Widad’s Erasmus Experience at ESCS in Lisbon, Portugal.
Today, we’re featuring Widad, an ICM student from Belgium, who had an incredible semester at the Escola Superior de Comunicação Social (ESCS) in Lisbon. Check out her story to see what she experienced and learned during her time abroad.
- What was your first impression of the host country and its culture?
This was my first time travelling to Portugal, and it was quite an eye-opening experience. From the moment I arrived, I noticed how different Lisbon was from what I had imagined. The city is vibrant and bustling with tourists all year round, which makes it quite crowded at times. Despite this, I quickly fell in love with the city, especially its pastries. While Portuguese cuisine isn’t exactly to my taste, their pastries are absolutely delightful!
- Can you share a memorable cultural experience you had during your Erasmus stay?
I got the experience the beautiful Lisbon architecture and explore the tile museum and best of all I had the chance to go eat at the best brunch places in town with my new friends.
- How was the academic environment at your host university different from Thomas More?
Another major difference from my home country was the class structure. Each class at ESCS is about three hours long, and attendance is crucial for your grades, which is quite different from the system in Belgium. Despite these challenges, the exchange program was incredibly rewarding.
- What challenges did you face while on Erasmus, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating the public transportation system. It took some time to get used to, but eventually, I managed.
- How did this experience help you grow personally and academically?
I learned so much about Portuguese culture and made some wonderful memories.
- Do you have any tips or advice for future students considering Erasmus?
I highly recommend anyone to explore this beautiful country and experience its rich culture first-hand. If you’re considering an exchange program or just a trip to Lisbon, go for it! The experience is well worth it.
