Porto’s Casa da Musica, and tour the city with US expatriate and award-winning author Richard Zimler. While in Coimbra you will have a guided tour of one of the oldest universities in the world and its famous Joanina Library.
Check out the video “Study in Lisbon – Live, Love, Learn”
SiPN regularly organizes film & music series throughout the city in very unique venues (local associations, clubs, museums etc.) to engage students with various themes while also showcasing the most interesting places in town, the majority of which are off the typical tourist path.
Portugal has so much to see…but many students nevertheless want to take advantage of Lisbon’s location to visit other countries in Europe or Africa. For example, over a long weekend, Carnival or Easter breaks, the January winter break for those staying for the entire academic year, students can hop on a low-cost airline and visit some amazing locations in just a matter of hours.
Take a look at the following popular european low-cost airlines and explore:
EasyJet
RyanAir
Aer Lingus
Vueling
Some students may prefer going “old school style” via the European InterRail. You can explore options Here, from one of Lisbon’s main train stations.
Students are obliged to inform SiPN every time they leave the country during their SiPN term (mandatory).
Volunteer during your time in Portugal and engage in a meaningful service experience. Give back to the community while making Portuguese connections and it could just be one of the best decisions you make while studying abroad!
Volunteer Spontaneously Throughout the Semester with one of SiPN’s partners, such as the Lisbon Municipality Volunteer program.
Perks of the volunteer service:
- It’s a great way to make personal connections in Lisbon, as you work alongside other Portuguese and international students;
- You might earn access to special discounts, such as vouchers and free entrance to events and concerts.
How Do I Participate?
Just let us know before you depart, or during the first two weeks after you have arrived in Lisbon and the SiPN On-site Coordinator will put you in contact with our partners
SiPN partners regularly with local creative organizations to support students in creative projects that are developed during their stay in Lisbon. SiPN actively promotes the idea that students should leave a positive mark on the city in which they are living, interacting with sites and people while developing their critical artistic and reflective faculties.
Check out SiPN’s Spring 16 “Leave a Mark in the City” album with photos taken with Lomo cameras.
SiPN Speak Up initiative provides students with extra opportunities to practice and to master their Portuguese language skills (non-credit bearing). From complete begginer level to advanced-level students, all are welcome!
Through its contacts, SiPN works with language schools and faculty (usually from our partner universities) to create informal sessions, held outside the university setting, to provide students with the opportunity to clarify their doubts, practice their verbal and listening skills.
These meetings also have a strong cultural angle to it as they are usually held in public areas that are emblematic for Lisboneers and they have a theme to center the conversation and to pass along a real Portuguese message. Expect some tasks to involve a direct conversation with Portuguese locals (including “SiPN buddies”).
Students interested in having access to these kinds of programming should establish contact with SiPN once in Lisbon so we can generate a cohort. Joining SiPN’s speak-up program takes a semester-long commitment with weekly meetings happening all throughout the semester.
Students in the 21st century are expected to graduate with a variety of skills that go beyond disciplinary knowledge. Adaptability, cultural empathy, tolerance for ambiguity, strong intercultural communication skills, a collaborative work ethic, and intellectual curiosity are all valued in the complex landscape of international relations and global business
We, at SiPN, make sure all of our students experience a multicultural environment, not only you will be taking classes with other international and Portuguese students but you will also be sharing housing.
If you are the kind of student who wants to make a difference in the local community, SiPN can also connect you with organizations throughout Lisbon that are looking for volunteers.
