One of the best experiences a student can have in relation to their studies is the Erasmus+ mobility program. At ISAG Business School in Portugal, I had the opportunity to spend the summer semester of 2023. The lectures I attended were very similar to those at my home university, where our learning would culminate in project creation to apply our knowledge. We had access to a wide range of literature and online resources that proved to be highly beneficial. However, what I enjoyed the most was their research center, which allowed us to be part of their projects with the title of “young researchers.” Some of the projects included research at the World Wine Fair – Essenica do Vinho, Serralves em Festa, and the Primavera Sound Festival.

The most fascinating part, of course, was the socializing and traveling. Thanks to this exchange, I formed lifelong friendships with people from all over the world. We socialized, traveled, learned, and helped each other. Living in a dormitory with 22 different nationalities taught me how to embrace diversity and showcase my own culture in the best possible way.

Porto is a perfect city for student life, especially for international students, as everyone is friendly, welcoming, and willing to help. Visiting a foreign country as a tourist is a completely different experience from immersing oneself in the daily life of a nation, and student exchange programs provide exactly that. I would recommend every student to apply for an exchange program. After some time and reflection, I realized how significant this exchange was as both an educational and life experience.