Economics and Business Management student Wendy studied at Catolica University in Lisbon in 2024–25. We spoke to her about her experiences living and studying in Portugal.
I spent a year studying abroad in Lisbon in Portugal, where I explored a wide range of new subjects.
They were mainly business and marketing modules. Some of my favourites were:
It’s so hard to choose because everything about my year abroad was brilliant! But what I probably loved most was the freedom to explore and try new things. I was always meeting new people, discovering new genres of music I’d never heard before, trying amazing Portuguese food, and even picking up new sports.
Every week was so different to the last, whether it was exploring new neighbourhoods, travelling around Europe on cheap buses, or learning something new in class. My exchange university also introduced me to topics like technology and AI, which sparked an interest that led me to a summer internship. I made the best friends this year and learnt so much - and I would recommend it to anyone.
I developed a range of skills, lots of which were soft, transferable skills.
My cultural awareness grew a lot as I travelled around Europe and visited friends from all over the world. This also helped me become more confident and open to meeting new people.
I learnt how to adapt quickly to new environments, and really enjoyed connecting with people from different backgrounds. Most of the time I was the only person from the UK in my friendship groups and classes.
Other key skills that I strengthened were my presentation and public speaking skills. I presented in class almost every week, which definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. Although I still find it challenging, I'm far more confident now, and much less nervous speaking in front of others.
Definitely! I’ve always wanted to live abroad, but my year in Lisbon made me even more certain about it. I loved travelling, meeting new people, and learning in such a different environment.
Academically, I discovered new interests in marketing, tech, and AI, which led me to apply for a summer internship at a tech company. That experience was amazing, and I know I wouldn’t have had the confidence or even the idea to apply if I hadn’t studied in Portugal.
The year also pushed me to become much more independent, and now I’m keen to do something similar again — whether that’s a master’s abroad or working overseas.
The biggest stress for me was accommodation and flatmates. I rushed into booking a random student accommodation and thought “this will do,” even though it was much more expensive than renting a flat. Looking back, I wish I’d taken more time to find somewhere local and affordable – I definitely missed out on the chance to live in a lovely Portuguese flat with friends!
My advice would be to join Facebook groups early and connect with people online. It makes it so much easier to find a place together and avoid the stress of ending up somewhere that isn’t the right fit. You can also ask Newcastle University (or even other universities) if they can put you in touch with other students heading to the same city.
And if you don’t find anyone before you go, make sure you only sign a contract for one semester — that way you can look for better accommodation once you’re there. I did this for my second semester, and it worked out so much better as I moved in with friends.
Interested in adding an international experience to your degree but unsure where to go? NUBS has several partners around the world, with teaching available in English in all destinations.
Here’s how to get started: