Two semesters abroad in Porto – a dream comes true

Alina fulfilled a lifelong dream: for her fourth and fifth semesters, the IBS student moved to Portugal. There she studied at the University Fernando Pessoa in Porto, immersed herself in the Portuguese way of life, and gained experiences that went far beyond the lecture room.

From September 2024 to June 2025, Alina spent her semester abroad as part of her bachelor's degree program in International Business Studies at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol at the University Fernando Pessoa in Porto. She lived in a fully equipped studio in a student residence about ten minutes from the university. This made her everyday life easier and gave her the freedom to gain new experiences outside of her degree program. The Portuguese coastal city quickly became more than just a place to study – it became a place of inspiration, new friendships, and personal development.

PORTUGUESE SIMPLICITY – TANGIBLE EVEN AT UNIVERSITY

Although the preparations for the semester abroad went smoothly and quickly, everything seemed rather reserved at first, which was also reflected in the communication with the partner university. Together with the contact persons at the International Relations Office of the FH Kufstein Tirol and the partner university, Alina mastered the application process and formalities smoothly. However, once she arrived, a completely different side quickly revealed itself: In her exchanges with her supervisors and new fellow students, Alina was welcomed by a warm and helpful atmosphere that made her start incredibly easy.

Right from the first day, she noticed how much more relaxed and lively everyday life was here. The days usually started around 10 a, with lectures in small, personal groups, which created a pleasant learning environment. The timetable remained the same every week, which not only gave Alina structure, but also sufficient free time to work on projects and presentations and, of course, to make new friends during extended coffee breaks. With lectures usually lasting only two hours, learning felt manageable and easy to plan. The diverse range of courses also gave her the opportunity to immerse herself in a colorful world, not only academically but also culturally, and to meet lots of new people.

Embark on an adventure with openness and flexibility

Organizing her accommodation and course selection early on gave Alina the security she needed to start her semester abroad feeling relaxed. This gave her more space to be open and flexible to new experiences. She recommends this approach to other students who are planning to spend a semester abroad. In her opinion, it is an important prerequisite for settling in quickly and really enjoying the new environment. As an additional tip, she recommends learning a few words of the local language. This not only signals genuine interest, but also makes it easier to make new contacts.

During this time, Alina traveled all over Portugal – from the famous Algarve region to the city of Aveiro, Lisbon, and Sintra. But it was Porto itself that captivated her the most. She was very impressed by the lively city with its proximity to the sea and numerous opportunities to meet new people. In her feedback, Alina emphasizes that Portugal not only met her expectations, but far exceeded them. She returns to Kufstein with new perspectives, personal growth, and a feeling of lightness – ready to complete her final semester.

Links:

University Fernando Pessoa, Porto in Portugal | Partner University
International Business Studies | ft