Language course instead of learning through an app
I had previously tried to learn Italian using an app. But I lacked speaking practice and eventually gave up. When I tried Portuguese, I found myself once again struggling to speak. Every conversation with a beginner becomes tiring for the person you're talking to. This time, I wanted to stick with it, so I planned to take a language course in Brazil. But the long, expensive, and complicated journey (I didn’t want to fly) discouraged me—so I opted instead for a language course in Portugal.
Preparation and tips
Even getting to Portugal is quite a trip. There was even a Flixbus that runs directly from Germany to Lisbon—but the idea of spending more than 30 hours on a cramped bus with little room to move put me off. Luckily, Erasmus+ participants can get a discounted Interrail ticket, and the train is the best option for long distances anyway. After some research, I found out that it’s possible to get to Portugal in two days: leaving very early for Frankfurt, then on to Paris, arriving late in Barcelona, and the next day continuing through Spain via Madrid, eventually reaching the final destination, Lisbon, at night.
The language course on site
My mission in Lisbon: learn Portuguese. I did this through an intensive course. Of the planned two weeks, I spent one in Germany with the flu—so unfortunately, my course was cut down to one week. But that one week was great. There were five of us in the course, and most of the participants had moved to Portugal. Thanks to my prior knowledge, I was able to keep up well and especially able to speak a lot. Afterwards, I went on a hike along the southern coast.
Conclusion
During my short stay, I was able to learn a lot about Portugal—through the language course and a bit of interest in the country’s recent history. I’m currently continuing my learning with an online course.
The opportunity to take part in the Erasmus+ program makes Europa-Universität Flensburg an attractive employer for me and, in my case, leads to a strong sense of identification with EUF. And it’s exactly these kinds of small incentives—created through offers like the Erasmus+ program—that add up to a good working environment and high motivation.