This semester, SiPN proudly welcomed what became a diverse mosaic of individual azulejos– stories–of 69 students from 14 universities across the United States.
Spending a full semester in a new environment asks that students navigate various stages of adaptation. The SiPN team plays a vital role in supporting this journey, helping students become familiar with the city, their new homes, academic settings, and cultural norms that differ from their home institutions. However, once settled, students are encouraged to further explore their surroundings, take advantage of new opportunities, and immerse themselves in Portuguese culture on their own.
SiPN students exploring Castelo de Vide during a cultural field trip in the Spring 2025 semester.
Throughout the semester, Spring students participated in a wide range of activities, including SiPN-promoted field trips to historic cities such as Braga, Guimarães, Coimbra, Beja, Évora, Portalegre, Marvão, and Castelo de Vide. In addition, the program offered a variety of engagement opportunities through Intercultural Competence Groups –collaborative sessions intended to develop student’s cross-cultural understanding– other regular check-ins, and social events.
Ismail Karim’s testimony about his ambition to learn the Portuguese language and culture.
Even if the large majority of SiPN semester long students do not speak any portuguese, the representation of students who already possess some degree of language and culture mastery is relevant. Ismail Karim (Emory University) came to Portugal eager to deepen his understanding of the local culture. After three years of studying and speaking Portuguese, a semester with SiPN offered him the perfect opportunity to quench his thirst for cultural immersion. He is majoring in International Studies and Human Health, with a concentration in Epidemiology, making this experience a valuable complement to both his academic and personal goals.
His decision to come to Portugal with SiPN was inspired by recommendations from former students and Dr. Ana Catarina Teixeira, the director of the Portuguese Program at Emory University, fueled his enthusiasm and adaptability.
“I had the pleasure of being Ismael Karim’s first Portuguese professor at Emory, and from the very beginning, his passion for language and culture stood out. He is a truly remarkable student—curious, thoughtful, and deeply engaged. I’m so thankful he was able to take full advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Portugal through the SiPN program, which so beautifully aligned with his academic and personal interests. The program designed and supported by SiPN is invaluable in fostering global citizenship and personal growth, and I’m proud to support students in these transformative experiences.”
Dr. Ana Catarina Teixeira.
Ismail Karim is studying at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, where he took classes during his Spring 2025 semester with SiPN.
After 4 months of embracing living in Lisbon as a “local,” advice Ismael offers to future SiPN students is:
“Don’t hold back at all. Embrace the spontaneous nature of things. I know it definitely may feel daunting at first, coming into a different culture. It’s a different lifestyle, but I think if you at the start are able to be spontaneous and be willing to immerse yourself in things that you’re not used to, you’re really going to set yourself up for success and an enjoyable experience abroad..”
As the semester came to a close and June approached, the month of the Santos Populares celebration in Lisbon, the SiPN team decided to bring the festive spirit to the students on the Farewell celebration – one lasting memory of their time in Lisbon as students. Take a look at some of the snaps – Santos Populares SiPN
The wrap-up of the Spring 2025 semester and the launch of SiPN’s summer programs marked a special milestone: SiPN’s 10-year anniversary celebration, themed “A Mosaic of Stories.” This celebration brought together students & partners both from Portugal and the US, highlighting the diverse partnerships and programs that define SiPN. Together, these vibrant academic and cultural contributions formed a rich mosaic that reflects the unique spirit of SiPN’s decade-long journey.
