International Blog: Bethany in Lisbon: Feliz Natal!

— 23.12.15

by Simon Spode

It’s been a busy first semester in Lisbon. It’s been a completely new and interesting journey, and I’m only half way through.

Recently I’ve noticed a difference in the workload from Nova SBE in comparison to Sheffield, with mid-terms and lengthy group assignments, and also the much higher amount of contact hours. I have found some of the courses challenging, due to being a second year doing three courses intended for a third year, but I’m learning a lot in the process.

With regards to the second semester, I will choose four entirely new courses, so I’m looking forward to discovering what they will be like. As many of the students I’ve met so far will be heading back to their respective universities, there will be some emotional goodbyes. But I believe I’ve met some lifelong friends who I am planning to visit in the second semester, which is one of the massive advantages to studying abroad. This means that there will be more opportunities to meet new people as more students arrive for the second semester.

Studying only a two-and-a-half hour flight from the UK thankfully means I can come home and see my family and friends for Christmas. It’s a weird feeling to be back home after being away for four months, but a lovely one. I’ve been asked a fair few times on how my Portuguese is coming along and shamefully I have to admit my knowledge of only a few phrases so this something I’ll need to improve upon when I’m home for summer so as not to disappoint!

Feliz Natal (Merry Christmas) from Me.