A welcome that dispels disorientation
Arriving in a new country always brings challenges, especially when one has not yet mastered the local language. Filippo confesses that his first impression was one of some disorientation, as he was unfamiliar with both the setting and the language, but this feeling quickly gave way to full integration. Thanks to the “Welcome Days” and the activities organised by the Faculty, the student quickly found his place among other international students.Reflecting on the most memorable moments of those early days, Filippo recalls the social life outside the classroom with particular affection: “The experience I remember most fondly was the third day of the Welcome Days, when together with all the other students we went to Matosinhos beach to surf all day, play beach volleyball and football on the sand, and, at the end of the day, have fun at a beach party at sunset.”
The challenge of practice and language
On an academic level, the transition from theory to practice was very positive. Filippo highlights the accessibility of the lecturers, who were tireless in translating course content into English whenever necessary and in closely monitoring his well-being. The subject “Attention and Perception” was the one that engaged him most, not only due to the lecturers’ interest in his progress but also because of the opportunity to work in groups with students of various nationalities.
Porto: A city of countless experiences
Living in Porto, voted the best Erasmus destination of 2024, proved to be an excellent choice. Filippo describes an international and vibrant city, where life happens both day and night. This experience allowed him a profound sense of self-discovery and the development of life skills.When asked what advice he would give to anyone hesitating to study abroad, Filippo is emphatic: “Stepping out of your comfort zone is always beneficial: it allows you to challenge yourself and develop soft skills that will be useful for the rest of your life. Living on your own for six months in a city and in a country you don’t know, with people who are strangers to you, is an experience that allows you to meet many people, but above all, it allows you to truly get to know yourself.”
One Word: “Change”
At 23 years old, the verdict on this journey at FEP-UCP is one of profound evolution. If he had to summarise these months in a single word, Filippo chooses “Change”, stating that, of all the experiences he has had so far, this was the one that left the greatest mark. The student now returns to Italy with a suitcase full of memories and the certainty that the challenge of learning in a different language and context was one of the most enriching steps of his path.
